How to Configure and Overclock your RAM in the BIOS of Your Motherboard

[#1]

This article has been created by members of the Red Team Community and the AMD Community Management Staff.

To configure your Random Access Memory (RAM) to run at different/higher speeds you will need to access your motherboard’s basic input/output system (BIOS). You may take this extra step after the physical installation process is completed.   

For the steps listed below, we assume you have already installed the memory kit (RAM) onto your motherboard, and that your system is booting smoothly.

Follow the steps below to access the BIOS and configure your RAM:

1. If you haven’t yet, turn on your PC. 

2. Keep an eye out on your screen to ensure you see the system is booting and for a message asking you to press a key to access the BIOS, often times these are either the “F2”, “F10”, “F12” or the “Del” button. 

3. Once in the BIOS, you will need to navigate to the appropriate sub-menu for configuring your RAM. Depending on your motherboard make and model, it may be called “Advanced Settings/Mode”, “OC”, “Extreme Tweaker”, “OC Tweaker”, “Ai Tweaker”, “Easy Mode”, or similar. 

4. Once on the configuration page, you will likely have several options available to select from.  Some of the most common options include:  
   1. Memory frequency: This option allows you to set the frequency of the RAM, which is measured in MHz. The higher the frequency, the faster the RAM will operate. However, be aware that not all RAM is capable of running at the highest frequencies, and you may need to experiment to find the best setting for your particular RAM kit.
   2. Memory timings: This option allows you to set the timing of the memory kit which is measured in a series of numbers such as 5-5-5-15. These numbers represent the time it takes for the RAM to complete various operations, and lower numbers indicate faster timings.
   3. Memory voltage: This option allows you to set the voltage supplied to the memory. Higher voltage can help the RAM run at higher frequencies or lower timings, but it can also cause the RAM to run hotter and may shorten its lifespan. Be sure to check the specifications for your RAM to see what voltage it is rated for.
   4. Memory configuration: This option allows you to configure the RAM in single-channel or dual-channel mode, depending on the number of memory “sticks” you have installed on the motherboard. Dual channel mode can improve performance by allowing the memory controller to access two memory sticks simultaneously.

How to enable EXPO or XMP (for DDR5 and DDR4 respectively)

5. If making changes manually is not something you're comfortable with, you can use the AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) or Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) to overclock your memory, which should be already installed in your motherboard’s chipset. Depending on your motherboard chipset and the memory kit you’ve purchased, you may see other names such as Direct Overclocking Profile (DOCP) on ASUS motherboards, A-Extreme Memory Profile (A-XMP) on MSI Motherboards, and Gigabyte’s motherboard with Extended OverClock Profile (EOCP). 

6. Once you have located the EXPO (or XMP) option, you can enable it by selecting it and saving the changes. 

7. To save the changes and restart the system simply press “F10”. (Your system should now boot at the selected EXPO memory speed). 

8. To verify that the new memory speed is set correctly launch Task Manager in Windows 10 (or 11). Click on the “Performance” tab, then on “Memory”, and look for “Speed: xxxx Mhz”. Important notes/tips:

Important notes/tips:

• Read the motherboard manual for any information covering memory kits. Be sure the motherboard supports the type of kit you’re planning to install, especially the speed. 

• If possible, install your memory kit (normally 2 “sticks”) into the farthest slots from the CPU. 

• When you enable EXPO (or XMP), the BIOS will automatically configure your RAM to run at the highest frequency and lowest timings specified in the profile. This can provide a significant performance boost for tasks such as gaming and video editing, but it is important to note that enabling EXPO may also increase the power consumption and temperature of your memory kit. 

• Be aware that not all memory kits are capable of running at the lowest timings, and you may need to experiment to find the best setting for your particular kit. 

• Using memory kits with an EXPO profile is recommended as they are tested and will work with your AM5 motherboard at the speeds advertised on the memory kit. EXPO was launched in 2022, it’s a new technology for overclocking DDR5 memory. 

• (Expert Level Tip) When attempting to tweak your memory to run as fast as possible, your system may become unstable or show you the dreaded 'blue screen of death” Windows error.  After a few crashes of your Operating System (OS), the motherboard BIOS will usually reset to the default settings, which include memory timings and speeds.  If it does not and you still experience crashes, try clearing the Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) on the motherboard (first remove the Power Supply Unit (PSU) power plug) by pulling out the CMOS battery and shorting the two "clear CMOS" pins.  Your motherboard manual will help identify those.  Once you replace the battery and the PSU power plug, your system should boot normally at the default settings.

If you have questions or need an opinion or two from the Red Team Community, please be sure to start a new Discussion in the Red Team PC Building sub-forum. Don’t be shy, our community consists of hundreds (if not thousands) of seasoned PC builders! We are here to help you!

A special “Thank you”  to @blazek @johnnyenglish @filinux @red5 @jamesc359 @Weber462 @mengelag @BigAl01  @Axxemann @Amber_AMD and world-famous @Wally_AMD for helping me prepare this article!