Only operating at 2400MHz in this model.
Only operating at 2400MHz in this model.
I bought a tailored machine via NZXT's BLD service roughly six months back and have been enjoying it. I’m familiar with PC construction, but the ease of paying the $100 warranty and having someone manage cabling was quite attractive. To be clear, I’m not new to assembling systems and wasn’t just asking about a ready-made unit without understanding the basics. Now, focusing on the main point: after upgrading to the 8x2 16GB 4000MHz T-Force Xcalibur Dims, I thought a higher speed would be beneficial since third-gen Ryzen chips demand fast RAM. I assumed NZXT had already configured it properly and didn’t investigate further.
Eventually, I experienced some performance drops with my RAM and decided to purchase another 8x2 unit, intending to keep 32GB. After installation, the system displayed a standard BIOS message indicating the RAM was changing during boot. It wasn’t until then that I discovered it had been running at 2400MHz (with timing different from the specs). Trying to enable XMP reset settings caused issues—fans sped up, monitors failed to receive input, and all peripherals stopped working. I spent several tense hours trying a CMOS reset, but nothing worked. Eventually, removing two of the dims allowed the BIOS to revert to setup mode and disable XMP. Everything returned to normal, though I’m still unsure about the RAM configuration.
I learned that most XMP profiles are tailored for Intel chips, which might explain the conflict. I’m a bit worried about making irreversible mistakes, so I’m seeking guidance on how to handle this RAM situation. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The fans took a moment to start up right after enabling XMP once.
I left them spinning for a short while without any change. When I turned on XMP, a warning appeared about going over a certain voltage and I noticed the fans were working harder. The alert disappeared but didn’t return. With that warning, I was concerned about running it too long without seeing any issues, thinking longer exposure could cause power problems.
Allowing XMP typically enables the RAM to operate at 1.35V, which is perfectly acceptable. The issue arose because your motherboard isn't designed for 4 sticks at 4000Mhz. It officially supports only 4 sticks up to 3600Mhz. You probably won’t damage anything. You might consider enabling XMP with just 2 RAM sticks to achieve 4000Mhz, or set your RAM speed to 3600Mhz for four sticks. While Ryzen appreciates quick memory speeds, there are diminishing returns beyond 3600Mhz. If you require 32GB of RAM, going higher would be advisable.
It's puzzling. I haven't found any details about speed differences between 2 and 4 sticks in the specs or manual. I assume you're right, but what am I missing? I'm okay running all four at 3600Mhz since the extra 400Mhz won't be a big issue. My next concern is whether adjusting frequencies alone is enough or if I also need to tweak timings. Are the manufacturers' timing guidelines still valid even if the device isn't operating at 4000Mhz? I feel a bit confused about all these settings and wonder if changing them is really necessary.
Hello, have you checked your RAM settings? I’m facing the same problem with the T-Force XTREME 4000MHz. The XMP-1 works fine, but the DRAM frequency shows as 1196, which means it’s actually running at 2400MHz instead of the intended 4000MHz. I’m using an Asus TUF Gaming B460-Pro board with an i7 10700K and four 4000MHz DDR4 sticks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I prepare this new setup for Flight Sim 2020.