What Are the Pros and Cons of Overclocking RAM?

XMP is the abbreviation of Extreme Memory Profile. It is a memory certification standard proposed by Intel in September 2007. It is applicable to DDR3 and DDR4.

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As we all know, memory modules can work above their default frequency. The preset frequency of the memory is not high, this is for the stability of its products. Gamers can increase their frequency to improve performance.

Due to player demand, memory manufacturers have produced various game memory for this purpose. The game memory has a strong overclocking capability, and the frequency can be much higher than its default frequency.

In addition to the default frequency setting in the SPD, the game memory also writes an overclocking setting to the SPD, so as long as the overclocking setting in the SPD is enabled, the memory can be automatically overclocked to the preset frequency.

In order to unify the overclocking numerical standard in the industry, and not allow each memory manufacturer to arbitrarily set a higher memory frequency value to be written to the SPD, Intel proposed the XMP certification standard. The XMP-certified memory will record the speed setting of the memory in the memory addresses 176 ~ 254, and it can save up to 2 sets of settings. If manufacturers need to get XMP certification, they must send the memory and the setting to Intel for testing, and they will be certified after passing.

After passing the XMP certification, in addition to the SPD value of the preset common frequency value, the SPD of the higher frequency setting is also written in the SPD. This higher-frequency setting can be enabled in conjunction with a motherboard that supports XMP, thereby overclocking the memory to improve performance.

To put it simply, there are two or more frequency setting files in the SPD of Intel XMP certified memory. As long as these preset XMP files are enabled in the motherboard, the memory module can be automatically overclocked to 1600 or higher. (Based on file settings).

XMP is basically the same as manual overclocking, so you can think of it as an automatic overclocking technology for memory.

XMP information can also be obtained by manually modifying the SPD.

Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP) allows compatible DDR3 / DDR4 memory to overclock, making performance beyond standard specifications. This enhances gaming performance on computers with Intel® technology. If you are an overclocker and you want to maximize the performance of your computer, choose Intel XMP technology-based memory to easily grasp the overall winning advantages.

Pre-defined and tested Intel XMP profiles can be loaded through the BIOS or through specific fine-tuning applications of the computer's operating system. Usually the easiest way to load the Intel XMP configuration file is to use the fine-tuning utility, which may be provided individually by the motherboard manufacturer. To find out if your system has a fine-tuning utility, contact the motherboard manufacturer.

Intel® XMP (Extreme Memory Profile), users can easily overclock the memory module. As long as you choose the profile suitable for the XPG memory module, you do not need to adjust other complicated voltage and frequency settings in the BIOS to achieve the overclocking setting And performance, the following items need to support XMP function before they can be set:

1.CPU needs to be Intel

2. The motherboard supports XMP

3. The memory module supports XMP, (please choose XPG memory module)

For each motherboard, the way to enable XMP is not the same. The following takes ASUS Z97 Pro as an example: After entering BISO, when XMP has not been loaded, the memory starts at a default frequency of 1600MHz.

If the CPU supports a frequency division of 6, for example, after enabling XMP, you can overclock the memory to 1600 or above without changing the CPU FSB; if the CPU does not support it, after enabling XMP, the CPU FSB will be automatically increased by the motherboard.