How to overclock DDR4 RAM

[martin.carline]

Hey guys,

I am looking to buy this memory as it seems to be the cheapest for 3200Mhz (£155) -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patriot-Memory-DDR4-3200-MHz-288-pin-Heatsink/dp/B016A29PWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532335772&sr=8-1&keywords=patriot+16gb+ddr4

I will be pairing this with an i5 8600k and MSI gaming plus motherboard. Currently have a GTX1060 6gb but am looking to upgrade when 11 series comes out.

What I would like to know is how I overclock the RAM? I know that I can use the XMP profile to get the rated 3200Mhz, however can I push the RAM further? I have had a very old system now for 8 years so the BIOS is really old and I know that the new MSI BIOS will be a lot different.

Will the BIOS just allow me to choose higher Mhz like 4000Mhz for example?
I play PUBG mainly and don't do any video editing.

Thanks

 

[MeanMachine41]

Sometimes you can however DIMMs are binned at the factory into their best achievable frequency.
It's a matter of trial and error with no guarantee. Loosening Primary Timings or a slight increase in Dram voltage can do it but keep an eye on temperatures. Best is usually to stick with your XMP profile and I very much doubt 4000Mhz from a 3200Mhz kit will be achieved.

 

[martin.carline]

Sometimes you can however DIMMs are binned at the factory into their best achievable frequency.
It's a matter of trial and error with no guarantee. Loosening Primary Timings or a slight increase in Dram voltage can do it but keep an eye on temperatures.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I am happy if I only get a slight increase to say 3666Mhz or something. I have never done this before so would like to just increase the voltage of possible as I have no idea about timings and what to set them too. So I'm assuming I can just literally choose the Mhz within the BIOS and test it?

 

[MeanMachine41]

Yes if Bios allows you the choice. Do it in incremental steps. Knowing your Bios is fundamental to being able to Overclock and you won't go far without knowing Primary Timings and what they do.