[SOLVED] Can RAM speed affect performance in terms of FPS

[Psycho381]

4 years ago I bought 3 ram sticks when I knew nothing about PCs in general (each 16gb 2133Mhz).
And now I know that I absolutely don't need 48 GB of ram memory, but at the time, I got 3 of them at the price of 2 which seemed like a good deal.
However, I had no clue that 2133Mhz is very low. Will this Ram speed affect my FPS in modern games, and if so, by how much?

 

[Psycho381]

if you running 2133MHz jedec and you switch to 3200 cl16 on xmp profile, than you should see diference not even in games but like everywhere lol

Well thought the same, but on the other hand, I heard so many people saying that it will have zero impact on fps, I kinda didnt belive so I started this thread to hear other opinions.

 

[kerberos_20]

Well thought the same, but on the other hand, I heard so many people saying that it will have zero impact on fps, I kinda didnt belive so I started this thread to hear other opinions.

there is fps difference when you have CPU bottleneck

 

[Psycho381]

there is fps difference when you have CPU bottleneck

Which I do, i7 8700k with rx6700xt.

Anyways, thank you everyone for the help. I will go with the new ram and hopefully everything goes well.
All the best

 

[SkyNetRising]

As far as I know my motherboard supports XMP, but when go in the bios it says XMP not supported, could that be because my current RAM does not support XMP?
If that is the case, when I put new RAM, the XMP will be supported?

For XMP to be available, ram module needs to have XMP profile stored onto it.
2133mhz DDR4 ram module would not need XMP profile and would not have it.

what would be the difference between using XMP, and me manually setting RAM ( speed, timing, voltage) based on the information on the sticker at the back of ram stick?

With manual settings, you have to know, what you're doing.
Inputting wrong settings can result in memory errors, instability, not working at all or damaged hardware.

 

[Psycho381]

For XMP to be available, ram module needs to have XMP profile stored onto it.
2133mhz DDR4 ram module would not need XMP profile and would not have it.

With manual settings, you have to know, what you're doing.
Inputting wrong settings can result in memory errors, instability, not working at all or damaged hardware.

So in theory when I plug new ram, go into bios it will then say that xmp is supported unlike before.
If not I have to do it manually, so that is why I ask is there anything else except RAM speed, timing and voltage that I should be aware of, so I don't brick something

 

[SkyNetRising]

So in theory when I plug new ram, go into bios it will then say that xmp is supported unlike before.

Yes. 3200mhz ram should have XMP profile.
You can check it with CPU-Z (in spd section).

 

[Psycho381]

Yes. 3200mhz ram should have XMP profile.
You can check it with CPU-Z (in spd section).

Found this in case I have to do it manually, it should help.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68or8XXIKZY

but do I need to tweak CPU voltage if I set my ram speed, timing, voltage exactly as stated on the sticker at the back of the ram stick ( If I dont do any significant OC)
sry for way to many questions, but I really dont want to mess smth up.

 

[Endre]

I know, but got it at a good deal, afterwards I learned a lesson, and took one out and had dual channel ram (2x16gb). cpu i7 8700k supports 2666, my motherboard up to 4000mhz oc , however now I want to see if upgrading to 3200mhz cl16 (2x16gb) is worth it regarding in game performance, since I saw over 10 benchmarks improving fps from 10 to 20 depending on a game, unfortunatelly had no luck finding benchmark with my cpu being used.

Hello again!

Just my opinion here:
I wouldn't invest more money into that platform (since it's quite old).
I'd rather start gathering money to upgrade the whole platform 1_2 years by now.

PS: 15th gen Intel with DDR5 will "smoke" your current platform.

I hope this helps...

 

[SkyNetRising]

but do I need to tweak CPU voltage if I set my ram speed, timing, voltage exactly as stated on the sticker at the back of the ram stick ( If I dont do any significant OC)

Loading XMP does all the necessary steps - dram parameters change, voltage adjustments.
Just don't forget to save BIOS settings after loading XMP.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Thank you for the articles and help. I have an additional question.

As far as I know my motherboard supports XMP, but when go in the bios it says XMP not supported, could that be because my current RAM does not support XMP? ( The one I am planning to buy does support XMP )

If that is the case, when I put new RAM, the XMP will be supported?

If that does not resolve the issue, and issue is something else, what would be the difference between using XMP, and me manually setting RAM ( speed, timing, voltage) based on the information on the sticker at the back of ram stick?

