RAM Latency Calculator

Calculate memory latency from data rate and CAS latency

Calculate RAM Latency

MT/s

Memory transfer rate in megatransfers per second

cycles

Column Address Strobe latency in clock cycles

Select your RAM generation for reference

RAM Latency Results

10.00
ns
RAM Latency
1600
MHz
Base Frequency
Very Good
Performance

Calculation Details

Formula: RAM Latency = (CAS Latency × 2000) / Data Rate

Calculation: (16 × 2000) / 3200 = 10.00 ns

Memory Type: DDR4

Base Frequency: 1600 MHz (DDR doubles the effective rate)

Performance Analysis

✅ Very good latency - Great for gaming and professional workloads

Memory Module Decoder

Example: DDR4-3200 CL16

DDR4: Memory type/generation

3200: Data rate (3200 MT/s)

CL16: CAS Latency (16 cycles)

Latency: 16 × 2000 ÷ 3200 = 10 ns

Complete Module Label

16GB DDR4-3600 CL18-22-22-42

16GB: Module capacity

DDR4-3600: Type and speed

CL18: CAS Latency

22-22-42: Other timings (tRCD-tRP-tRAS)

Latency Performance Guide

6-8 nsExcellent
8-12 nsVery Good
12-16 nsGood
16-20 nsAverage
20+ nsPoor

RAM Tips

💡

Lower latency = better performance

Higher frequency can offset higher CAS latency

🎯

Balance speed and latency for best value

🔧

Check motherboard compatibility first

Understanding RAM Latency

What is RAM Latency?

RAM latency is the delay before your memory can start processing CPU data, measured in nanoseconds. It represents the time it takes for your RAM to respond to a data request from the processor. Lower latency means faster response times and better performance.

Key Factors

  • Data Rate (MT/s): Memory transfer speed
  • CAS Latency (CL): Clock cycles to access data
  • Memory Type: DDR generation affects capabilities

Calculation Formula

RAM Latency = (CAS Latency × 2000) / Data Rate

Result in nanoseconds (ns)

Example: DDR4-3200 CL16

Latency = (16 × 2000) / 3200 = 10 ns

Note: The constant 2000 comes from converting MT/s to MHz and accounting for the clock cycle time calculation.

Memory Types and Typical Latencies

DDR3

• Typical: 13-15 ns

• Speed: 800-2133 MT/s

• Legacy standard

DDR4

• Typical: 10-15 ns

• Speed: 1600-4000+ MT/s

• Current mainstream

DDR5

• Typical: 12-18 ns

• Speed: 3200-8000+ MT/s

• Latest standard