Whether you're an avid PC gamer or are planning to purchase your first gaming computer, you'll need the right equipment. The random access memory (RAM) sticks that you choose for the device are significant components that affect the computer's functionality. While many people believe that RAM with a higher speed is automatically better, this is not always true. Below are answers to common questions about these parts to help you select the best option.

What You Should Know About RAM Speed for Gaming Computers

What does RAM speed mean?

RAM is a type of storage that the computer processing unit (CPU) uses. Data from a program triggers the hard drive to send relevant information to the RAM, temporarily storing the data. This allows the processor to quickly access the program without relying on the hard drive directly. The speed of the RAM is how long it takes to get information from the hard drive and respond to it.

Why does computer speed matter for gaming?

The faster the RAM is, the quicker it will transfer information to other components and programs. Since it connects multiple parts, it improves gaming performance. However, having a fast RAM speed doesn't always immediately improve the performance of a PC game. Instead, having a higher RAM capacity is usually more beneficial because it gives the game more memory. If a game works better at a higher bandwidth, you'll likely only get a few extra frames per second that don't significantly affect your experience.

How do you choose the best RAM speed?

Make sure your PC has the appropriate RAM speed by paying attention to the minimum requirements of the CPU and motherboard. Installing RAM outside of the recommended specifications will reduce the system's performance. Additionally, some motherboards cannot support certain RAM speeds at all, which can cause the computer to have issues starting, preventing you from using it.

What are the differences between latency and frequency?

Frequency is an aspect of the RAM speed equation that works off the clock's cycles. It refers to how many commands the RAM can handle in a second. Frequency is usually included with the RAM specs following the double data rate (DDR), which indicates how quickly the motherboard can transfer two bits of data for each clock cycle.

Latency refers to how long the equipment needs to input data. For memory, it is the number of clock cycles the RAM needs to transfer information to the CPU after it requests the data. High-performance gaming computers usually have RAM with shorter latency, improving the system's efficiency.

When you want to build a new gaming computer with the best RAM available, contact SKR Custom Gaming Computers. Based in Maryville, TN, this company specializes in building computers, and they ship to customers throughout the country. Whether you want a pre-built system or want to customize the entire computer, they can help. Call (865)738-5620 to speak with a team member, and visit them online to start building your gaming computer.