What is the ACTUAL, EXACT model of the memory kit you originally purchased? Because your motherboard absolutely, 100%, and without any possible doubt, completely supports ALL XMP, A-XMP, D.O.C.P and JEDEC profiles. And I have not seen a consumer memory kit in the last ten years, at least, that didn't have an XMP profile on it or something equivalent, unless it's speed was low enough that it didn't need it because it was already supported by an equivalent JEDEC profile but even that would be unusual except for very low end RAM.

 

[Psycho381]

What is the ACTUAL, EXACT model of the memory kit you originally purchased? Because your motherboard absolutely, 100%, and without any possible doubt, completely supports ALL XMP, A-XMP, D.O.C.P and JEDEC profiles. And I have not seen a consumer memory kit in the last ten years, at least, that didn't have an XMP profile on it or something equivalent, unless it's speed was low enough that it didn't need it because it was already supported by an equivalent JEDEC profile but even that would be unusual except for very low end RAM.

My current RAM https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AO6RUIE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, its maximum speed is 2133

 

[Psycho381]

Hello again!

Just my opinion here:
I wouldn't invest more money into that platform (since it's quite old).
I'd rather start gathering money to upgrade the whole platform 1_2 years by now.

PS: 15th gen Intel with DDR5 will "smoke" your current platform.

I hope this helps...

Probably, but I only game at 1080p, so anything more powerful than this I d consider a overkill. i7 8700k might be a bit old, but it is holding up pretty well, RX 6700 XT dont need anything better, yes I have a small bottleneck but I dont think it is worth spending money on a brand new CPU and also motherboard because of the 10-15% bottleneck, so new ram kit is the last thing left on my check list. ( IMO )

 

[Darkbreeze]

That kit absolutely supports XMP. Not even a question that it doesn't. Says so right in the specs. It is likely, or at least possible, that you are looking at the EZ version of the BIOS and not the Advanced screens/mode. If you ARE in the Advanced mode, you need to probably go into the Advanced memory settings to enable XMP because both your board AND your memory support it, although, there is really no NEED to enable XMP since the XMP profile is going to be the same speed and voltage as the default JEDEC profile on that kit. BUT, the timings, without XMP enabled, might not be the same 15-15-15-36 that the XMP profile designates. At the default configuration the motherboard determines the appropriate timings in many cases and it might come up with something different.

Your kit: F4-2133C15D-32GVR

Memory Type DDR4

Capacity 32GB (16GBx2)

Tested Speed (XMP/EXPO) 2133 MT/s

Tested Latency (XMP/EXPO) 15-15-15-36

Tested Voltage (XMP/EXPO) 1.20V


And, I'd recommend only using the two DIMMs that came TOGETHER and just sell the other DIMM, although, if you're going to upgrade to faster memory it's a moot point anyhow other than to say don't go buying a kit plus a stick next time. You buy ALL of the memory you want/need in ONE kit if you wish to avoid problems ESPECIALLY when running a kit that is higher speed than the supported JEDEC standard for that platform. Being higher than the JEDEC standard does not mean it won't work, it means you are effectively using a factory approved and tested overclock for that kit, which is what XMP IS.

That is why you do not want to buy oddball sticks and for the most part it is a good idea to get ALL the memory you think you are ever going to need in that kit at one time so you don't have to add any later because IF you add any later, even if it is the exact same part number or kit, all bets are off. It might work, it might not.

Even G.Skill SPECIFICALLY states

Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.

And while that is not ALWAYS accurate, it is accurate often enough that we highly recommend following that guidance.

 

[kerberos_20]

That kit absolutely supports XMP. Not even a question that it doesn't. Says so right in the specs. It is likely, or at least possible, that you are looking at the EZ version of the BIOS and not the Advanced screens/mode. If you ARE in the Advanced mode, you need to probably go into the Advanced memory settings to enable XMP because both your board AND your memory support it, although, there is really no NEED to enable XMP since the XMP profile is going to be the same speed and voltage as the default JEDEC profile on that kit. BUT, the timings, without XMP enabled, might not be the same 15-15-15-36 that the XMP profile designates. At the default configuration the motherboard determines the appropriate timings in many cases and it might come up with something different.

Your kit: F4-2133C15D-32GVR

Memory Type DDR4

Capacity 32GB (16GBx2)

Tested Speed (XMP/EXPO) 2133 MT/s

Tested Latency (XMP/EXPO) 15-15-15-36

Tested Voltage (XMP/EXPO) 1.20V


And, I'd recommend only using the two DIMMs that came TOGETHER and just sell the other DIMM, although, if you're going to upgrade to faster memory it's a moot point anyhow other than to say don't go buying a kit plus a stick next time. You buy ALL of the memory you want/need in ONE kit if you wish to avoid problems ESPECIALLY when running a kit that is higher speed than the supported JEDEC standard for that platform. Being higher than the JEDEC standard does not mean it won't work, it means you are effectively using a factory approved and tested overclock for that kit, which is what XMP IS.

