Xmp profile: what it is and what it is for. maximum performance to your ram ??

In this article we will show you what the XMP profile is, what it is for and how to configure it. And it is that after having carried out all the correct steps to mount a PC successfully, there are chances that, even if you do not know it, the RAM memory of your computer is not working at its maximum speed. In these cases, it is the value of the operating frequency along with the timings (latency), which provide us with data related to the performance that a RAM module is offering.

Often times it happens that a RAM memory module is not executing the specifications that were detected by the equipment and that were confirmed by the manufacturer itself. Aiming to avoid these speed limitations and achieve the best RAM memory optimization, you can turn to Intel's Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) technology.

This technology from Intel is included only in some BIOSes, while not all RAM memories include an XMP profile with which to do speed optimization. But for the cases in which a high-performance RAM memory is available, the most advisable thing will be to activate the XMP profile and thus access the memory faster.

Many manufacturers launch their memories aimed at operating at standard speeds. However, for users who mount powerful computers for design or gaming, for example, the chosen RAM will be faster and will surely include the option of being able to activate the XMP profile from the BIOS.

Index of contents

What is Intel XMP?

XMP (or Extreme Memory Profiles ) is an abbreviation for an Intel technology with which you can switch quickly and easily between different RAM memory configurations, which include higher speeds than the standard ones. These settings are ideal for those users who want to overclock their computers but feel insecure about having to deal with the risks of adjusting voltage, frequency, and times.

In 1958 the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) was established, which is an organism whose main function is to establish the basic specifications that must be met by the more than 300 manufacturers (members) of RAM memories.

As a general rule, it follows that the speed at which RAM works will be faster the lower the times obtained when overclocking, mainly when they are on the same frequency.

The more the working frequency of the RAM increases, the same does the times. For example, if you buy a high-end motherboard and install RAM memories with low times, they will not work automatically with this configuration. Instead, they will use the standard configuration.

In any case, unlike what happened several years ago, now it is no longer required to make time adjustments manually to give them more power. Accessing the BIOS we can find the Intel XMP configuration, with which we will be able to automatically configure the times and thus obtain the maximum performance from the RAM memories.

Once the XMP profile is activated from the BIOS, it will take a reading of the timings established by the manufacturer, and which are stored in the RAM modules, to be automatically activated later to optimize the overall performance of the RAM.

This function of Intel can also be found in AMD CPUs, offering the same characteristics as in Intel, although called AMP (AMD Memory Profiles), and with a performance very similar to that of its competition.

How to measure the times of RAM memories

Before activating the XMP or AMP profile on your computer, it is advisable to measure the RAM times to know what the net benefit of this adjustment was. To obtain this information, we have the free CPU-Z tool, which gives us various information about the hardware installed on our PC.

Once you have downloaded and run CPU-Z, click on the "Memory" tab and write down the values ​​you see in CL, tRCD and tRP. These three values ​​are the ones that represent the times of the RAM memory.

Later, by opening the "SPD" tab and checking the information in the "Timings Table" you will be able to know what profiles the system supports and if there are any XMP profiles already activated.

Increases memory performance in games

Intel's XMP profile also plays an important role in gaming, where memory speed can represent defeat or success, which is why it needs to be optimized for best performance.

Taking into account that in a gaming computer the memory speed is higher than that of the memories that work in a basic PC, it is vital to check if these modules are working at their maximum power.

In the event that the RAM is not offering all the performance that the manufacturer's specifications declare, it will be a wise idea to activate the XMP profile to maximize the power of this memory.

Low speed of RAM

In order to be compatible with the largest number of types of computers and existing configurations, RAM memories come from the factory with a standard profile developed for this purpose.

Although this profile works on most computers, it will not provide maximum performance in advanced RAM. Hence the problem that some memories work at a slower speed than the specifications they promise.

How the XMP Profile Works

When you turn on the computer, the system begins to do a self-test to determine the existing configurations and the hardware that the computer already has installed. These checks also include RAM memory checks.

This check is necessary because the computer needs to know what is the model of the installed memory, its times and the frequency that it must configure.

For all this, the BIOS will make use of a small chip that is found in the RAM modules called SPD (Serial Presence Detect) with which it will be able to determine the time and frequencies of the RAM correctly.

During this process, the XMP profile acts as an extension of SPD with which higher frequencies and shorter times can be established for the operation of RAM memory. This profile is also in charge of correctly defining the necessary voltage, thus providing greater stability during an overclock.

