I was always wondering what the actual performance gain from tight memory timings is. OK, we all know that for example a lower CL value means a faster module, but how exactly does this really affect overall performance? Sorry if most of you already know the answer, but this was something still undocumented for me. Well numbers is my kind of thing so I found a 256MB PC133 module rated for CL/RCD/RP = 3/3/3, confirmed with memtest etc that it can tolerate 2/2/2 and ran some benchmarks.

This is not about absolute numbers and performance, but about the difference when only changing memory timings on the same pc.

PCP Player & Quake are from Phil’s DOS benchmarks package and the third is 3D Mark 99 MAX. Test system is a PIII 800EB / Via Apollo 133 / Voodoo 3 2000 / Windows 98SE stock. DOS benchmarks were of course conducted in pure DOS mode.