XMP not available, WUT?

[JustGetOwned]

So I checked my BIOS to see if I could get a nice overclock on my CPU but for some weird reason I couldn't because there was no option to enable an XMP profile.

My RAM has the ability to make an XMP profile and my motherboard and CPU should too. In my motherboard manual it even says how to enable it but that botton isn't there in my BIOS. Do I have to somehow change the BIOS or did the company that put together my pc block the ability of overclocking to protect my system from myself?

Here is a list of all my components:
Asus R9 290X GPU
Intel core i-7 4770k CPU
Asus H97-pro MOBO
Corsair CMS3 8gb single DDR3 RAM
Samsung EVO 250gb SSD
Seagate Barracuda 2tb HDD
Cooler Master CM Storm Enforcer Case
My PSU: Corsair RM1000
NZXT sleeved led kit white 2m (not really relevent, lol)

Here is a link to Corsair's site with info on my RAM. At the tech specs you'll find that is supports XMP. http://www.corsair.com/en-us/xms3-8gb-ddr3-memory-kit-cmx8gx3m1a1333c9

Thanks in advance!

 

[VicVega1]

It's a FAT32, should be fine right?

yes, that's the correct system

Is the .CAP file going to be the good format?

that's the correct file type, yes

Nevermind, my motherboard doesn't have any buttons there.

what do you mean? it has to. did you check on the motherboard too (meaning - not on the back)?

 

[JustGetOwned]

I can't find anything about it in the manual. There is so much going on on that thing where should I look for it?

 

[VicVega1]

it should be on the "bottom" of the board. Right next to a little power button. Under the last PCI-E slot.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=59631

 

[JustGetOwned]

My z97-pro board doesn't look like that.

 

[JustGetOwned]

Well this makes a lot of things clear. I actually have a h97-pro board. For some weird reason my retarded brain has mixed up the H with a z. Does this mean I have to buy a new MOBO to overclock?

 

[VicVega1]

That came across my mind a couple of times actually
You don't need to buy a new mobo - I think Asus has unlocked the OC option for their non Z boards, but you will have to update the BIOS. But this time please download the upgrade for your specific motherboard. I think it should unlock overclocking features.

 

[JustGetOwned]

Thanks for your help, sorry for wasting your time by not propperly checking my hardware. I'll give you a 'best answer' when everything works.

 

[VicVega1]

No problem, glad I could be of any help
Let me know how it went.

 

[JustGetOwned]

I just updated my BIOS to the latest version of my motherboard but I still can't overclock.

 

[VicVega1]

What's your CPU model?

 

[JustGetOwned]

It's in my components list, the i-7 4770k

 

[VicVega1]

Ok, I think I might know what the problem is. The overclocking support came for the Intel Pentium 20th anniversary. Perhaps the OC support was implementented only in that BIOS update and taken down later on.
Go to your motherboards page and download that particular BIOS update. It's listed as "Version 2001" (H97-PRO BIOS 2001 Support Intel® Pentium® Anniversary Edition CPU). Try flashing your BIOS to that version and see what happens.

 

[JustGetOwned]

I just did, but it hasn't changed anything.

 

[VicVega1]

Ok, I have to ask are u 100% sure your i7-4770 is the "K" version?

 

[JustGetOwned]

I am 1000% sure. My BIOS says it's the K, every software application I have used like CPU-z says it's the K series.

 

[VicVega1]

Ok, so it's possible that it was just a limited time thing.
Check this out: http://www.asus.com/sg/News/0yYwfwL2ZA9CFAMK says here you should be able to OC. If that OC support was in fact taken down, then there is still a possibility that somebody, perhaps on this forum, has that original OC BIOS saved (or maybe it's downloadable somwhere) and you could try using that. You'd just have to look for it. Other than that, I think you would have to get a "Z" board, if you can't find that or it wouldn't work.
Are you sure that the BIOS update went good? You did everything correctly and the verion of BIOS actually changed?

 

[JustGetOwned]

Yes, my BIOS version is 2001 but I downloaded it from the ASUS website so they might have changed it. I will look on the internet for that BIOS version.

 

[VicVega1]

I just found a guy who claims he has the original BIOS update saved. Hit him up, he'll propably share if he still has it http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/members/rcoon.104854/

 

[JustGetOwned]

I just updated the BIOS to his 2001 version but it didn't change anything. I did however just find out something very remarkable. In the list of components of the agreement with the company that built my pc, it says they were going to put in the z87-k motherboard instead of the H97-pro I have right now. The H97-pro is more expensive than the z97-k so I will ask them to put in a Z motherboard that is closer to the price of the H97-pro. What motherboard do you think I should choose? It doesn't matter if I have to pay a little bit extra for it. I mostly use my pc for gaming.
The company that built my pc has made a similar mistake that was fixed like 1-2 months ago. They had put in a Asus r9 290 instead of the 290X.

 

[VicVega1]

Wow.. some company. They are either super sloppy about their jobs or were just trying to rip you off..
If you're looking for a good overclock on your CPU you should propably get the Z97-pro or pro Gamer, cause they will propably give you best results. But I don't know all the details and can't get to them right now. There may be a better choice for your dollar - ASUS makes great boards, but there are others: ASRock (there's a Extreme 6 board for example), the MSI Z97 Gaming is another great mobo.. There are motherboard reviews on this site that you can get into, but I'm sure you'll be happy with that z97-pro, if it's not too expensive.
If you're not in a hurry, get into the details a bit more, read some reviews, make a more conscious choice. There are many threads also on this forum where people ask about those boards, look them up, or make a new thread.
A thing to remember is that you make sure the new mobo supports your RAM (though if the guys who built your PC screwed up with the mobo then it's their problem if it won't work, right?) and since your looking to overclock, you may need a new CPU cooler if you're running on Intel's stock now.

 

[JustGetOwned]

Yes, I wanted to test my overclock capability on my CPU to decide on what cooler I will need.

 

[VicVega1]

No, no - first get a good cooler, then start overclocking. You won't be able to check the capability on a stock cooler. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is a good one, not too expensive, but propably best for moderate overclocking. I love the Noctua DH-15 cooler, but it's huge, expensive and more suitable for extreme overclocking. Look up some threads, there's plenty about CPU coolers here.