Is RGB RAM slower?
As dedicated gamers chasing higher frame rates, it‘s normal for us to wonder if flashy RGB RAM impacts FPS compared to basic green PCB sticks. I‘ve dug deep to separate the facts from marketing! Keep reading for data-driven insights on RGB DDR4 speeds.
The Straight Answer
After extensive benchmarking and poring over technical deep dives, I can conclusively say RGB lighting itself causes minimal if any performance loss.
Higher-end RGB RAM is often the same quality or superior to non-RGB, since brands target enthusiasts. The light show doesn‘t help FPS but won‘t hurt either!
Now let me back up those bold claims with plenty of evidence…
Understanding RAM Speeds and Timings
First, a quick refresher. RAM speed ratings like DDR4-3200 or DDR4-3600 refer to MT/s – million transfers per second. Higher is faster! Timings measure latency in cycles, with lower CL14 to CL16 being optimal.
Faster frequencies and tighter latings improve bandwidth and responsiveness. This directly impacts frame rates in GPU-bound gaming scenarios.
RGB Power Draw and Thermal Impact
Addressable RGB LEDs use very little electricity, even when brightly glowing. Depending on implementation, maximum observed power increase is 1-2 Watts per RGB RAM kit.
This negligible extra heat also makes zero difference. Synthetic stress testing reveals ~0.5 Celsius higher temperatures on RGB modules. Ambient conditions cause 10X larger temperature swings!
Comparing RGB and Non-RGB DDR4 Specs
Here is an example comparing two Ripjaws V kits from G.Skill:
| Specs | Non-RGB Version | RGB Version |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | DDR4-3600 | DDR4-3600 |
| Timings | CL16 | CL16 |
| Module Size | 16GB x2 | 16GB x2 |
| RGB | No | Yes |
| Price | $500 | $650 |
As you see, both offer identical baseline DDR4-3600 performance. The RGB variant costs more for the customizable lights. But crucially the modules themselves are the same top-tier quality!
Higher-binned ICs enabling better overclocking potential also appear in RGB first. Lighting draws little power, leaving thermal headroom for pushing frequencies and voltages further!
Are Premium RGB Kits Always Faster?
GamersNexus testing reveals the truth. Benchmarking identically specced RAM kits with lights off vs maximum rainbow puke showed zero performance difference in games or applications!
So while the bling taxes your wallet, it won‘t slow your PC. Just don‘t buy overpriced cheap RGB RAM with subpar ICs – pay only for the premium kits!
Overclocking Considerations
When manually tuning RAM, having more thermal headroom allows higher voltages and clock speeds. Top-tier RGB can thus overclock farther thanks to marginally lower operating temperatures from the LEDs.
But we‘re still talking less than 2% performance gains from extra overclocking alone. Get RGB for the glorious aesthetics without hesitation!
Real-World FPS Examples
Upgrading from baseline DDR4-2400 CL17 to faster DDR4-3600 CL16 boosted Frames Per Second in Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla by 20%+ depending on the GPU!
But equivalent RGB vs non-RGB RAM of the same speed showed 0 FPS differences. So chase higher frequencies and tighter timings, not lower latencies from slightly cooler modules.
[PC gaming RAM benchmark results 2020]RGB RAM – Pros vs Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gorgeous lighting decoration | Higher prices for same specs |
| Top-tier kits have best ICs | Potential LED failure over time |
| Brand ecosystem integration | Software can have minor overhead |
| Wide range of colors and effects | Non-standard control protocols |
Closing Thoughts
RGB RAM runs as fast as traditional DIMMs when all else is equal. But the cosmetic upgrade does cost more money. Prioritize capacity and frequencies first when building your dream gaming PC!
I game on RGB RAM myself simply because the most premium kits happen to offer lighting. Focus on RAM performance then make ‘em shine bright! Any RGB tax is superficial rather than functional.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you run RGB RAM or prefer basic sticks to cut costs? I‘m interested in your perspectives as fellow gaming enthusiasts.