In conclusion, an XMP profile makes it possible for high-end RAM, because it runs at specifications higher than industry standards, to be configured appropriately for the system.

How to enable XMP profiles

Already knowing how an XMP profile works and taking into account that in some PCs the RAM memories may not be working at their maximum performance, we will see how to enable this function:

• To get started, it is recommended to read the motherboard user manual to make sure it is compatible with Intel XMP and also to find out how to access the system BIOS. You can generally access the BIOS by pressing some of the following keys as soon as the PC starts: F2, F10, Delete or ESC. It will all depend on the model of the motherboard installed. When you are already inside the BIOS panel, it is recommended that you read the user manual that includes the motherboard in order to know the correct steps to activate the XMP function. It is possible that on the first attempt it is difficult to find the XMP option, whose location may vary according to each BIOS version. For example, in some BIOSes the XMP function is found on the main screen or in advanced settings, while in other BIOSes it will be found in the overclocking section. Once you have located the XMP feature, activate it by following the steps outlined in the user manual, then select a profile. While you will surely see two XMP profiles to choose from, you may only be able to activate one of them. Raise the voltage a little more, just one point, to avoid VDROOP. Make sure to save the changes made and exit the BIOS of your computer. When you have already left the BIOS panel, the computer will restart automatically, while from this moment the RAM will start to run at the correct speed. If you want to know if the XMP profiles are indeed activated and working, you can turn to some third-party software with which you will obtain this information about the speed that is running.

During setup you may find two similar profiles to select from. It is recommended that you test each profile to select the one that provides the most optimized memory speeds.

To decide which profile is best suited for memory, first activate one and check the RAM times from the BIOS. Then activate the second profile. You can also check this using the free CPU-Z software.

RAM performance without XMP profile enabled

As we have already indicated, all high-end RAM memory requires the XMP profile to achieve its highest performance, which is well above DDR industry standards.

However, it may be that perhaps due to ignorance, a user does not enable these XMP profiles on their computer. In these cases, the RAM will work under the standards determined by the system, that is, below its most extreme possibilities. In this way, an important part of the memory performance will be wasted.

In reality, a memory works this way is not entirely wrong. After all, it would be operating under industry standards and with a high level of stability.

However, if XMP profiles were enabled, the RAM would reach a higher frequency after correctly configuring the CPU and motherboard parameters, thus avoiding this limitation. After all, if we are going to spend more money on high-end RAM, the ideal would be to get the most out of it. We recommend that you take a look at this article with the scaling of different speeds and how it improves the performance of our PC with the maximum RAM memory.

The two types of XMP profiles

The memories that accept the XMP function include two different profiles that are usually called "Profile 1" and "Profile 2". Activating profile 1 provides basic settings for memory to run at standard factory speeds, a configuration geared toward most users. With this type of profile good stability is achieved, but limited overclocking.

Using profile 2, more powerful and extreme adjustments can be made, thus achieving higher RAM performance. That's why having two different XMP profiles helps you to toggle between the two quickly, whether you want good standard performance stability or bring the memory to its highest performance for tasks that require more resources.

Some RAM modules only include one profile. Since they are not overclocked

Stability of an Intel XMP profile

As long as some overclocking activity is planned, there is a chance that the system will become unstable. By using an XMP profile, memory performance can be optimized to the maximum according to each model.

To achieve this, the XMP profile adjusts the times, voltage and frequency so that their operations complement each other and minimize any possibility of instability in the system, something very characteristic when doing a manual overclock.

However, it should be borne in mind that there are no automatic adjustments so reliable that they can foresee instabilities caused by external factors such as processor overclocking. Something to consider if any instability occurs. Also keep in mind that overclocking the RAM with very high voltage values, you can break it and be useless.

Conclusion about XMP profiles

A few years ago, XMP profiling technology was only found on motherboards running on processors made by Intel. But as its effectiveness and all the benefits it offered were being tested, it was also implemented by AMD.

Nowadays, this technology is being used more and more, reaching the motherboards for AMD Ryzen and Threadripper, which are capable of recognizing XMP profiles to adjust the performance of RAM memory modules.

We recommend reading the following guides and tutorials:

Through these XMP profiles, the motherboard can have information about voltage and latency that this component has to use in order for the RAM memories to provide the maximum performance with which they were manufactured. In other words, these profiles do something similar to an overclock, but with the prior approval of the manufacturer of the RAM.