How To Enable XMP On Your MSI Motherboard – LiquidSky.com
If you want to enable XMP on your MSI motherboard, there are a few things you need to do. First, you’ll need to make sure that your BIOS is updated to the latest version. Second, you’ll need to go into the BIOS settings and enable the XMP profile for your memory. Once you’ve done that, you should be all set!
It is a feature of someDDR3 memory modules that allows users to change the timing parameters of various memory devices, including CAS latency and voltage, in order to achieve better performance. To enable XMP, launch the Advanced BIOS and enter the XMP profile as needed. It is modeled after Intel’s EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles). The XMP Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) specification, which Intel developed, specifies how dual-channelDDR3 memory modules must be configured. By enabling XMP, you can change the speed of your memory so that it runs faster than it normally does. The XMP feature is an excellent way to maximize the value of memory modules. The Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) of a laptop allows users to increase the amount of memory they can use.
The result could be an increase in heat output as well as hardware damage. If you are overclocking your computer, MSI may be able to void your warranty. It is critical to keep your laptop’s temperature as close to normal as possible to avoid damaging it.
Select Ai Tweaker from the BIOS menu (or press F7 to access the Ai Tweaker section). By selecting XMP from the Ai Overclock Tuner menu, you can enable a profile that allows XMP. After you’ve confirmed that these are the settings you want, press F7 to exit Ai Tweaker and F10 to save them and restart your PC so XMP settings can be applied.
How Do I Enable Msi Xmp?
Credit: forum-en.msi.com
To enable MSI XMP, you will need to go into your BIOS settings. Once you are in the BIOS, you will need to find the ” overclocking ” or ” performance ” settings. Once you have found these settings, you will need to enable MSI XMP.
Once MSI XMP is enabled, you will need to save your BIOS settings and restart your computer.
Enable Xmp For An Easy Overclock
XPG memory can now be overclocked thanks to Intel XMP, which allows users to easily customize voltage and frequency settings. If you do not enable XMP, your system will continue to run at the same specifications as the system you are using, which may not take advantage of the faster clock speeds on your RAM. This is most likely to be the case in most cases.
Does Msi Support Xmp?
Credit: blogspot.com
Yes, MSI supports XMP, which is a technology that allows for easy overclocking of memory modules. XMP is a great way to get the most out of your memory and ensure that it is running at its best.
MSI is on track to be one of the first to do so. It will not be available for at least another day; rather, you should wait until this becomes available. MSI has announced a slew of new motherboard products as well as the A-XMP update on their website.
MSI will provide three new X370-based motherboards at a discounted price for users looking for more advanced features. The X370 Krait Gaming, X370 Gaming Pro, and X370 SLI Plus are just a few of the motherboards included in this list. MSI has a number of interesting boards for the B350 market that are well suited to the budget-minded user.
What Is A Xmp In Msi Bios?
XMP or Extreme Memory Profiles are a technology that allows you to change multiple memory settings in a single profile by selecting a different profile, allowing you to take full advantage of the increased memory speed available.
What Is A Xmp On Msi?
An XMP on MSI is a memory profile that can be used to overclock a PC. It allows for a higher level of stability and performance by increasing the speed of the memory.
The first method described is one that uses M-Flash in the BIOS. The manufacturers’ site contains the most recent drivers for the chipset,lan, and audio, but the sata is the only other option because it is the only one that is up to date.
Please include a picture of the cpu-z (freeware) spd tab if you want to share it. What is the best motherboard you’ve ever used? The new bios’ memory compatibility has improved, so get the most recent bios before flashing it. The first method described is the one used in the bios to flash memory. At the manufacturer’s site, you’ll find the most recent drivers for the chipset,lan, and audio.
Is Xmp Safe?
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. XMP’s performance will be severely hampered in the first place. Check that you have backup of your original settings before making any changes. Third, make sure your RAM is compatible with XMP. XMP profiles are not compatible with every type of memory, so be aware of this.
XMP can be used to improve performance on your system in a variety of ways. Allow it to function and enjoy all of the benefits.
Why Is There No Option To Enable Xmp?
There is not currently an option to enable XMP because it is not yet supported by the software.
XMP is a new standard and is not yet widely adopted. Once it is more widely adopted, we may consider adding an option to enable it.
Why cant I turn on xMP? Only in Windows 10 does it have the ability to disable disable no enable. Find a solution to the problem using Insider. The most frustrating aspect of the firmware is that if you enable an XMP profile or increase the memory multiplier, the CPU will automatically overclock. There is no such thing as an ‘Enhanced Turbo’ option, nor is there a single ‘disable’ option. The four turbo multipliers must be set manually. The XMP specification is intended to allow the RAM to run at its rated speed as opposed to the industry JEDEC specification of 2133, which was established in 1995.
