RAM Latency Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter the CAS latency (CL) value from your RAM specifications (e.g., CL16, CL18).
2. Enter the memory speed in MHz (e.g., DDR4-3200 = 3200 MHz).
3. The calculator displays the actual latency in nanoseconds and shows the calculation breakdown.
4. Use this to compare RAM modules and understand memory performance.

RAM Latency Formula

RAM latency is calculated from CAS latency and memory speed:

Example: CAS 16 at 3200 MHz: Cycle time = 1/(3200/2) × 1000 = 0.625 ns. Latency = 16 × 0.625 = 10 ns. Note: DDR (Double Data Rate) means data transfers on both clock edges, so effective speed is half the MHz value.

Full Description

RAM latency is a critical performance metric that measures how long it takes for memory to respond to data requests. It's often expressed as CAS latency (CL), which is the number of clock cycles, but the actual latency in nanoseconds depends on both CAS latency and memory speed. Understanding actual latency helps you compare different RAM modules and choose the best performance for your system.

CAS latency (Column Address Strobe latency) is the number of clock cycles between a read command and data availability. However, the actual time depends on the clock period. Higher speed memory has shorter clock periods, so a higher CAS latency at higher speed may have similar or better actual latency than lower CAS latency at lower speed. This is why calculating actual latency in nanoseconds is important for accurate comparison.

This calculator helps you determine actual RAM latency. Enter CAS latency and memory speed, and it calculates the latency in nanoseconds. Use it when comparing RAM modules, understanding memory performance, or choosing the best RAM for your system. Lower latency generally means better performance, especially for latency-sensitive applications like gaming and real-time processing.

Frequently Asked Questions