[SOLVED] Ryzen 5 5600 max memory speed

[Kronos4]

I am building a PC and have bought a Ryzen 5 5600 CPU and noticed the max memory speed is 3200. The RAM I bought is 3600. I've been informed I should avoid XMP and manually overclock to 3200. That 3600 speed RAM could strain the 5600 CPU which can cause it to become faulty after some time if it's pushed too far. I have read others say XMP and using slightly faster RAM than the CPU is completely safe though. I don't know what to believe. I'm considering returning the RAM and just buying 3200 to be safe


Can anyone please give me some advice with this? The motherboard is a MSI-B550 just for reference

 

[Lutfij]

DDR4-3600MHz would be what the memory controller and the board can handle. manually input timings, voltage and frequency in BIOS, after you've made sure that the motherboard is on the latest BIOS version.

 

[Kronos4]

DDR4-3600MHz would be what the memory controller and the board can handle. manually input timings, voltage and frequency in BIOS, after you've made sure that the motherboard is on the latest BIOS version.

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand. What does it mean when the specifications for the Ryzen 5 5600 CPU state that the maximum memory speed is DDR4-3200? Manually changing voltage, timings, etc based on which numbers? I've not done this before.

 

[CountMike]

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand. What does it mean when the specifications for the Ryzen 5 5600 CPU state that the maximum memory speed is DDR4-3200? Manually changing voltage, timings, etc based on which numbers? I've not done this before.

That means that CPU internal Memory Controller (IMC) is rated at maximum tested and determined 3200MHz frequency (and with it RAM) which every memory rated at least that high is practically guaranteed to work. Memory higher than that would cause IMC overclock. It doesn't mean it can't be overclocked, just it's not certain. (may involve some luck per "Silicone lottery". It also depends on particular RAM and somewhat of the MB and BIOS. OC-ing IMC doesn't OC rest of CPU.
Ram,on the other hand, has to conform to JEDEC standards which tells BIOS what settings to make for it to work at set frequencies. XMP is an extension (made by Intel) of that. It has suggestions to BIOS to make settings for RM to work it's best frequency and other settings. Some (higher rated ones has 2 of such settings.
With AMD platform, XMP may be called by different name like DOCP in Asus MBs. But it's essentially same thing.
There's no real, objective reason not tor try XMP first, it will not put undue stress on CPU, it's either accepted by BIOS as it is, maybe with some changes or may not work out at all. Only after that fails you may want to set bIOS manually.