You could manually increase the ram’s rated speed, timings, and voltage by just using XMP without affecting its speed, timings, or voltage. In EasyTune, a Gigabyte computer can now be configured to run at a maximum speed of 4.2 GHz. BSOD’s prefer to stay here, and it’s a good place to be.
Yes, you can run XMP mode on your computer at 2133, but this will not tell you if the memory is good enough to do so. Furthermore, it is possible to set it manually without using XMP, though XMP would do the same thing.
If XMP is not enabled, the value of SPD Ext will be blank. If XMP is enabled, you must manually set the memory timings on your computer after you have enabled it. When configuring your computer’s memory, you should think about several factors. The first step is to ensure that your computer’s memory type is correct. After that, make sure your computer’s memory is turned on. Finally, ensure that the memory timings are correct on your computer. Fourth, make sure your computer’s memory is properly set up. You should also ensure that your computer’s memory is compatible with your processor. Check to see if your computer’s memory is secure. In the seventh step, ensure that your computer’s memory is properly configured. It is a good idea to ensure that the memory on your computer is backed up.
On the ninth, ensure that your memory drivers are up to date. Finally, you must be familiar with XMP before using it. If you’re having trouble getting your computer to start up or if it’s running slowly, you should start by checking to see if your computer has the proper memory type. Your computer will not function properly if you do not have the proper memory type. You can also try enabling your computer’s memory by going to the Start menu. To find out if your computer does not have memory, launch the BIOS or UEFI and look for a setting called “Memory” or “Advanced Memory Settings.” If your computer does not have a BIOS or UEFI, you can still allow memory on it by following the steps below. Make certain that your computer’s operating system is already installed. The second step is to ensure that your computer has Internet access. Your computer’s BIOS or UEFI should be open at this point. You’ll find the setting “Memory” on the fourth page. Check the “Enable Virtual Memory” box if you want to use virtual memory.
Examine the “Activate ECC” setting. In the seventh line, make sure that “Auto-Select Dual Channel” is checked. The eighth setting must be “DDR3L-1866/1600/1333/1066/800” in the “Memory Type” window. The “Memory Size” setting should be set to the maximum amount of memory on your computer. You must now save your changes.
Msi Bios Xmp On Or Off
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best setting for MSI BIOS XMP (extreme memory profile) will vary depending on your specific hardware and desired results. However, in general, it is recommended that you leave MSI BIOS XMP enabled in order to obtain the best possible performance from your system.
Intel’s Extreme Memory Profile: The Best Way To Get The Most Out Of Your Ram
The Intel Extreme Memory Profile is a great way to maximize the performance of your RAM. Your system will run at its default specifications if you do not enable it; your CPU will determine how the system runs.
This will almost certainly be acceptable in most cases. As a result, if you do enable XMP, you may take advantage of the increased clock speed that your RAM provides. My framerate increased significantly with XMP. I used to be able to run Project Cars at 45 frames per second in rainy weather. Other games had a significant boost, with bf1 getting a noticeable boost as well, as it was a lot more stable and less prone to dips. If you want the most performance out of your RAM, enable XMP. You will have to adjust your performance, but it will be well worth it. Get in touch with memory. With this new feature, it is easier to overclock.
Ram Support Xmp Extreme Memory Profile
XMP is a technology that allows you to overclock your RAM to achieve higher speeds. It is designed for use with Intel CPUs and motherboards, and is not compatible with AMD CPUs or motherboards. Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) is a specification that allows you to overclock your RAM to achieve higher speeds.
overclock1DDR4 /DDR5 memory modules with Intel Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP) to improve the gaming capabilities of existing Intel CoreTM processor-based PCs.
BIOS or a tuning program can be used to load predefined and tested Intel® Extreme Memory Profiles. It is critical to recognize that vendor-specific SPD Fields provide value to end users and enable memory module suppliers to program their own capabilities. Intel XMP profiles can be selected in the BIOS after the first fail-safe boot and applied to all subsequent boots. Memory vendors create an Intel® XMP Self-Certification test plan to ensure that users have complete confidence in overclockers. Altering the clock frequency or voltage can have a negative impact on the processor’s life.
The XMP feature is a great way to increase performance without having to overclock your RAM. You can set the RAM’s optimal settings by enabling XMP on your motherboard, which will detect the optimal RAM settings and apply the changes automatically. You can accomplish this by saving time and frustration, while also ensuring that your RAM is running at peak performance.