That is why you do not want to buy oddball sticks and for the most part it is a good idea to get ALL the memory you think you are ever going to need in that kit at one time so you don't have to add any later because IF you add any later, even if it is the exact same part number or kit, all bets are off. It might work, it might not.

Even G.Skill SPECIFICALLY states

Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.

And while that is not ALWAYS accurate, it is accurate often enough that we highly recommend following that guidance.

umm 2133 cl15 is pretty much just jedec

 

[Endre]

Probably, but I only game at 1080p, so anything more powerful than this I d consider a overkill. i7 8700k might be a bit old, but it is holding up pretty well, RX 6700 XT dont need anything better, yes I have a small bottleneck but I dont think it is worth spending money on a brand new CPU and also motherboard because of the 10-15% bottleneck, so new ram kit is the last thing left on my check list. ( IMO )

OK

 

[Psycho381]

That kit absolutely supports XMP. Not even a question that it doesn't. Says so right in the specs. It is likely, or at least possible, that you are looking at the EZ version of the BIOS and not the Advanced screens/mode. If you ARE in the Advanced mode, you need to probably go into the Advanced memory settings to enable XMP because both your board AND your memory support it, although, there is really no NEED to enable XMP since the XMP profile is going to be the same speed and voltage as the default JEDEC profile on that kit. BUT, the timings, without XMP enabled, might not be the same 15-15-15-36 that the XMP profile designates. At the default configuration the motherboard determines the appropriate timings in many cases and it might come up with something different.

Well in the EZ version it just says XMP not supported, In the advance tab it says XMP profile 1: None and XMP profile 2: None that is the only thing I could find in the advanced tab that mentions XMP, and you can not press on it, no drop down menu, so if I am just supposed to click somewhere and enable it I really do not see where am I supposed to do it.

BUT, the timings, without XMP enabled, might not be the same 15-15-15-36

They are, in advanced setting where you can manually set timings it says that the current timings are 15 15 15 36. Current ram works fine without XMP in other words I got lucky since everything is set as is should be by default, but the new one will not work at its fullest potential without XMP. I have motherboard which supports XMP, and as you said my current ram also does ( although it has no use of it), so why the fk XMP is not there/supported? Either there is an issue ( which isn't motherboard nor RAM ) or Im just that stupid to find and enable XMP 🤔.

Edit: There is MSI Memory Try It, but as far as I heard it is supposed to do same thing as XMP but it does it way worse...

 

[Bob.B]

Well in the EZ version it just says XMP not supported, In the advance tab it says XMP profile 1: None and XMP profile 2: None that is the only thing I could find in the advanced tab that mentions XMP, and you can not press on it, no drop down menu, so if I am just supposed to click somewhere and enable it I really do not see where am I supposed to do it.



They are, in advanced setting where you can manually set timings it says that the current timings are 15 15 15 36. Current ram works fine without XMP in other words I got lucky since everything is set as is should be by default, but the new one will not work at its fullest potential without XMP. I have motherboard which supports XMP, and as you said my current ram also does ( although it has no use of it), so why the fk XMP is not there/supported? Either there is an issue ( which isn't motherboard nor RAM ) or Im just that stupid to find and enable XMP 🤔.

Edit: There is MSI Memory Try It, but as far as I heard it is supposed to do same thing as XMP but it does it way worse...

Use cpu-z and click on the spd tab.

Does it show a xmp option?

 

[Psycho381]

Use cpu-z and click on the spd tab.

Does it show a xmp option?

No. it does not
SPD Ext, is just blank.
I though that the reason for this is because my current ram does not support xmp, however, it appears my ram does support it, as Darkbreeze said.

 

[Bob.B]

No. it does not
SPD Ext, is just blank.
I though that the reason for this is because my current ram does not support xmp, however, it appears my ram does support it, as Darkbreeze said.

If both sticks show the same blank area I don't think your ram supports xmp.

I have 2666 ram and it does not support xmp the jedec timings get it to 2666.

 

[Psycho381]

If both sticks show the same blank area I don't think your ram supports xmp.

I have 2666 ram and it does not support xmp the jedec timings get it to 2666.

HOPEFULLY! meaning when I insert my new ram XMP should be supported. if not, well... smth is broken.

Edit: Just found G Skill Technical Support Email address and asked them does this kit support XMP, personally I could not find anything regarding it, and apparently Darkbreeze found on the spec sheet that it does support. Wont hurt to check.

