Tips on RAM speeds that don’t support XMP.
Tips on RAM speeds that don’t support XMP.
Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I'm seeking some guidance regarding RAM timings after my system failed to boot with XMP/DOCP enabled. When it wouldn't start after turning on DOCP, I reset the CMOS by jumping the pins and returned to BIOS. From there, I adjusted the frequency manually until it booted at 3200MHz. Since it worked, I decided to keep it as is, which is a big improvement over my old hardware running at stock 2133MHz. However, while checking CPU-Z, I noticed the CL timings seem slow and not meeting specifications—CAS latency 22, tRCD 22, tRP 22, tRAS 53, and tRC 75. My RAM is a pair of 16GB Corsair LPX 3600 CL18 modules, and according to their site, it's rated for CL18/22/22/42. I think someone suggested enabling XMP/DOCP first and then setting the frequency accordingly. Would that be the best approach? I imagine it would align with the recommended settings. If that doesn't work, I can reset the CMOS again and try manual tuning. I'm wondering if these XMP/DOCP timings might affect boot stability or performance more than just the MHz, and whether using a timing calculator would help me avoid issues. I'm open to reading up and fine-tuning, but ideally having a straightforward method would be helpful since I'm not very confident with manual CL settings. Additionally, would it make sense to run a memory test before and after this process to ensure the RAM is functioning correctly and that the overclock doesn't introduce problems? Also, should Memtest86 be considered the standard tool for such checks? Thank you for your help!
Allowing XMP *should* adjust the frequency, primary timing (18-22-22-42), and DRAM voltage automatically. If XMP / DOCP is turned on but the system freezes or locks, it may indicate the hardware can't manage those settings. Remember, XMP essentially boosts memory performance, but it's not a perfect 110% increase—just like with any overclocking. Could you share your system details? Make and model for CPU, motherboard, RAM, power supply, graphics card, and cooler if known.
Yeah I understand what you mean in regards to any XMP/DOCP being an OC so there's never a guarantee, I also unfortunately wasn't able to find a 2x16GB kit of RAM that was on the QVL list for my motherboard and 3600 cl18 or 3200 cl16 (almost all 3600/cl16 was OOS when I was looking for RAM) so I figured there was a chance it wouldn't work perfectly after enabling XMP. Here's the system specs Ryzen 5900x ASUS TUF X570 PRO WiFi 2x16GB Kit of Corsair LPX Ram 3600mhz / CL18 Corsair RM850X (2018) ASUS 3070 Strix OC Noctua NH-D15 Chromax As you can imagine things are a bit tight with the CPU cooler, so if I want to mess around with RAM or trying other sticks I'd likely have to unmount the D15 as I believe the 2nd stick of RAM sits under the fins. Currently it sounds like the best thing to do would be trying to enable the DOCP profile to get the proper timings and DRAM voltage (wasn't aware that was also a part of XMP, thanks for mentioning it!) and if it doesn't work, do a CMOS reset via the pins and only enabling 3200mhz again. If that happens to be the case, I guess I'd need to look into manual tuning to try and get any better CL timings unless I was willing to replace the RAM. With all that being said, is the realistically any risk of trying to mess around with RAM timings and getting the system back up and running with a CMOS reset again? That is my biggest concern as this computer is used primarily for work. When I first tried jumping the pins for CMOS I was worried because it didn't seem to work, but it seems if I held the screwdriver on the pins for 30+ seconds that was the trick, I just am a touch paranoid I'll get stuck in a boot loop or something that isn't quite so easy to fix and I'm quite new to PC building so I wouldn't know what to do if that happens. Thanks so much!