How To Enable Intel’s Extreme Memory Profile (xmp)
If you’re looking for ways to increase memory performance, it might be worth your while to enable Intel’s Extreme Memory Profile (XMP).
XMP allows compatibleDDR4 andDDR5 memory modules to run at their respective clock speeds, resulting in improved performance. Furthermore, XMP is a safe way to overclock your memory that does not put your system at risk. You can check to see if your motherboard and memory support XMP by opening your BIOS and selecting XMP Profile. You will be able to use XMP if this setting is enabled, which means that your memory can be used with the system.
Guide to XMP Memory Profiles
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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First-time PC builders often shy away from tinkering in the BIOS (understandably). But, unfortunately, to set your memory to its rated speed, there’s no way around getting your hands dirty with so-called XMP Profiles.
You can quickly check whether your RAM is working at its rated speed. Open up your Windows Task Manager, navigate to the Performance tab, and select Memory.
Windows Task Manager > Performance > Memory
As you can see, the memory on this system is running at the rated 3600MHz speed.
If you see a number lower than the RAM you purchased had advertised, you have to dive into your BIOS and mess around with a couple of settings to get it working. Motherboard manufacturers have thankfully simplified this process to such a degree that you’ll only need to enable a profile to get your memory working at its rated speed.
Note – For workstation machines, it’s always best to avoid pushing memory clocks too high or tightening memory timings too much as our primary objective is stability.
Why Doesn’t Memory Just Run at Its Rated Speed?
People might wonder why you need to put in all this extra work to get your 3600MHz memory kit working at that 3600MHz speed. So why does it decide to drop down to a paltry 2133MHz? A processor that boosts up to 4GHz doesn’t require you to go into BIOS and mess around with settings to get it to 4GHz. It just works.
RAM is a bit more finicky in that regard. Although a memory manufacturer would like to guarantee all speeds they advertise, so much depends on external factors like power delivery, motherboard, and even the CPU’s memory controller, it’s almost impossible to promise a speed that works on every hardware combination.
That’s where the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standard comes into the picture. This standard sets the lowest bar that a memory module needs to meet, and that’s usually where your RAM sits when you plug it into your system.
Why? Because it’s a safe speed that will work with EVERY RAM, CPU, and motherboard combination out there. If your PC doesn’t boot when you plug in your memory kit, you won’t be able to tinker around in your BIOS and fix things. That’s why the standard exists – to guarantee a working machine.
If you want speeds higher than the JEDEC DDR4 standard, there’s no option but to overclock your memory kit. This sounds scarier than it is, honestly. It’s easy!
A 3600 MHz RAM kit, for example, is an overclock tested by the memory manufacturer and indicates its rated speed. However, it does NOT guarantee that speed to everyone. As I said, there are far too many variables involved for a manufacturer to definitively promise higher speeds or lower latencies.
What is an ‘XMP’ Profile?
XMP, or Extreme Memory Profile, was originally an Intel standard used exclusively on Intel platforms. Today, it’s become an informal way to address memory profiles for any platform. Some manufacturers use the terms A-XMP or DOCP on AMD motherboards to limit the ‘XMP’ terminology only to Intel.
Memory manufacturers now include these memory profiles, so you don’t need to go in and tinker with memory timings or voltages manually. Just enable it, and you’re ready to go. It’s a preset sequence of memory timings that will most likely work with that particular memory kit.
Note – Setting a memory profile does NOT guarantee stability. If your PC refuses to boot or constantly crashes after you set a profile, don’t panic. Just reset BIOS to its defaults and disable the XMP profile. If you can’t access the BIOS because your system won’t get a display, power cycle a few times until BIOS prompts you to reset settings to default/sets to default automatically and disable the profile.
Let’s go over the steps to set XMP/A-XMP using the ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock BIOS. The process remains similar for Intel and AMD systems.
How to Set XMP in ASUS BIOS
ASUS is a motherboard brand known to house several brands within its brand, so its interface varies depending on the product you buy (Prime, ROG STRIX, TUF, etc.). Here’s what a typical ROG STRIX BIOS looks like (in May 2021):
While you can set your memory profile using the ‘EZ’ mode, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the Advanced Mode (by pressing F7).
Setting an XMP profile in ‘EZ’ mode is, well, easy. Under the heading ‘X.M.P.,’ you’ll find your memory profile.
See the circled part of your BIOS page above. Navigate to it using your mouse/keyboard, and you’ll get a drop-down that has just two options. Select ‘Enabled,’ and you’re done! Next, press F10 and confirm to save settings and reboot.
