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Setting RAM Speed (XMP / DOCP) For Dummies

rammedrgb.png.298b6a0287f89abb5b330e697bbaed5c.png

 

1. What is XMP / DOCP and why do I need it?

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Simply put its the advertised memory speed for your ram (and some but not all timings) stored in a profile(s) which you can load from the bios. Its technically an overclock, by that I mean it’s not guaranteed to work on all motherboards however it’s not going to damage your system. Not all memory sticks have this feature and basic sticks will have what’s called stock or JEDEC profiles. If your PC boots successfully stock speed is pretty much guaranteed to work but is always slower than loading XMP / DOCP.

 

If you do not load your XMP / DOCP profile you will be left at stock (JEDEC) speed.

 

Having faster RAM allows your CPU to access the data it needs in less time. This results in higher performance in games and workstation applications, the amount will vary depending on the program.

The specs that determine how fast RAM is can be split into the following:

Frequency (mhz):

This is the number you see most often and is how fast the module sends and receives data. The higher the number, the faster the memory.

Timings:

The memory timings are given through a series of numbers (example 16-19-19-39). These numbers indicate the amount of clock cycles that it takes the memory to perform a certain operation. The lower the numbers, the faster the memory.

 

You can use this calculator: https://notkyon.moe/ram-latency.htm to provide you with an absolute latency value at every given frequency and cas latency combination, lower is better.

2. I turn on XMP / DOCP then my computer reboots a few times and goes back to default speed. Or won’t boot at all.

Spoiler

If it won’t boot at all try taking out a memory stick, if that doesn’t work you will need to clear CMOS (see your motherboard manual).

 

If your system is rebooting back to default settings, your motherboard is unable to load the XMP profile and is failing to boot.

This can be solved a number of ways:

 

Update your bios, as bios updates often improve memory compatibility.

You can also try one or more of the following:

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, increase dram voltage by 0.05v.

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, increase cas latency (under dram timings) by 1-2 (from 16 to 18 for example)

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, decrease dram frequency by 1-2 steps (from 3200 to 3000 for example).

3. My computer sometimes crashes with a blue screen of death after turning on XMP / DOCP.

Spoiler

Update your bios, as bios updates often improve memory compatibility.

 

You can also try one or more of the following:

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, increase dram voltage by 0.05.

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, increase cas latency (under dram timings) by 1-2 (from 16 to 18 for example)

Load XMP profile and before you leave the bios, decrease dram frequency by 1-2 steps (from 3200 to 3000 for example).

 

Common memory blue screen codes:

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (can be CPU overclock also)

4. How do I see my ram speed in windows? Can I use task manager?

Spoiler

Use CPU-Z’s memory tab (portable zip). Task manager is not reliable and MAY show incorrect results.

xmp.png.b8e830a82b08ee3190954eeea487c901.png

 

5. My ram speed is showing half my normal speed in CPU-Z.

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This is normal. DDR stands for double data rate, as the ram transfers data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. CPU-Z shows the raw clock frequency. Double the value you see for the effective speed.

6. My ram speed is a few mhz lower or higher than what I’m meant to be getting?

Spoiler

This is also normal. CPU clock speed and Memory frequency fluctuate slightly with your bus speed/base clock.

7. My ram in windows is showing that some (less than half) is not usable?

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If you have onboard graphics enabled it has to reallocate some of your ram to use as graphics memory, this is normal. If you want to disable onboard graphics you will need to disable IGPU multi monitor in the bios. Some Ryzen APUs can also adjust how much memory you want to allocate to the GPU from the bios.

8. My ram in windows is showing that HALF is not usable?

Spoiler

I don’t have a definite solution for this and it is NOT normal. Try taking both memory sticks out and swapping them around, this issue can happen when memory isn’t installed correctly. If that doesn’t work update the bios if you haven’t already. If you are mixing memory sizes or doing something strange that also could be the cause.

9. I’m looking to buy ram, what configuration should I buy?

Spoiler

Buy as few sticks as possible to get full channel support on your platform:

Mainstream Intel and Ryzen: 2 sticks

Intel HEDT and Threadripper: 4 sticks

This gives you the best chance at XMP / DOCP working without issues.

