SOLVED: RAM not running anywhere near full speed

[greenlotad]

Just built my first PC using 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. I went into the BIOS and it says it is only running at 2133MHz though. That over 1000 less! I can't imagine that's normal, so what can I do about it?

[Gungpae]

Did you enable XMP Profile?

[johndms]

7 minutes ago, greenlotad said:

Just built my first PC using 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. I went into the BIOS and it says it is only running at 2133MHz though. That over 1000 less! I can't imagine that's normal, so what can I do about it?

There should be an option in the bios to enable XMP.  Might be in the Overclocking section.  Not sure of your system specs, but if that doesn't work, perhaps updating the bios will allow for greater ram compatibility.

[greenlotad]

Just now, Gungpae said:

Did you enable XMP Profile?

I don't even know what that means. How do I do that?

[Gungpae]

Just now, greenlotad said:

I don't even know what that means. How do I do that?

what motherboard do you have?

[greenlotad]

Okay, I went to OC settings and found A-XMP, is that the same?

[greenlotad]

1 minute ago, Gungpae said:

what motherboard do you have?

An MSI B350M Mortar Arctic

[Gungpae]

Just now, greenlotad said:

An MSI B350M Mortar Arctic

In the bios make sure you're in Advance Mode (F7 is the shortcut I believe)

Click on OC Settings button on the left and look for this:

[greenlotad]

6 minutes ago, Gungpae said:

In the bios make sure you're in Advance Mode (F7 is the shortcut I believe)

Click on OC Settings button on the left and look for this:

Sorry for the crappy phone pic, but this is what it looks like. I enabled a-xmp

[greenlotad]

It still says it's running at 2133 though, is there a second step?

[johndms]

11 minutes ago, greenlotad said:

It still says it's running at 2133 though, is there a second step?

Once you enable the XMP profile it should load the next time you reboot.. assuming you save any changes you've made.

[Gungpae]

11 minutes ago, greenlotad said:

It still says it's running at 2133 though, is there a second step?

making sure exit the bios properly. "Save changes and Reboot"

[johndms]

Also, make sure you're using the latest bios.  Ryzen boards have problems loading ram at correct frequencies on old/default bios.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B350M-MORTAR-ARCTIC.html#down-bios

Edited July 25, 2017 by johndms
Corrected URL

[greenlotad]

35 minutes ago, johndms said:

Also, make sure you're using the latest bios.  Ryzen boards have problems loading ram at correct frequencies on old/default bios.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B350M-MORTAR-ARCTIC.html#down-bios

Alright, I still haven't downloaded Windows so I'll update the bios after I do that. I post again once I see whether it works or not

[greenlotad]

19 hours ago, johndms said:

Also, make sure you're using the latest bios.  Ryzen boards have problems loading ram at correct frequencies on old/default bios.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B350M-MORTAR-ARCTIC.html#down-bios

Okay, finally updated the bios. Nothing has changed though, it's still at the same frequency

[johndms]

8 minutes ago, greenlotad said:

Okay, finally updated the bios. Nothing has changed though, it's still at the same frequency

I don't know what to tell you, then.  It's a very simple process.  Enter bios, enable XMP, select 3200 profile, save changes and reboot.  You could always try entering things manually... perhaps 2666MHz, 18-18-18-36 at 1.35v just to see if it works.  But if it's a 3200MHz kit, then it should have no problems if you're using the latest bios released three weeks ago, 7A37vA5.

 

 

 

[greenlotad]

12 minutes ago, johndms said:

I don't know what to tell you, then.  It's a very simple process.  Enter bios, enable XMP, select 3200 profile, save changes and reboot.  You could always try entering things manually... perhaps 2666MHz, 18-18-18-36 at 1.35v just to see if it works.  But if it's a 3200MHz kit, then it should have no problems if you're using the latest bios released three weeks ago, 7A37vA5.

 

 

That actually worked. There's this option called "memory try it!" And under it I selected DDR4-3200 16-18-18-18-36. Now it's clocked correctly. Thanks man!

[greenlotad]

Just now, greenlotad said:

didn't intend to include an old screenshot my bad

[johndms]

4 minutes ago, greenlotad said:

That actually worked. There's this option called "memory try it!" And under it I selected DDR4-3200 16-18-18-18-36. Now it's clocked correctly. Thanks man!

Great!  I'm glad I was able to help.  I'm surprised it still shows your DRAM Voltage as 1.216v.  Most ddr4 will increase to 1.35v when running at XMP.  If you have any blue screens, give that a shot.

 

Also, something I learned myself recently.. if you have a usb thumb drive, you can hit F12 while in your bios and it *should* save a screenshot to the drive.