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What Is CAS Latency in RAM - CL Timings Explained - Tom's Hardware

CAS latency (CL) in RAM refers to the number of clock cycles it takes for the RAM to access specific data after being instructed by the memory controller, with lower values indicating better performance. Different RAM kits can have the same data transfer rate but different CAS timings, impacting overall latency. DDR4 RAM typically has higher CAS latency than DDR3, but its faster clock speeds generally lead to better performance.

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23 views5 pages

What Is CAS Latency in RAM - CL Timings Explained - Tom's Hardware

CAS latency (CL) in RAM refers to the number of clock cycles it takes for the RAM to access specific data after being instructed by the memory controller, with lower values indicating better performance. Different RAM kits can have the same data transfer rate but different CAS timings, impacting overall latency. DDR4 RAM typically has higher CAS latency than DDR3, but its faster clock speeds generally lead to better performance.

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09/04/2024, 14:03 What Is CAS Latency in RAM?

CL Timings Explained | Tom's Hardware

What Is CAS Latency in RAM? CL Timings Explained


References By Scharon Harding published March 9, 2019

(Image credit: MaIII Themd/Shutterstock)

When buying RAM, you’ll see listings for their timings, such as CL16-18-18-38 or CL14-14-
14-34 or CL 16-18-18-36. That number after the “CL” represents the RAM kit’s CAS latency,
sometimes called CL. But what does CAS latency really mean? And what implications does a
RAM kit’s CAS latency have for its performance?

The lower the CAS latency, the better

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09/04/2024, 14:03 What Is CAS Latency in RAM? CL Timings Explained | Tom's Hardware

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A RAM module’s CAS (Column Address Strobe or Signal) latency is how many clock cycles
in it takes for the RAM module to access a specific set of data in one of its columns (hence
the name) and make that data available on its output pins, starting from when a memory
controller tells it to. Another way to think of it is how many RAM clock cycles it takes for the
RAM to output data called for by the CPU. A RAM kit with a CAS of 16 takes 16 RAM
clock cycles to complete this task. The lower the CAS latency, the better.

CAS latency can be referred to in several different ways. A RAM kit with a CAS latency of
16, for example, can be described as CAS 16 or CL16 or as having CAS 16 timings.

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09/04/2024, 14:03 What Is CAS Latency in RAM? CL Timings Explained | Tom's Hardware

A listing for a RAM kit on Newegg.com shows the CAS latency is 18. (Image credit: Newegg)

It’s important to note that two different RAM kits with the same data transfer rate, for
example DDR4-3200, can have different CAS timings. Take the Team Group Delta Tuf
Gaming RGB DDR4-3200 and G.Skill Trident Z Royal DDR4-3200. They both have a
DDR4-3200 transfer rate. However, their CAS timings are different: CL16-18-18-38 (CAS
16) and CL14-14-14-34 (CAS 14), respectively.

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09/04/2024, 14:03 What Is CAS Latency in RAM? CL Timings Explained | Tom's Hardware

This RAM kit’s label shows it’s a C18 kit. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

RAM speed vs. RAM latency


While a RAM’s data transfer rate tells you how many mega transfers (1,000,000 data
transfers) the RAM can do in one second (a DDR4-3200 RAM can conduct 3,200 mega
transfers in 1 second), its CAS latency is also important for understanding RAM
performance.

CAS latency tells you the total number of cycles it takes for the RAM to send data, but you
should also consider the duration of each cycle to get a better idea of that RAM’s overall
latency.

While DDR4 RAM is newer with better storage density and power efficiency than DDR3
RAM, it tends to have higher CAS latency. DDR3 RAM usually has a CAS latency of 9 or
10, while DDR4 will have a CAS latency of at least 15. However, because of its faster clock
speeds, the newer standard has better performance overall.

This article is part of the Tom's Hardware Glossary.

Further reading:

Best Memory: Fast, Cheap & RGB


PC Memory 101: Understanding Frequency and Timings

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Scharon Harding

Scharon Harding has a special affinity for gaming peripherals (especially monitors), laptops and virtual
reality. Previously, she covered business technology, including hardware, software, cyber security, cloud
and other IT happenings, at Channelnomics, with bylines at CRN UK.

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