Upgraded RAM capacity increased to 16 or 32GB using DDR4, however performance remains insufficient.
Upgraded RAM capacity increased to 16 or 32GB using DDR4, however performance remains insufficient.
Hey there, I heard about your friend's RAM upgrade. It went from 3200MT/s to 2133MT/s, but they couldn't find any XMP/EXPO settings in the BIOS. They also tried installing the new sticks but got a black screen, suggesting memory training was involved. Even after 30 minutes it didn't work. Since the BIOS was old, they updated it to hide the RAM speed option, but it still didn't appear. It's tough troubleshooting across time zones, especially with an international friend. Any suggestions would be super helpful! Thanks a lot!
Unfortunately, this seems to be your issue. Those prebuilt units come with poor BIOS settings. They likely have to pick between original RAM with good speeds or more RAM at JDEC rates.
Can you still achieve 3200 MT/s with the original RAM installed? It would help to record the timing details of that memory. This information can serve as a starting point for upgrading. Knowing the brand and model of the RAM sticks you bought is useful, as not all will automatically support XMP profiles for both AMD and Intel processors. It’s possible you selected the wrong architecture. By the way, DDR4 training is only slightly noticeable; training times are minimal for DDR5 at this stage. In your BIOS, look for options like SMP, EXPO, DOCP, or RAM overclock/profile settings. If you don’t see such an option, can you adjust the timings manually? XMP profiles can be entered directly if the BIOS doesn’t auto-fill them. If your BIOS doesn’t offer any timing settings, you’re likely limited. Pre-built modules may not be compatible for future upgrades—consider adding your own RAM from the manufacturer to reach the full speed. Reach out to their support for more guidance. Have a great day!
The original RAM is likely a 3200 CL22 (the highest JEDEC speed), which contrasts with XMP 3200 settings (typically CL16/18). DDR4 with the 3200 JEDEC profile is now frequently available and should be easy to locate compatible DIMMs. In the worst case, a friend could capture a photo of the original RAM to identify the exact model. Keep in mind that many BIOSes may limit the maximum RAM clock speed below the JEDEC standard when using four DIMMs with single versus dual rank modules (as seen in the AsRock Rack X470D4U example). If I attempted this, I’d likely end up with a similar kit. Be mindful that newer DDR4 units are harder to find, so eBay or comparable sites make a good starting point.
The system lacks an EXPO feature. The RAM speed is 2133, which can be overclocked. However, you can't adjust it via the BIOS unless Lenovo has updated it to support XMP-EXPO. Otherwise, you'll need RAM that supports 3200Mhz by default. Without XMP-EXPO support
Thanks for the feedback! The key challenge was identifying the original RAM in the PC (SK hynix). I've located this component now. Should work? Edit: It looks like the same kit you mentioned in your previous answer—let's give it a try. If it succeeds, you'll have a solid solution point!