10. What if I want to upgrade my RAM in the future?

Spoiler

Then you have two options:

Lose performance now – and buy half the optimal amount of sticks. (You will have reduced memory performance till you buy the remaining ram)

Lose performance later – and double the amount of sticks. (XMP / DOCP is unlikely to work.)

 

Remember to buy the exact same memory that you have installed for best support. If you can’t find the same kit of ram you need to find something that has identical specs (same speed, timings, memory density) Avoid mixing ram sticks of different sizes in a single system, XMP / DOCP will almost never work if you do this.

11. What is a ram KIT and how does it vary from a single stick?

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A kit simply means that there is two or more of the same stick in the packet.

 

The product code may reflect this, for example take this 2x8gb corsair LPX 3000mhz kit:

CMK16GX4M2B3000C15

Corsair Memory

K = Vengeance LPX (D = Dominator)

16G (total capacity of all sticks included added together)

DDR4

Modules (sticks) in packet: 2

Revision B

3000mhz (higher is better)

Cas Latency: 15 (lower is better)

 

Which means if you needed or could only find single sticks then this model:

CMK8GX4M1B3000C15

Is what you would need, just because the product code is different, doesn’t mean that the individual stick(s) aren't exactly the same.

If you have any questions that you think should be added or changed please let me know!

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Also:

 

why the memory frequency stays the same as before after applying XMP?

 

what makes a higher frequency kit different from a lower frequency one?

 

4/10 for bare green sticks on the cover though, sticks with XMP profiles are almost always fancy enough to have heatsinks (or heat traps, depends)

CPU: i7-2600K 4751MHz 1.44V (software) --> 1.47V at the back of the socket Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Extreme4 (BCLK: 103.3MHz) CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 RAM: Adata XPG 2x8GB DDR3 (XMP: 2133MHz 10-11-11-30 CR2, custom: 2203MHz 10-11-10-26 CR1 tRFC:230 tREFI:14000) GPU: Asus GTX 1070 Dual (Super Jetstream vbios, +70(2025-2088MHz)/+400(8.8Gbps)) SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB (main boot drive), Transcend SSD370 128GB PSU: Seasonic X-660 80+ Gold Case: Antec P110 Silent, 5 intakes 1 exhaust Monitor: AOC G2460PF 1080p 144Hz (150Hz max w/ DP, 121Hz max w/ HDMI) TN panel Keyboard: Logitech G610 Orion (Cherry MX Blue) with SteelSeries Apex M260 keycaps Mouse: BenQ Zowie FK1

 

Model: HP Omen 17 17-an110ca CPU: i7-8750H (0.125V core & cache, 50mV SA undervolt) GPU: GTX 1060 6GB Mobile (+80/+450, 1650MHz~1750MHz 0.78V~0.85V) RAM: 8+8GB DDR4-2400 18-17-17-39 2T Storage: HP EX920 1TB PCIe x4 M.2 SSD + Crucial MX500 1TB 2.5" SATA SSD, 128GB Toshiba PCIe x2 M.2 SSD (KBG30ZMV128G) gone cooking externally, 1TB Seagate 7200RPM 2.5" HDD (ST1000LM049-2GH172) left outside Monitor: 1080p 126Hz IPS G-sync

 

Desktop benching:

Cinebench R15 Single thread:168 Multi-thread: 833 

SuperPi (v1.5 from Techpowerup, PI value output) 16K: 0.100s 1M: 8.255s 32M: 7m 45.93s

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4 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

why the memory frequency stays the same as before after applying XMP?

 

what makes a higher frequency kit different from a lower frequency one?

You want those answered?

I'll adjust the 2nd question and add another.

Quote

4/10 for bare green sticks on the cover though, sticks with XMP profiles are almost always fancy enough to have heatsinks (or heat traps, depends)

true time to add a THICC layer of RGB.

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12 minutes ago, TrigrH said:

You want those answered?

I'll adjust the 2nd question and add another.

Just questions I've seen asked here.

 

btw I'm talking about how Asrock and Gigbyte boards do not apply the frequency from XMP profile automatically, they only apply the timings and voltage. Frequency must be selected manually.