However, I recommend using the ‘Advanced Mode’ to set your memory profile to familiarize yourself with the options there.
When you hit F7, you should see a page like the one above.
Here, head to ‘AI Overclock Tuner,’ and you should see a drop-down like the one shown above. Select XMP 1.
Once you’ve selected a profile, you should see a speed and its timings appear right under it. In our case, we know that Profile 1 or XMP 1 will set our memory to its rated DDR4 3600 CL16 speed.
Another thing you might want to look at is ‘ASUS MultiCore Enhancement.’ When enabled, it removes the power limits to keep processor power draw in check to ensure that it can boost as high as it can. The downside? A lot more power draw for a 5-10% bump in performance.
If you’re running CPU-intensive workloads like fluid simulations, I’d recommend disabling this option. However, if your work primarily involves working in the viewport, you can leave it on without worrying about excessive power draw.
How to Set XMP in MSI BIOS
MSI’s Click BIOS 5 is a mainstay across almost their entire lineup of mainstream motherboards.
As a result, you won’t encounter too much variation in the interface across their product stack. Even if the interface is different (MSI PRO series motherboards, for example), it’s usually only a color variation; the options and navigation don’t change.
Like most other motherboard manufacturers, you’ll see an ‘EZ Mode’ BIOS interface when entering the MSI BIOS for the first time. Setting a memory profile here only requires you to navigate to the top where it says ‘XMP’ or ‘A-XMP’ and setting it Profile 1 or 2.
Although you can set your memory profile here, I still recommend venturing into the ‘Advanced’ interface.
Once you hit ‘F7’ to enter the Advanced mode, you should see an interface like the one above. Next, navigate to Overclocking settings, and you should be greeted by a page like the one shown below.
Ensure that ‘OC Explore Mode’ is set to ‘Normal.’ Find the DRAM settings in the list. Navigate to ‘XMP’ or ‘A-XMP’ and hit the Enter key.
You should see a popup menu that looks like the one shown above. Select Profile 1 and hit Enter again. Both profiles’ memory timings are listed below the A-XMP option. That’s it! Hit F10 and confirm to save settings and reboot. Your XMP profile is set.
MSI also offers a neat ‘Memory Try It!’ feature that I quite like. If setting an XMP profile is not allowing you to boot, head on to Memory Try it. You’ll see it highlighted in Blue in the MSI_4 image. This will give you access to a list of commonly used memory timings and frequencies. Try setting one that sits below your memory’s rated speed until you find one that is stable.
If even Memory Try It! doesn’t work for you (extremely unlikely), you have no option but to dial in timings manually.
For setting memory frequencies and timings, head into ‘Advanced DRAM Configuration’ to bring up a page that looks like image MSI_7.
I won’t go into too much detail about dialing in memory timings here.
You can find more information about memory frequencies and timings in my Best Memory for AMD Ryzen article.
How to Set XMP in Gigabyte BIOS
Gigabyte takes a different approach to its BIOS interface, choosing to avoid the EZ and Advanced Modes confusion entirely. Of course, this might change in a future update. When you enter the Gigabyte BIOS, you’re greeted by a pretty minimal screen like the one below.
Here, head down to ‘Advanced Memory Settings’ to access settings related to your RAM. You should see a page like the one shown below.
Now select the top-most option, Extreme Memory Profile, and you’ll get a popup with a couple of options.
Select Profile 1 here, and you should see your choice reflected there. Hit F10 to save your settings and reboot. That’s it! Your memory profile is set.
If memory profiles don’t work for you (again, very unlikely), you will have to manually set the Memory Multiplier, Voltage, and Memory Timings on this page (shown in the image Gigabyte_3).
Change the ‘Memory Timing Mode’ to ‘Manual’ to dial in your memory timings and set the ‘System Memory Multiplier’ value until you see the Memory Frequency (MHz) you want to set.
32.00 Memory Multiplier = 3200 MHz Memory Frequency
How to Set XMP in ASRock BIOS
ASRock’s BIOS usually remains consistent across its product lines. A color change here and there, but most of the navigation options stay the same.
When you enter the ASRock BIOS, you should see a page that looks somewhat like the one above. Here, you’re looking for the tab called ‘OC Tweaker.’
On the ‘OC Tweaker’ page, you’re looking for a section dedicated to memory (highlighted in the image above). Here, navigate to the label called ‘Load XMP Setting.’ You should see the XMP profiles for your memory kit in a popup once you hit Enter.
