RAM overclocking is one of the procedures to speed up the PC most used by expert and geek users, since it is relatively easy to apply and involves far fewer risks than CPU and video card chip overclocking (the risks are but they are inferior). If our computer with a few years on its shoulders is too slow to execute one or more programs at the same time, in this guide we will explain by wire and by sign how to overclock the RAM, showing you the values to be changed and how to perform this operation in complete safety. Although this overclocking is very simple to carry out, we still run the risk of seeing system freezes increase and errors in writing or reading data: we therefore advise you to always act with the utmost caution, without exaggerating with the changes. The site declines all responsibility for the improper use of the recommended procedures below : act only at your own risk.
How to overclock RAM
If we are really novice with the components of a computer, we will hardly be able to fully understand the meaning of all the words and the procedures that we will show you below. Before continuing, therefore, we advise you to read our guides What is RAM "> Types of computer RAM: DDR, shape and speed .Values that we can overclock on RAM
For RAM modules we can act on the following parameters to increase performance.
- Clock frequency : it is the simplest parameter to modify; indicates the speed with which data is managed within the memory module. The higher the frequency, the faster the data will be processed by RAM.
- Timing (CAS Latency, RAStoCAS, RAS Precharge, tRAS etc.) : timing indicates how long it takes for data to enter and exit modules, thus playing a fundamental role in the speed of data passing into RAM memory. These values must be as low as possible, but tend to increase at the same frequency (therefore at each new clock frequency we will always have to look for the lowest timings available at that particular frequency).
- Voltage : the last of the parameters that we can modify to overclock the RAM; with a higher voltage we will obtain higher clock frequencies, but we will also risk increasing the risks of freezes, system freeze and hardware damage (until the complete failure of the memory modules and the motherboard).
Automatic and safe RAM overclocking
RAM modules are currently on the market with XMP (Extreme Memory Profile), that is, ready for automatic oveclocking by the motherboard (the latter must also have XMP support). When a higher speed is required by the RAM modules, we can set the "pushed" profile from the BIOS / UEFI to significantly increase the clock frequency, lowering the timings as much as possible and still maintaining great stability (having already left the factory with support at these frequencies).
The best DDR4 RAM with XMP profile support are:
- HyperX FURY DDR4 16 GB (Kit 2 x 8 GB), 2400 MHz (81 €)
- Viper Steel DDR4 3733 16GB (2x8GB) Gaming XMP (€ 84)
- Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16 GB (2x8 GB) DDR4 3200MHz XMP (102 €)
- G.Skill Ripjaws V memory 32 GB DDR4 3200 MHz (€ 128)
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4-3200 High Performance Memories (148 €)
The overclocking of the banks of RAM will be automatically managed by the motherboard, which will find the best values by itself to "squeeze" the memories to the maximum.
How to find the ideal overclocking values for the RAM in use
If we want to have more control over our RAM overclocking, we will have to manually modify the parameters we have indicated above, deactivating the XMP profile and modifying the parameters in the BIOS / UEFI.We don't know which values to start with or which values to touch "> DRAM Calculator for Ryzen, also valid for Intel and AMD processors.
Once the program is opened on our computer, all we have to do is choose between the SAFE, FAST or EXTREME profiles (present as buttons at the bottom right) to see the clock frequency and main timings change, so as to know exactly what to go to change once you are in the BIOS or UEFI overclocking screen.
The SAFE profile is quite safe but brings a minimal increase in performance, the FAST profile is a good compromise between speed and stability while the EXTREME profile pushes the RAM to the maximum, even beyond the XMP values (if any).
Obviously we advise you to take into consideration only the SAFE and FAST profiles, safe enough to be tested on all types of RAM on the market.
How to overclock RAM from BIOS / UEFI
Now that we know which parameters to modify, all we have to do is access the BIOS / UEFI of our computer, open the overclocking screen (usually available only in the Advanced or Advanced view ) and change the clock frequency and timings for each module RAM, acting with caution.
After each change, we advise you to save and restart your computer, so that you can see the stability of the system.
If we want to push RAM memories beyond the limits, many gaming motherboards also allow you to change the voltage, but we advise you not to try anything if we are unable to handle any errors or problems.
In manual overclocking everything is tentative : every time we have to change and restart until we find an "unstable" point, so we know exactly how far to go.
Conclusions
Even if we are not super computer experts, we can still overclock the RAM by choosing the right memory banks and using the XMP profile, to obtain an easy, long-lasting and safe overclocking. If instead we know exactly "where to get our hands", there is not much more to say, since you already know which BIOS / UEFI screen to open in order to push the RAM beyond their factory limits.If we also want to overclock the processor and the video chip, we refer you to reading our guides on:
Programs for CPU processor overclocking and video card
How to Overclock Intel CPUs the Easy Way
GPU Overclocking: Guide to enhance your graphics card with Afterburner .
