Hi, 

Building new computer for MSFS. Just need the last advices for RAM:

1) 3200 CL14 14-14-14-34 or 3600 CL16 16-19-19-39? (The second one is cheaper) 

2) Which is better for overclocking with XMP profile?

3) What are the differences in performance (frames per second) between using XMP or using RAM at stock speed?

I also have MSI MEG Z490 ACE, i9-10900K and Asus Rog Strix RTX 3090 24GB OC.

Edited May 12, 20215 yr by harpsi

If I didn't I misunderstand the question, the frequencies you are quoting ARE with XMP profile enabled. What you call "stock" speeds are much slower and you will see performance degradation if you don't enable XMP profile.

Most likely you won't see any tangible difference between the two sticks. Sometimes AMD chips have issues when running some RAM sticks < 3600 but that's not the case with intel. Check the manufacturers compatibility list.

Latency on the two kits is pretty similar at ~8.8 ns, so I'd go with the higher freq (3600MHz) kit, all other things being equal.

In general, memory bandwidth, unless it's *really* slow, usually manifests itself in smoothness during periods of high CPU load, not in frame rate.  My best test case (in P3D) is the LAX area with Orbx SOCAL active.  Downclocking my RAM in that area results in a noticeable increase in stutters, though frame rates remain approximately the same.