OC on Ram – Is adjusting the XMP profile that simple?
OC on Ram – Is adjusting the XMP profile that simple?
Hey everyone, I was wondering if this might be a bit of a stretch. I checked it out and it seems the idea isn't that straightforward right off the bat... I've experimented with CPU overclocking (just a hobbyist, not a specialist), but I haven't touched memory beyond setting the XMP profile and leaving it there. My rig has two 8GB Corsair LPX 3200mhz C16 chips and an X570-E Strix motherboard. The BIOS is already configured for the 3200mhz profile, and I'm considering jumping to 3600mhz. Would it really be that easy—just switch the BIOS profile and test? I'm aware the timing could be worse, maybe around C18 at 3600, so I might not see any benefit. Still curious to try and see what happens. Thanks ahead!
RAM usually comes with just one or two XMP profiles by default. Sometimes manufacturers provide additional preset choices (like MSI’s “memory try it”) which allow you to test higher speeds with minimal manual tweaking. Identify the RAM types in your Corsair setup by checking the barcode on the heatspreader beneath it; the first number identifies the maker, and the second indicates the die type (for example, ver 4.31 means Samsung B-die). Knowing your chip type helps you find compatible voltages and speeds. Begin by checking the DRAM voltage setting in your BIOS and set it to 1.4. Then apply the standard XMP profile for your RAM speed, such as 3200mhz. Gradually increase the speed in small steps (or jump to 3600 if preferred). Most boards will automatically reset if they can’t stabilize, but you may need to clear CMOS afterward. After that, experiment with different timings and you can easily adjust settings without losing too much time.
Extended catalog of memory dies from Corsair, organized by ver codes: 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.31, 3.33, 4.14, 4.23, 4.24, 4.31, 4.49, 4.40, 5.29, 5.20, 5.21, 5.39, 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, and Nanya entries with varying codes.
overall i think mem overclocking can be harder than gpu/cpu oc, but it's a good cheap way to squeeze out the last bit of performance on a rig (making a maxed out cpu even faster) Lately for entry level oc, the mobos seem to be tuned for gskill ram more than others in general, while some corsair sticks struggles to even run xmp. Still theres a decent chance that the oc will just work with c18 3600 at 1.4v. Ram oc typically adds another 3-5% to stock performance, though with recent platforms, having a dual rank setup seems to be more important than the oc itself (optimal setup is oc'd dual rank).
Thank you for your thorough response. It’s good to know I can view my RAM barcode from outside the case—it’s version 4.32, which might point to a Samsung B-die or OEM build. My RAM works with just the built-in XMP profile (or DOCP, as with ASUS), which is C16-18-18-18-32 from memory. It seems to auto-set the voltage to 1.4V, though I can verify this by booting into BIOS. I’m planning to test now because I just installed the 5800X, which is a big project involving a custom loop and adding another RAM stick while the system was down. I’m hoping to see if raising the voltage improves performance and notice any differences in CPU speed. @xg32, you’re welcome—no issues with the default profile, so I’ll gradually increase it one step at a time.
This page offers adjustments for a 4.32 RAM setup to reach 3600MHz at specific frequencies. It might serve as a solid base instead of rebuilding everything from the ground up. For more tips, check the forum thread here: https://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=190066