Understanding EZ XMP?

[RadWalk]

I have a Z97-A motherboard (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K2MAU5Q/?tag=pcpapi-20) and I bought corsair vengeance Pro 16GB DDR3 2400MHz (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/?tag=pcpapi-20). I noticed a light on my motherboard and found that it was the EZ XMP light, apparently it had been on without me knowing. This caused me to look into what it does and I am a bit confused.

To my understanding my ram only runs at 1333 MHz currently due to this being considered the highest stable build, correct? The cards can obviously do up to 2400 MHz, but I didn't really have an interest in overclocking my system. Can someone please explain to me how the EZ XMP works? If I flip the switch will it automatically choose a higher timing setting or does it require selecting a profile in the BIOS? Is this worth doing?

Here is a link to my full build if this info helps:

 

[TbsToy]

Forget the switch. Return it to it's standard setting. Go into the BIOS and click on XMP enabled on the main page. Go into Advanced settings and find the memory speed line . Roll down to the speeds and click on 2400 in the list. Exit and click Save changes and reboot. Use CPUID, as admin. to check memory speed and it should list 1200 or real close close. Remember that the memory is DDR. Done. If not, do the whole scenario over. If it isn't stable the BIOS will let ya know as it won't let ya boot. Running memory at it's rated speed because of it's tested stability speed isn't over clocking.
Walt Prill.

 

[photonboy]

Hi,

1) 1333MHz is a default, SAFE value in general that most modern boards use (it's 667MHz per stick in Dual-Channel mode technially).

2) OVERCLOCKING is not what you're doing if the stick supports 1866MHz and you are using that. A stick of memory actually has SEVERAL profiles with the timings associated to that profile that it can use.

(Overclocking is manually going above the max rated values of the memory)

3) XMP?
Each stick has a code that the motherboard can recognize if the BIOS contains that info (sometimes need to update the BIOS).

When you select "XMP" you apply the optimal memory profile that the memory supports. If it's labelled as an "1866MHz" kit then this is likely what you'll get.

Other:
a) I didn't read the manual for your specific motherboard, but if that XMP works differently from a regular XMP profile it will indicate, otherwise it's probably the same as selecting it from within the BIOS

b) Use MEMTEST as well and run a full pass www.memtest.org

c) CPU diagnostic: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/19792/Intel-Processor-Diagnostic-Tool-64-bit-

d) Download and adjust software for fan profile from motherboard support site (CPU and case fans as applicable)

e) Prime95 to stress test CPU and look for memory issues under LOAD (some of the memory not all)

 

[photonboy]

Update:
Make sure to read the motherboard manual and put the sticks in the correct slots. Possibly 2nd and 4th left to right but again read the manual.

*I recommend running MEMTEST for a full pass prior to installing Windows. So:

1. Build PC, but leave HDD/SSD unhooked for now (minimum setup)
2. Set XMP
3. MEMTEST for full pass
4. build PC, install Windows etc., setup fan profile software
5. run Windows based tests for stability/temperature etc (CPU diagnostic, Prime95)

 

[RadWalk]

Update:
Make sure to read the motherboard manual and put the sticks in the correct slots. Possibly 2nd and 4th left to right but again read the manual.

*I recommend running MEMTEST for a full pass prior to installing Windows. So:

1. Build PC, but leave HDD/SSD unhooked for now (minimum setup)
2. Set XMP
3. MEMTEST for full pass
4. build PC, install Windows etc., setup fan profile software
5. run Windows based tests for stability/temperature etc (CPU diagnostic, Prime95)

I've already built the computer. It's working, BIOS, OS, Drivers all installed already. I just was curious about this. I honestly only want to do this if it's really worth the extra speed. It seems like a lot of effort to set a higher timing speed.

 

[TbsToy]

"It seems like a lot of effort to set a higher timing speed". Not timings, speed. It really doesn't take much effort just a little learning curve. This is basically a set and forget thing. 2400 runs almost twice as fast as 1333. Why would one not want to run their memory at it's rated speed? Hmmmmm.
W.P.

 

[TbsToy]

"It seems like a lot of effort to set a higher timing speed". Not timings, speed. It really doesn't take much effort just a little learning curve. This is basically a set and forget thing. 2400 runs almost twice as fast as 1333. Why would one not want to run their memory at it's rated speed? Hmmmmm.
W.P.

 

[photonboy]

Update:
Make sure to read the motherboard manual and put the sticks in the correct slots. Possibly 2nd and 4th left to right but again read the manual.

*I recommend running MEMTEST for a full pass prior to installing Windows. So:

1. Build PC, but leave HDD/SSD unhooked for now (minimum setup)
2. Set XMP
3. MEMTEST for full pass
4. build PC, install Windows etc., setup fan profile software
5. run Windows based tests for stability/temperature etc (CPU diagnostic, Prime95)

I've already built the computer. It's working, BIOS, OS, Drivers all installed already. I just was curious about this. I honestly only want to do this if it's really worth the extra speed. It seems like a lot of effort to set a higher timing speed.

It's not a lot of extra effort. Basically select "XMP" setting in the BIOS and save.

With a good CPU like you have it's likely you will be losing performance by starving the CPU in some scenarios if only running 1333MHz. Generally with a good CPU like that 1866MHz is the point where it's hard to find scenarios where faster memory matters (I'm ignoring CAS for this discussion since I know you don't understand that).