The Best Way to Enable XMP to Run Your RAM at Full Speed

There is a great deal of controversy on the relevance of faster RAM for gaming and the question of whether or not it produces a discernible improvement after a certain threshold. However, one thing is certain: if your system is now operating with normal RAM operating at 2,666 MHz, you will likely see a noticeable improvement after upgrading to something operating at 3,200 MHz or more.

This is because the RAM works at a higher speed than what the DDR4 standard was officially rated for. You will typically need to hit either a function key, the escape key, or the delete key to access the BIOS. This screen will typically display the Speed that your RAM is now set at and the voltage it is using. It is important to be aware that activating XMP may theoretically render your processor's warranty null and invalid; however, as we have just gone over, this is usually never a genuine cause for worry.

XMP

Intel's XMP is a technique that can boost the Speed of DDR3 and DDR4 RAM by optimizing how the memory is used. Intel created this technology for both types of RAM. (You'll also see the option on motherboards manufactured by AMD.) When you turn XMP on, your motherboard will automatically determine the RAM's ideal settings and make the necessary adjustments after enabling it. It is essentially an overclocking tool for RAM that requires one click, making it ideal for people who do not want to overclock their RAM manually.

However, you will need to enter your computer's BIOS to change the XMP settings. Once you are there, activating it is a rather straightforward process. The issue is that we cannot give step-by-step instructions that will work for everyone since how the BIOS of each motherboard handles certain aspects of the system varies somewhat.

Check Your Current RAM Speed

Before we get started, let's check how quickly your memory is working right now. In Windows 10, do a search for "Task Manager," and then choose "Task Manager" from the list of results (or hit the good ol' Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys all at once to bring it up immediately). After opening Task Manager, choose the option labeled "More information" at the bottom of the window to enlarge the view, if required.

Afterward, go to the Memory section of the left rail by clicking on the Performance tab. After that, in the primary portion of the window, you will find Speed (shown above), which will display the current operating speed of your RAM in megahertz. If you haven't activated XMP, the Speed of your RAM will very certainly be lower than what the manufacturer has rated it for. Let's go ahead and load up the BIOS.

XMP: How to Turn It On and Off

You will need to restart your computer and wait for the first splash screen before you can access the BIOS. This screen on a desktop P.C. will often display the emblem for your motherboard, which might be anything like Aorus, EVGA, the Asus Republic of Gamers, or another brand. You will find instructions on how to enter the BIOS on this page. You will typically need to hit either a function key, the escape key, or the delete key to access the BIOS. Checking the handbook that came with your motherboard is still another option. The booklet ought to provide instructions on how to access the BIOS.

An Asus BIOS Sample.

You can click on your memory settings. When we click the Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.), our Aorus BIOS displays a pop-up window with two options: Disabled and Profile 1. Profile 1 is the one that we wish to choose. Certain RAM kits with extraordinarily high speeds may contain more than one profile, giving you a choice between many different configurations. Once you have selected the desired option, you should return to the primary page of your motherboard's BIOS. This screen will typically display the Speed that your RAM is now set at and the voltage it is using.

It is time to exit the BIOS and resume working in Windows at this point. Most motherboards have a "Save and Exit" option for doing this task. It is essentially an overclocking tool for RAM that requires one click, making it ideal for people who do not want to overclock their RAM manually. After you make that selection and save the adjustments, your computer will restart into Windows 10.