Select Profile 1. That’s it! You can now hit F10 to save and reboot into Windows. However, in the unlikely event that that profile doesn’t work for your system, you’ll have to resort to setting the timings, voltage, and frequency manually.
You’re looking for the options called ‘DRAM Frequency’ and ‘DRAM Timing Configuration’ to set frequency and memory timings manually. But, again, I should remind you that it’s improbable that you’ll need to tinker with timings to get your memory working at its rated speed.
XMP Not Working/PC Refuses to Boot After Setting XMP
Well, that’s rough. It’s rare, but it does happen. Some CPU, motherboard, and memory combinations will refuse to run memory at its rated speed. You have no choice but to tinker with memory timings manually and get a stable overclock on your memory in such cases.
The very worst-case scenarios I have seen only involve minor tweaks like upping the voltage or dialing back a few memory timings. If you want a better understanding of how RAM timings work and what they mean, I’d recommend checking out my Best Memory for Ryzen article, where I have covered these topics in great detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Memory Overclocking for Workstations: Always a Bad Idea?
Anything that compromises system stability is not recommended for workstation systems, where hours of work may be lost due to a crash.
However, you do have to balance it with the performance gains you can enjoy with faster memory.
As a rule, we never recommend processor overclocking because the gains are too marginal to warrant the potential drop of system stability and added power draw. It’s not worth it.
Memory is a bit more complicated to address.
If you’re using your PC primarily for rendering, I recommend running and buying lower-clocked memory that you then run only at stable JEDEC speeds. A crash can obliterate that 20-hour render that was about to complete, wasting precious time when you could have started another project to render on that machine. It’s just not worth it.
On the other hand, active workstations (machines where you work in the viewport, etc.) would benefit from faster memory and wouldn’t risk too much due to potential system instability. If you’re sure you can trust yourself to save your work constantly, there’s not much downside to running higher speed, low latency memory that makes your viewport snappier and more responsive.
XMP Profile 1 or Profile 2?
On some motherboards, you might see more than a single XMP profile that you can enable. Although the timings offered by both profiles might look the same, there’s a critical difference between the two profiles.
Profile 1 loads your memory kit’s default XMP memory timings (CL, tRCD, tRP, tRAS – the sequence of 4 numbers you see after your frequency when buying a RAM module). But it keeps the BCLK frequency and other memory settings optimized for the motherboard you’re using. This is the profile that offers better stability but might come at the cost of slightly looser timings.
On the other hand, Profile 2 loads a memory’s complete default XMP profile, including all the advanced timing parameters. Timings would be tighter in this case, but stability mileage would vary from motherboard to motherboard. I recommend Profile 1.
Here’s an excerpt from an ASUS product manual where they explain the two profiles in some detail.
So, which one do you pick? Since we’re talking about workstation systems, stability is the most critical factor here. So, choose Profile 1 when enabling XMP on a workstation system.
Over to you
It can be complicated to wrap your head around XMP Profiles and getting them to function properly. If you still have questions after reading this guide, let us know in the comments or our forum! We are happy to help.
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Memory Try It from MSI! Take your gaming performance to the next level with the B560
Memory overclocking is one of the new features implemented in the B560 chipset. Unlike the previous generation of chipsets, which are limited to DDR4-2933 or DDD4-2666 RAM depending on the processor used, motherboards based on the B560 chipset can overclock the RAM, improving gaming performance by several times.
However, overclocking RAM is a rather complicated topic for ordinary users, because during overclocking you have to take into account a number of factors, including RAM voltage, processor voltage, ring bus, and timings.
Agree that in reality this process is by no means simple.
Fortunately, Intel’s XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) technology makes it easy to overclock RAM without fiddling with BIOS settings. Instead, memory overclocking is configured through a selection of profiles optimized by RAM manufacturers.
In addition to Intel XMP, memory modules can also be overclocked using the exclusive “Memory Try It!” from MSI. By choosing one of hundreds of profiles with overclocking settings, you can squeeze more performance out of the RAM modules than XMP allows.
In this article, we will teach you how to properly overclock MSI B560 motherboards with Intel XMP and «Memory Try It» features, and explore the benefits they bring to gamers.
Enable XMP on the motherboard
Entering the BIOS interface, you can see the XMP profile in the upper left corner of the screen. If your RAM module has two XMP profiles, then in the BIOS settings you will see two available profiles. Next, click on one of the available XMP profiles to download the XMP, or download it via «Extreme Memory Profile» from the drop-down menu.
After that, save and exit the BIOS to apply the settings.
