Is boosting my RAM's speed still a good idea?
Is boosting my RAM's speed still a good idea?
I'm using a Ryzen 5 2600, an MSI RX 2060 gaming Z, a 16GB Corsair Vengeance LX 3000MHz C15 kit (8x2), and an MSI X470 gaming plus. I've been considering overclocking my RAM with XMP presets and am unsure if it could harm anything or actually bring any benefits. Additionally, I'm wondering whether overclocking RAM is unnecessary if I also don't overclock the CPU.
The built-in XMP profiles are limited to 3000MHz. Do you have that available? You should. Overclocking the RAM would exceed this limit manually, and no preset will be effective—it needs some experimentation. Personally, I think the best you can achieve is around 3200MHz, which I believe isn't worth the effort.
Run it at 3000, your RAM can handle it and lowering it will limit your performance.
Overclocking with XMP definitely won't cause harm because the manufacturer preloaded XMP presets as a verified operating condition. The faster data transfer from overclocked RAM pairs well with the quicker CPU performance, making it clearly beneficial.
Current hardware is significantly more refined at launch than older models, so typical overclocking efforts by average users usually offer only minor gains rather than major leaps. Whether you perceive any difference depends on your workload and often only shows up in precise tests. Still, even tiny enhancements are valuable when they come as simply as activating an XMP profile.
It offers good performance value when paired with high-quality RAM and precise clock settings. It’s also important to further refine the timing yourself. The investment seems worthwhile, especially if you can secure superior RAM with strict timing requirements.
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One user shared an example: 3200Mhz at 14-14-14-34 with a 1.35v clock speed, achieving up to 3400Mhz with tighter timings (14, 16, 16,16).
Another comment mentions overclocking this kit to reach 3600Mhz with looser timings (14, 16, 16,16) and notes the need for a balance between timing and frequency for optimal gaming performance.
For achieving 3800Mhz, some kits require 1.5 volts to boot, but tighter timings at CL15 with 1.45volts were possible. Finding a good mix of stable timing and higher frequency is key to maximizing frame rates.
With Ryzen 3000 chips, simply improving the RAM latency from 66ns to 63ns at 3800Mhz can boost performance significantly. Be mindful of voltage levels—excessive voltage can damage the RAM.
ZX128k I'm pleased you shared the flare x, as I have a photo of it from a 3200 fast Ryzen dram calculator and a 3400 fast one from Aida64 Extreme OP Look at the top row across the top for just a 200mhz boost.
View: https://imgur.com/a/2UT3iJw
Appreciate the performance you're seeing. The best I've managed is 63.2ns using the Ryzen 3800x IF1900 3800CL15.
Well that was before I purchased some Trident Z Royal Gold 2x8 3600 cl16 16 16 16 36 for when I need a 3600 or 3700x. But I managed to get the 3600 working with my 2600x. OP, you can improve performance just by adjusting your XMP and frequency settings. That won’t affect any of your components. Here’s the link: https://imgur.com/a/gzApdMF View: https://imgur.com/a/gzApdMF