 

[kerberos_20]

HOPEFULLY! meaning when I insert my new ram XMP should be supported. if not, well... smth is broken.

Edit: Just found G Skill Technical Support Email address and asked them does this kit support XMP, personally I could not find anything regarding it, and apparently Darkbreeze found on the spec sheet that it does support. Wont hurt to check.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CDN16-spS.pdf

your sticks doesnt have any xmp profile, only spd profile

 

[Psycho381]

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81CDN16-spS.pdf

your sticks doesnt have any xmp profile, only spd profile

Thank you, then I should have no issues with xmp when i get the ram that supports it.

Thank you everyone for helping me out past couple of days with multiple questions. <3

 

[Darkbreeze]

umm 2133 cl15 is pretty much just jedec

Yes, I said that. But it IN NO WAY does not mean a kit does not have an XMP profile and G.Skill SPECIFICALLY states that it has been tested at the XMP/EXPO configuration. As I posted. If you go look, which you SHOULD usually do before making statements like you did, you'd have seen that. Furthermore, there has NEVER been a Ripjaws kit, ever, without an XMP profile. Ever. Not since "XMP" was a thing anyhow. At least, not that I have seen. Nor a Trident Z kit without one, or an equivalent A-XMP, AMP or EXPO profile if the kit is intended for a non-Intel platform.

Nowhere on the link you posted does it say ANYTHING about not having an XMP profile, however, this link SPECIFICALLY states that it was tested at the XMP configuration.

https://www.gskill.com/specification/165/184/1536031285/F4-2133C15D-32GVR-Specification


And, beyond that, I specifically stated that it is LIKELY the same as the JEDEC profile, or the "SPD", which is actually the JEDEC profile which is what all memory kits have up to the supported platform parameters without the use of overclocking or profile configurations. Sometimes they actually have several of them aside from any XMP, AMP or A-XMP (And now of course EXPO, which is really just a new version of A-XMP and a way to avoid paying Intel any royalties for the use of "XMP" just like ASUS does with D.O.C.P regardless of what profiles are onboard).

As I said though, there may or may not be a difference in terms of the main timings, so it's probably a moot point anyhow, besides which the OP already said they were upgrading and that makes it even more of a moot point. Not sure why you felt the need to even go there, but whatever.

 

[kerberos_20]

Yes, I said that. But it IN NO WAY does not mean a kit does not have an XMP profile and G.Skill SPECIFICALLY states that it has been tested at the XMP/EXPO configuration. As I posted. If you go look, which you SHOULD usually do before making statements like you did, you'd have seen that. Furthermore, there has NEVER been a Ripjaws kit, ever, without an XMP profile. Ever. Not since "XMP" was a thing anyhow. At least, not that I have seen. Nor a Trident Z kit without one, or an equivalent A-XMP, AMP or EXPO profile if the kit is intended for a non-Intel platform.

Nowhere on the link you posted does it say ANYTHING about not having an XMP profile, however, this link SPECIFICALLY states that it was tested at the XMP configuration.

https://www.gskill.com/specification/165/184/1536031285/F4-2133C15D-32GVR-Specification


And, beyond that, I specifically stated that it is LIKELY the same as the JEDEC profile, or the "SPD", which is actually the JEDEC profile which is what all memory kits have up to the supported platform parameters without the use of overclocking or profile configurations. Sometimes they actually have several of them aside from any XMP, AMP or A-XMP (And now of course EXPO, which is really just a new version of A-XMP and a way to avoid paying Intel any royalties for the use of "XMP" just like ASUS does with D.O.C.P regardless of what profiles are onboard).

As I said though, there may or may not be a difference in terms of the main timings, so it's probably a moot point anyhow, besides which the OP already said they were upgrading and that makes it even more of a moot point. Not sure why you felt the need to even go there, but whatever.

thats just template page filled with some values

xmp or whaever is overclock profile, and theres nothing to overclock

here you go

 

[Darkbreeze]

That isn't even for the kit in question, since that is a 4GB x2 kit, but I'll admit it is the first time I've seen a Ripjaws kit that did not list an XMP profile regardless of whether it was within JEDEC spec or not when it came to it's advertised speeds, voltage and timings. Not sure why you think that page is any less "templated" than the product specific page I linked to, but whatever. As I said, it's fully moot at this point.

And XMP is much more than just an "overclock" profile, at least in terms of frequency. I have OFTEN seen kits with different profile timings than what the listed "SPD or JEDEC" profiles offered, even though both those and the XMP profile had the same frequency. MANY times.