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The Impact of Memory Latency Explored
EconolineCrush writes "Memory module manufacturers have been pushing high-end DIMMs for a while now, complete with fancy heat spreaders and claims of better performance through lower memory latencies. Lowering memory latencies is a good thing, of course, but low-latency modules typically cost twice as much as standard DIMMs. The Tech Report has explored the performance benefits of low-latency memory modules, and the results are enlightening. They could even save you some money."
... Is not memory performance as such, but system performance. If a 5 percent increase in system performance increases the cost of your system by 10 percent, you have to want it pretty badly or be on the edge of required performance or just be in a schoolyard comparison. But if it's reversed, and a 10 percent increase in system performance can be had for a 5 percent increase in system price, then if you can afford the 5 percent (say $100 for a $2000 system), go for it.
-- Jim Crigler In 1937, I began, like Lazarus, the impossible return. -- Whittaker Chambers
These products are not for people who want to achieve a useable level of performance and as such are not marketed at those crowds. They are for people who have already fast equipment but want more. I won't say this is a good or bad thing as it is simply a hobby for most of these people. Just like import tuners: they may drive funny-looking cars, but it's their choice of hobby.
I wouldn't buy a $500 card either but, sheesh, at least they're faster than the cheap ones. This low-latency memory is twice the price for a ~3% boost... I think not.
This isn't all that funny. I mean, it does make me laugh, but it's far more true than humorous. I constantly get berated by the 'hardcore' gamers for not having the fastest CPU/RAM/GPU/HD when I can still run a lot of games just as well as anyone else. The problem with hardcore gaming equipment is that it has become something like MTV selling you 'cool'.
Guess what? That wicked dual-core CPU actually runs games slower than its single core cousin. That brand-spankin' new video card that cost you $400(or more)? I pay that much once every several years on my video card. The difference is that I don't care if I squeeze out my maximum frames per second because most people can't even detect the difference if the game didn't have an option to show the number in the corner of the screen like some veritable rating of thier manhood (sorry for my gender bias on that). And that super ultra OHMYFUCKINGGODITMAKESMYEXPLODEITSSOFAST low-latency RAM is giving you a performance boost of 2% of what I've got now.
I find it educational to read these reports so I can make educated purchasing choices. For that, I'm quite grateful. However, I find it kind of sad that the parent post is unsettlingly accurate in that the 'hardcore pc gamers' will shove this to the side for the ATI SXL 10G Super Elite XTRME Pro card next week. Witness what happens when PC gaming meets MTV-esque marketing.
Perfecting Discordia
www.stevenvansickle.com
You seemed to have missed the point that 'a lot of games' does not mean 'all games', 'any games', or any derivative thereof. And honestly, the point of my post is that I'm willing to sacrifice some detail and put my settings at 75-80% instead of maxed-out if it'll save me from spending close to a thousand dollars a year in upgrades.
Perfecting Discordia
www.stevenvansickle.com