CPU: i7-2600K 4751MHz 1.44V (software) --> 1.47V at the back of the socket Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Extreme4 (BCLK: 103.3MHz) CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 RAM: Adata XPG 2x8GB DDR3 (XMP: 2133MHz 10-11-11-30 CR2, custom: 2203MHz 10-11-10-26 CR1 tRFC:230 tREFI:14000) GPU: Asus GTX 1070 Dual (Super Jetstream vbios, +70(2025-2088MHz)/+400(8.8Gbps)) SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB (main boot drive), Transcend SSD370 128GB PSU: Seasonic X-660 80+ Gold Case: Antec P110 Silent, 5 intakes 1 exhaust Monitor: AOC G2460PF 1080p 144Hz (150Hz max w/ DP, 121Hz max w/ HDMI) TN panel Keyboard: Logitech G610 Orion (Cherry MX Blue) with SteelSeries Apex M260 keycaps Mouse: BenQ Zowie FK1

 

Model: HP Omen 17 17-an110ca CPU: i7-8750H (0.125V core & cache, 50mV SA undervolt) GPU: GTX 1060 6GB Mobile (+80/+450, 1650MHz~1750MHz 0.78V~0.85V) RAM: 8+8GB DDR4-2400 18-17-17-39 2T Storage: HP EX920 1TB PCIe x4 M.2 SSD + Crucial MX500 1TB 2.5" SATA SSD, 128GB Toshiba PCIe x2 M.2 SSD (KBG30ZMV128G) gone cooking externally, 1TB Seagate 7200RPM 2.5" HDD (ST1000LM049-2GH172) left outside Monitor: 1080p 126Hz IPS G-sync

 

Desktop benching:

Cinebench R15 Single thread:168 Multi-thread: 833 

SuperPi (v1.5 from Techpowerup, PI value output) 16K: 0.100s 1M: 8.255s 32M: 7m 45.93s

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19 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

btw I'm talking about how Asrock and Gigbyte boards do not apply the frequency from XMP profile automatically, they only apply the timings and voltage. Frequency must be selected manually.

What is the newest motherboard you have used that does this? I'm pretty sure that isn't normal behavior on modern boards? 

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4 minutes ago, TrigrH said:

What is the newest motherboard you have used that does this? I'm pretty sure that isn't normal behavior on modern boards? 

Gigabyte B450... Gaming X I think?

 

and this doesnt seem to be the case on Intel platforms, My Z77 Asrock board automatically sets frequency but 970 extreme4 doesn't.

CPU: i7-2600K 4751MHz 1.44V (software) --> 1.47V at the back of the socket Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Extreme4 (BCLK: 103.3MHz) CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 RAM: Adata XPG 2x8GB DDR3 (XMP: 2133MHz 10-11-11-30 CR2, custom: 2203MHz 10-11-10-26 CR1 tRFC:230 tREFI:14000) GPU: Asus GTX 1070 Dual (Super Jetstream vbios, +70(2025-2088MHz)/+400(8.8Gbps)) SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB (main boot drive), Transcend SSD370 128GB PSU: Seasonic X-660 80+ Gold Case: Antec P110 Silent, 5 intakes 1 exhaust Monitor: AOC G2460PF 1080p 144Hz (150Hz max w/ DP, 121Hz max w/ HDMI) TN panel Keyboard: Logitech G610 Orion (Cherry MX Blue) with SteelSeries Apex M260 keycaps Mouse: BenQ Zowie FK1

 

Model: HP Omen 17 17-an110ca CPU: i7-8750H (0.125V core & cache, 50mV SA undervolt) GPU: GTX 1060 6GB Mobile (+80/+450, 1650MHz~1750MHz 0.78V~0.85V) RAM: 8+8GB DDR4-2400 18-17-17-39 2T Storage: HP EX920 1TB PCIe x4 M.2 SSD + Crucial MX500 1TB 2.5" SATA SSD, 128GB Toshiba PCIe x2 M.2 SSD (KBG30ZMV128G) gone cooking externally, 1TB Seagate 7200RPM 2.5" HDD (ST1000LM049-2GH172) left outside Monitor: 1080p 126Hz IPS G-sync

 

Desktop benching:

Cinebench R15 Single thread:168 Multi-thread: 833 

SuperPi (v1.5 from Techpowerup, PI value output) 16K: 0.100s 1M: 8.255s 32M: 7m 45.93s

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pretty nice to thread. now htat people ask these questions i can just ink this post 

QUOTE ME  FOR ANSWER.