▲ Activating XMP is easy: just click on XMP profile in BIOS
We tested the performance of several XMP modules using the AIDA64 memory benchmark. As it turned out, the bandwidth of the RAM directly depends on its frequency. In other words, the higher the frequency, the higher the bandwidth of the RAM.
▲ RAM bandwidth directly depends on its frequency
However, the response is not always frequency dependent. For example, DDR4-4000 module latencies are higher than DDR4-3600 because the DDR-4000 operates in Gear Mode 2, in which the IMS (Integrated Memory Controller) clock runs at half the memory clock speed.
▲ Latency reduced to 52.4ns in DDR4-3600 mode
RAM overclocking has a positive effect on gaming performance. The DDR4-3600 seems to be the optimal module for gaming, as it is 8-25% faster than the DDR4-2133 module and slightly faster than the DDR4-4000 module.
However, keep in mind that performance figures may vary depending on the game.
▲ GTA — Improved FPS with higher RAM frequency.
▲ Watch Dogs: Legion — FPS improved with higher RAM frequency.
▲ Forza Horizon 4 — FPS improved with higher RAM frequency.
Extra performance with MSI Memory Try It!
If you are not satisfied with the overclocking functionality of XMP, then the Memory Try It!
Memory Try It! offers over a hundred profiles with overclocking settings for various RAM chips from manufacturers such as Samsung, Hynix, Micron, etc. With Memory Try It! You can overclock memory using higher frequencies and tighter timings than with XMP. You just need to select the desired profiles and check the stability of the system. If everything is stable, then you can try to select profiles with higher frequencies and tighter intervals, continuing until the maximum values \u200b\u200bare reached at which the system remains stable.
▲ Get more performance out of RAM with Memory Try It!
▲ Memory Try It! offers optimized profiles for overclocking RAM
▲ Customize profile settings in Memory Try It! can be done manually.
Memory Try It! allow you to manually adjust the parameters, so you can achieve an unprecedented level of overclocking RAM. For example, taking the ADATA DDR4-3200 kit, we found it to be stable with the “DDR4-3600 CL16-20-20-38” profile. Then, we continued to increase the timings and found that the system remained stable at DDD4-3600 CL14-16-16-28. As a result, we managed to significantly reduce the delay from 55ns to 47.7ns and get an additional FPS gain of around 2-5% compared to DDR4-3200 XMP.
▲ Thanks to Memory Try It!, you can overclock memory using higher frequencies and tighter timings than XMP
XMP DDR4-3600 CL17-21-21-39
▲ GTA 5 – You can try to get more FPS using Memory Try It profiles!
▲ With DDR4-3600 profile set to CL14-16-16-28, you will get a 5% FPS boost over DDR4-3200 XMP.
▲ Forza Horizon 4 — You can try to get more FPS using Memory Try It!
Conclusion — Memory overclocking for better FPS
As our test results show, RAM speed affects gaming performance. Overclocking RAM makes B560 motherboards a bargain for gaming systems. If you have XMP modules feel free to overclock your RAM with XMP profiles. However, for even better results, we recommend using Memory Try It!
Note:
*Memory Gear mode:
Intel introduced Memory Gear with the 11th generation of processors. Two modes are available: Gear 1 and Gear 2. In the first mode, the IMS (Integrated Memory Controller) clock frequency is the same as the memory clock. In Gear 2 mode, IMS performance is halved.
Gear 1 mode has less latency than Gear 2. At the same time, RAM modules higher than DDR4-3600 only work in Gear 2 mode. You can select the appropriate Gear Mode in the BIOS settings using the «CPU IMC: DRAM clock» parameter .
XMP memory profile — how to set up RAM profiles in BIOS
Novice PC builders often avoid fiddling with BIOS settings (for obvious reasons).
But in order to tune the memory to its advertised speed, you still have to get your hands dirty with the so-called XMP profiles.
You can quickly check if your RAM is running at nominal speed. Open the Windows Task Manager, go to the Performance tab and select Memory.
As you can see, the memory in this system runs at 3000 MHz.
If you see a number less than what is advertised for your RAM, you need to dive into the BIOS and fiddle with a couple of settings to get it to work. Luckily, motherboard manufacturers have simplified this process to the point where you only need to enable the profile to get your memory running at its nominal speed.
Note . For workstations, it’s always best to avoid too high memory clock speeds or cutting memory timings too much, because our main goal is the stability of .
Why the memory isn’t running at rated speed
People might wonder why you need to do all this extra work to get your 3600 MHz memory kit to run at that 3600 MHz speed.
