Potential XMP conflicts may arise when using Z170 module with a 3600 MHz RAM chip.
Potential XMP conflicts may arise when using Z170 module with a 3600 MHz RAM chip.
Because components are limited, I began my upgrade by buying a 32 GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 3600 MHz CL18 and installed it in my old Asrock Z170 Extreme3. It functioned well initially until I turned on XMP settings. After that, the system wouldn’t start properly. I replaced the old RAM, disabled XMP, reinserted the new modules, and now everything works fine at the standard 2133 MHz. What’s causing this issue? Could my motherboard not be supplying enough power for both XMP and RGB features? The slower RAM speed isn’t an immediate concern for me, but I’m worried it might remain a problem if I upgrade to a new processor combo later. Thanks for any advice and have a happy New Year!
It’s wise to verify compatibility with your motherboard’s RAM support for the new platform. A 2.133GHz speed is typical for DDR4 in 2016. Most recent DDR4 modules won’t function well on Skylake due to limited updates, and XMP support may be unreliable even with the same RAM you’ve used before. Since my 6700K doesn’t support the higher base clock of 2.4GHz out of the box, upgrading to a newer platform in Q3 2021 would be beneficial. Unlike AMD, Intel sees minimal gains from high-speed RAM, especially without XMP. My recommendation? Consider replacing your Skylake soon.
Sorry for the lag. The memory ID is CMW32GX4M2Z3600C18. Yes, I understand. It's tuned for Ryzen. My upgrade plan: 5600X or 5800X (if under 300 €) paired with a B550 motherboard.
Asrock confirms compatibility with models exceeding 3866 units. However, there may be some early adopter discrepancies. 😊
Your motherboard lacks support for the latest RAM standards, which explains why XMP settings behave unpredictably. Regarding the 3.866+ GHz, this only works when you installed a single memory module, as noted in the specs. For your new platform, I recommend choosing the 5800X. The AMD 6c is budget-friendly but limited, whereas higher-end CPUs with more cores are available for around $300. If possible, opt for an X570 board of the same tier—like the X570 UD instead of B550 UD—as it’s only $30 more and offers better performance. The B-series chipsets from AMD seem underperforming and not worth the investment. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
Download the Aida64 software. Launch Aida64 and navigate to the motherboard section. Locate the SPD file. Note the timing specifications and DRAM voltage settings for the 3600 CL18 configuration. In the BIOS, adjust the frequency, timing parameters, and DRAM voltage manually.