What's the significance with memory timings? I'm not really sure what it means or what to look for??.
Regarding memory timings, for the most part less is more or more appropriately lower is better so long as your system stays stable.
What about CAS ratings? What does all that mean?.
CAS (Column Access Strobe): A signal which tells the DRAM to accept an address as the column address. Used in conjunction with Row Access Strobe (see RAS) to select a bit of DRAM.
CAS Latency: CAS latency refers to the ratio between column access time (see Tcac) and clock cycle time. Since column access time refers to the period after the CPU requests a column, to when the data is moved to the output line, a lower CAS latency means less clock cycles to move the data to the output line. It is usually recommended you use the lowest CAS latency which your RAM and motherboard can run stable with.
DRAM Command Rate: DRAM command rate specifies the time to wait after a chip select before activate and read can be started. It is usually recommended you use the lowest command rate that your RAM and motherboard can run stable with. However, at higher frequencies it may be necessary to increase the command rate latency.
DRAM Queue Depth: DRAM queue depth specifies how deep row refresh requests can be queued. By queueing these requests, they can be issued in burst mode (see burst mode). This way multiple rows can be refreshed consecutively. It is usually recommended you use the highest queue depth which your RAM and motherboard can run stable with.
RAS (Row Access Strobe): A signal which tells the DRAM to accept an address as the row address. Used in conjunction with Column Access Strobe (see CAS) to select a bit of DRAM.
Tcac (Column Access Time): Column access time is the time it takes for data to be moved to the ouput line after the CPU makes a column request on the CAS line.
Tras (Active to Precharge): Tras specifies the amount of time required between an active command to a precharge command. Basically this means the number of cycles that must pass after a bank is opened to when it can be closed. It is usually recommended you use the lowest Tras which your RAM and motherboard can run stable with.
Trcd (Active to CMD): Trcd, also known as Active to CMD or RAS-to-CAS, is the time we have to wait between a row access request and a column access request. It is usually recommended you use the lowest Trcd which your RAM and motherboard can run stable with.
Trp (Precharge to Active): The amount of time from a bank precharge request to when it can be activated. It is usually recommended you use the lowest Trp which your RAM and motherboard can run stable with.
Extras:
Memory:Basics to Buying.
Memory guide presentation.
PC System Memory.
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