Why does he decide to go down to a measly 2133 MHz? A processor that overclocks to 5GHz doesn’t require you to go into the BIOS and fiddle with settings to overclock it to 5GHz. It just works.
RAM is a bit more finicky in this regard. Although the memory manufacturer would like to guarantee all advertised speeds, the depends a lot on the external factors of the , such as power delivery, motherboard, and even the CPU’s memory controller, so it’s nearly impossible to promise speeds that will work on any combination of hardware.
This is where the JEDEC (Joint Electronics Design Council) standard comes into play. This standard sets the lowest bar that a memory module must meet, and is usually where your RAM resides when you plug it into your system.
Why? Because it’s a safe speed that will work with with any combination of RAM, CPU and motherboard. If your computer won’t boot when you plug in the memory kit, you won’t be able to fiddle with the BIOS and fix anything.
That’s why there is a standard — to guarantee the performance of the machine.
If you need speeds above the JEDEC DDR4 standard, there is no other option but to overclock your memory kit. Sounds scarier than it actually is, to be honest. But, everything is easier!
The 3600 MHz RAM kit, for example, is the result of an overclocking test by the memory manufacturer and indicates its nominal speed. However, does not guarantee the same speed for all . As I said, there are too many non-manufacturer variables to unequivocally promise high speeds or low latency.
What is the «XMP» profile
XMP or Extreme Memory Profile was originally an Intel standard used exclusively on Intel platforms. Today it has become the unofficial way to access memory profiles for any platform. Some manufacturers use the terms A-XMP or DOCP on AMD motherboards to limit the «XMP» terminology to Intel only.
Memory manufacturers now add these memory profiles so you don’t have to go in and fiddle with memory timings or voltages manually.
Just enable the profile and you are ready to go. This is a preset memory timing sequence that will work with this particular memory kit.
Note . Installing memory profile does not guarantee stability . If your computer refuses to boot or keeps freezing after you’ve installed a profile, don’t panic. Just reset your BIOS settings to default and disable the XMP profile. If you are unable to access the BIOS due to your system not displaying the display, cycle the power several times until the BIOS prompts you to reset to default/set defaults automatically and disable the profile.
Let’s walk through the steps to set up XMP/A-XMP using ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock BIOS. The process remains the same for Intel and AMD systems.
How to set XMP in BIOS ASUS
ASUS is a motherboard manufacturer known for including multiple brands, so its interface depends on the product you are buying (Prime, ROG STRIX, TUF, etc.
) .).
Here’s what a typical ROG STRIX BIOS looks like:
While you can set your memory profile using «EZ» mode, I recommend getting familiar with the advanced mode (by pressing F7).
Setting up an XMP profile in EZ mode is very easy. Under the heading «XMP» you will find your memory profile.
See the circled portion of the BIOS page above. Navigate to it with your mouse/keyboard and you’ll get a dropdown box with two options. Select «Enabled» and you’re done! Then press F10 and confirm to save settings and reboot.
However, I recommend using «Advanced Mode» to set up a memory profile to familiarize yourself with the options available there.
Press F7 to go to the advanced BIOS settings page.
Here, go to «AI Overclock Tuner» and you should see a dropdown like the one shown above. Select XMP1.
Once you’ve selected a profile, you should see the speed and timings right below it. In our case, we know that profile 1 or XMP 1 will set our memory to a nominal speed of DDR4 3600 CL16 .
Another thing you might want to look at is «ASUS Multi-Core Improvements». When enabled, it removes power limits to control the power consumption of the processor and ensure that it can increase it to the maximum possible level. Reverse side? Much more power consumption for 5-10% more productivity.
If your workloads are CPU intensive, such as fluid simulation, I would recommend disabling this option . However, if your work is mainly related to work in the viewport, you can leave it on without worrying about excessive power consumption.
How to install XMP in MSI BIOS
MSI’s Click BIOS is the backbone of almost the entire line of MSI motherboards. As a result, you won’t run into too many differences in the interface of their product stack. Even if the interface is different (such as MSI PRO series motherboards), it’s usually just a color variation; parameters and navigation do not change.
Like most other motherboard manufacturers, you will see the «EZ Mode» BIOS interface when you enter MSI BIOS for the first time.
To set a memory profile here, all you have to do is go to the top where it says «XMP» or «A-XMP» and set it to profile 1 or 2.
While you can set your memory profile here, I still recommend taking the risk of going to » Additionally».
Once you press F7 to enter advanced mode, you should see an interface similar to the one above. Then go to overclocking settings and you should be greeted with a page like the one below.