 

Main PC:

Spoiler

|Ryzen 7 3700x, OC to 4.2ghz @1.3V, 67C, or 4.4ghz @1.456V, 87C || Asus strix 5700 XT, +50 core, +50 memory, +50 power (not a great overclocker) || Asus Strix b550-A || G.skill trident Z Neo rgb 32gb 3600mhz cl16-19-19-19-39, oc to 3733mhz with the same timings || Cooler Master ml360 RGB AIO || Phanteks P500A Digital || Thermaltake ToughPower grand RGB750w 80+gold || Samsung 850 250gb and Adata SX 6000 Lite 500gb || Toshiba 5400rpm 1tb || Asus Rog Theta 7.1 || Asus Rog claymore || Asus Gladius 2 origin gaming mouse || Monitor 1 Asus 1080p 144hz || Monitor 2 AOC 1080p 75hz || 

Test Rig.

Spoiler

Ryzen 5 3400G || Gigabyte b450 S2H || Hyper X fury 2x4gb 2666mhz cl 16 ||Stock cooler || Antec NX100 || Silverstone essential 400w || Transgend SSD 220s 480gb ||

Just Sold

Spoiler

| i3 9100F || Msi Gaming X gtx 1050 TI || MSI Z390 A-Pro || Kingston 1x16gb 2400mhz cl17 || Stock cooler || Kolink Horizon RGB || Corsair CV 550w || Pny CS900 120gb ||

 

Tier lists for building a PC.

 

Motherboard tier list. Tier A for overclocking 5950x. Tier B for overclocking 5900x, Tier C for overclocking 5800X. Tier D for overclocking 5600X. Tier F for 4/6 core Cpus at stock. Tier E avoid.

(Also case airflow matter or if you are using Downcraft air cooler)

Spoiler

 

Gpu tier list. Rtx 3000 and RX 6000 not included since not so many reviews. Tier S for Water cooling. Tier A and B for overcloking. Tier C stock and Tier D avoid.

( You can overclock Tier C just fine, but it can get very loud, that is why it is not recommended for overclocking, same with tier D)

Spoiler

 

Psu tier List. Tier A for Rtx 3000, Vega and RX 6000. Tier B For anything else. Tier C cheap/IGPU. Tier D and E avoid.

(RTX 3000/ RX 6000 Might run just fine with higher wattage tier B unit, Rtx 3070 runs fine with tier B units)

Spoiler

 

Cpu cooler tier list. Tier 1&2 for power hungry Cpus with Overclock. Tier 3&4 for overclocking Ryzen 3,5,7 or lower power Intel Cpus. Tier 5 for overclocking low end Cpus or 4/6 core Ryzen. Tier 6&7 for stock. Tier 8&9 Ryzen stock cooler performance. Do not waste your money!

Spoiler

 

Storage tier List. Tier A for Moving files/  OS. Tier B for OS/Games. Tier C for games. Tier D budget Pcs. Tier E if on sale not the worst but not good.

(With a grain of salt, I use tier C for OS myself)

Spoiler

 

Case Tier List. Work In Progress. Most Phanteks airflow series cases already done!

Ask me anything :)

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 year later...

no

Screenshot_2021-11-11-05-49-52-172_com.android.chrome.jpg

                         Dream build:

Spoiler

 

Intel Core i5-10600K | GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS ELITE | Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L| RGB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro  16GB (2x8) CL18 3600MHz |

Intel 660P 512GB NVMe | Kingston A400 SSDNow 480GB 2.5" | WD "Caviar" Blue 1TB 7200RPM 3.5" | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Super Gaming EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G+ | THERMALTAKE RGB H200 USB 3.0 |

Peripherals:

Keyboard: Corsair K65 RGB Rapidfire

Mouse: Corsair Harpoon RGB Pro

Monitors:

(1) LG 27'" 27Gl650F-B 144hz 1ms IPS G-Sync Pivot 3

(2) Acer Predator XB241YUbmiprz 23.8" 144Hz 1ms G-Sync

Headset:

Kingston HyperX HX-HSCSC2-BK-WW Cloud Stinger Core 

 

 

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  • 1 year later...

Due to no signal output I've found out that my RAM is not listed on the gigabyte list for my motherboard's supported RAM. Is this the reason why I get no video signal or is this issue GPU related?

 

Motherboard: B550 aorus elite v2 (rev 1.0)

RAM: G.SKill 32GB Ripjaw 3600 (F4-3600C18D-32GVK)

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