32GB DDR5-6000 CL30, 2x16GB or 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB
Buy CL30 when the premium is small and the kit is qualified for your board. Otherwise choose the cheaper CL36: the difference is two nanoseconds in first-word CAS latency, not a different bandwidth tier.
The decision
Which one to buy
32GB DDR5-6000 CL30, 2x16GB
Choose CL30 if it costs little more and the kit is qualified for your board.
32GB DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB
Choose CL36 if it is cheaper: the gap is two nanoseconds of first-word latency, not a faster bandwidth tier.
Cheapest new kit at Newegg: 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30, 2x16GB, $469.99; 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB, $459.99, $10.00 less. Prices checked 31 October 2026, before tax and shipping.
The comparison
What differs
1 of 6 fields differ. Both sides of every row come from a published manufacturer document, cited on the row itself, with what the difference does once the parts are in a case.
| Field | 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30, 2x16GB | 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB | What the difference does |
|---|---|---|---|
| First word latency | 10ns CAS latency10 ns CAS latencykingston.com | 12ns CAS latency12 ns CAS latencykingston.com | CL30 removes two nanoseconds from the first CAS response at 6000MT/s, a real but usually small distinction beside total system latency. |
What is identical: 5 of 6 fields
This comparison comes from published specifications, not from testing. We do not test hardware, and we never present a judgment as though we had. Current affiliate offers stay on category pages and do not determine this specification comparison.
In full
The comparison in detail
The speed, capacity, and channel layout are intentionally held constant. That leaves a narrow timing distinction and prevents a lower CL number from being mistaken for higher transfer bandwidth. Before enabling the advertised profile, read what XMP and EXPO do, and what they do not guarantee.
Prices: compare 6000 CL30 and CL36 kits of the same size on today's 32 GB DDR5 list before deciding whether the lower timing is worth the premium. Maker catalog: Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 (read 26 July 2026).
| Property | 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30, 2x16GB | 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36, 2x16GB | What it changes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motherboard compatibility | DDR5 motherboard required; 6000MT/s support depends on CPU and board | DDR5 motherboard required; 6000MT/s support depends on CPU and board | CL30 and CL36 kits have the same platform requirement, so validate 6000MT/s support before debating the timing. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Installed capacity | 32GB total | 32GB total | Capacity is identical in this CL30 and CL36 comparison, so neither kit can keep a larger working set in memory. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Channel population | Two matched modules, one DIMM per channel | Two matched modules, one DIMM per channel | The two kits populate memory channels the same way, removing channel bandwidth as a distinction between CL30 and CL36. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Transfer rate | 6000MT/s | 6000MT/s | CL30 and CL36 at 6000MT/s have equal theoretical transfer bandwidth, so the lower CL does not move more bytes per second. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| First-word latency | 10ns CAS latency | 12ns CAS latency | CL30 removes two nanoseconds from the first CAS response at 6000MT/s, a real but usually small distinction beside total system latency. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
| Operating profile | Overclockable kit settings require a supporting system and may use XMP or EXPO | Overclockable kit settings require a supporting system and may use XMP or EXPO | A stable CL36 profile is more useful than an unstable CL30 profile, so qualification and voltage deserve priority over the headline timing. | CL30, CL36, Updated 26 July 2026 |
Where next