Make sure OC Mode is set to Normal. Find the DRAM settings in the list. Navigate to «XMP» or «A-XMP» and press Enter.
You should see a pop-up menu similar to the one shown above. Select Profile 1 and press Enter again. The memory timings of both profiles are listed under the A-XMP parameter. That’s all! Press F10 and confirm to save settings and reboot. Your XMP profile is configured.
MSI also offers a convenient Memory Try It! a feature that I really like. If your XMP profile setting does not allow you to boot, go to Memory .
This will give you access to a list of commonly used timings and memory frequencies. Try to set the speed below the nominal speed of your memory until you find a stable one.
Even if Memory Try It! doesn’t work for your case (highly unlikely), you have no choice but to manually dial in the timings. To configure memory frequencies and timings, go to «Advanced DRAM Configuration». But, this is a topic for a separate article.
How to set up XMP in Gigabyte BIOS
Gigabyte takes a different approach to its BIOS interface, opting to completely avoid the confusion with EZ and advanced modes. Of course, this may change in a future update. When you enter the Gigabyte BIOS, you are greeted with a fairly minimalistic screen, as shown below.
Here go to «Advanced memory settings» to access settings related to your RAM. You should see a page similar to the one below.
Now select the topmost option, Extreme Memory Profile, and you will get a pop-up window with several options.
Select profile 1 and you should see your selection reflected in the settings. Press F10 to save settings and reboot. That’s all! Your memory profile is configured.
If the memory profiles don’t work for you (again, very unlikely), you’ll have to manually set the memory multiplier, voltage, and timings on this page. Change «Memory Sync Mode» to «Manual» to adjust the memory timings, and set the «System Memory Multiplier» until you see the memory frequency (MHz) you want to set. For example, a memory multiplier of 32.00 would give a memory frequency of 3200 MHz.
How to install XMP in ASRock BIOS
The ASRock BIOS usually remains the same for all product lines. Colors change here and there, but most of the navigation options stay the same.
When you enter the ASRock BIOS, you should see a page that looks something like the one shown above. Here, find a tab called «OC Tweaker».
On the OC Tweaker page, find the memory section (highlighted in the image above).
Here, navigate to the «Load XMP Setting» label. You should see the XMP profiles for your memory kit pop up as soon as you press Enter.
Select Profile . Ready! Now you can press F10 to save and reboot into Windows.
In the unlikely event that this profile does not work for your system, you will need to manually set timings, voltages, and frequencies. Look for the options called «DRAM Frequency» and «DRAM Timing Configuration» to manually set memory frequency and timings. But, again, I must remind you that it is unlikely that you will have to fiddle with timings to get your memory running at its nominal speed.
XMP is not working or the PC refuses to boot
This is rare, but it does happen. Some combinations of CPU, motherboard and memory refuse to work with memory at its nominal speed. You have no other choice but to tinker with the memory timings manually and get a stable memory overclock in such cases.
The worst scenarios I’ve seen involve only minor tweaks, such as raising the voltage or lowering a few memory timings.
If you want to better understand how RAM timings work and what they mean, I would recommend reading the RAM Latency article.
Frequently Asked Questions about memory profiles
Memory overclocking for workstations: is it always a bad idea?
Anything that compromises system stability is not recommended for workstations where hours of service can be lost due to failure. However, you need to balance this against the performance boost you can get with faster memory.
As a general rule, we never recommend overclocking a processor because the gain is too small to justify the potential reduction in system stability and additional power consumption. It’s not worth it.
Memory is a bit trickier to work with.
If you use your computer for rendering, I recommend using and buying lower clocked memory, which you will then only use at stable JEDEC speeds. A crash can wipe out a 20 hour render that was about to complete, wiping out valuable time that you could have spent on another project to render on that machine.
It’s not worth it.
On the other hand, active workstations (machines you work on in the viewport, etc.) will benefit from the faster memory of the and won’t take too much risk with potential system instability. If you’re sure you can trust yourself to save your work all the time, there’s not much downside to using faster, lower latency memory that makes your viewport faster and more responsive.
XMP profile 1 or XMP profile 2?
On some motherboards, you may see more than one XMP profile that you can enable. While the timings offered by both profiles may look similar, there is a critical difference between the two profiles.
Profile 1 loads the default XMP memory timings for your memory kit (CL, tRCD, tRP, tRAS — the 4 number sequence you see after the frequency when purchasing a RAM module). But, it keeps the BCLK frequency and other memory settings optimized for the motherboard you are using. This is a profile that provides better stability, but can be obtained at the cost of weaker timing.