When building your dream computer, you would naturally want to get the best components that fit your build. From the motherboard and GPU to the casing and power supply, everything is important when building a PC.
The one thing that can confuse you is the RAM. With the 3600 C16 and 3600 C18, the difference is negligible. While one is more expensive, there isn’t any noticeable performance boost from it.
Here we will put 3600 C16 vs 3600 C18 and see what would be the best bang for your buck.
Differences Between 3600 C16 and 3600 C18 RAM
Here are the basic differences between 3600 C16 and 3600 C18 RAM –
| Factors | 3600 C16 | 3600 C18 |
| CAS Latency | 16 | 18 |
| tRAS Timing | 36 | 42 |
| tRCD timing | 19 | 22 |
| Reading Speed | 23 GB/s | 18.6 GB/s |
| Writing Speed | 17.3 GB/s | 16 GB/s |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
According to the above table, the performance of 3600 C16 and 3600 C18 RAM are almost the same. However, the C16 ram is slightly faster and has low latency than the C18 RAM. So, the price of the C16 is also higher than the C18 RAM.
Now, let’s see which one is preferable for you below.
Which One: 3600 C16 vs 3600 C18
You might be thinking that since the 3600 C16 is an older model, it’s probably worse in terms of performance and much cheaper than the 3600 C18. But that is not the case here. In reality, it’s the complete opposite.
Both C16 and C18 RAM are configurable and have the same storage capacity. And both have a clock speed of 3600 MHz, which makes it even more confusing which one is better. What makes them different is the latency and the response time.
The C16 is a mere 1.1 nanoseconds faster to respond than the C18. The latency of C18 at 3600 MT/s is 10 ns while C16 is 8.88 ns. This results in a 1 or 2 fps difference while gaming. Even then it is so rare that you won’t ever notice it.
Our Pick
Even with all the performance checks and usability across different devices, we could not find a bigger difference than the 1 or 2 fps drops in 3600 C18. Be it for gaming or other heavy software use, it is really difficult to tell the difference.
But since the 3600 C16 is more expensive, we would suggest you go for the 3600 C18 instead. It serves the exact same purpose for less money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 3600MHz C16 good for Ryzen?
Yes, 3600MHz C16 is good for Ryzen. And it’s also good for any other processor out there. Due to its adaptability and higher performance, you can use it without any issues on Ryzen processors.
What does CL18 mean on RAM?
CL is the short form for CAS (Column Address Signal) Latency. CL means the shortest time it can take for the RAM to “respond” to the CPU, asking it for data at a specific location, or for a specified location, storing new data from the CPU.
Conclusion
Both the 3600 C16 and 3600 C18 are amazing at speed and performance due to their high clock speed. But if you’re building a new PC and you want to cross your budget, 3600 MHz C18 RAM is the one to go for. It will undoubtedly work wonders for you.
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