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Why is my RAM speed lower than expected?

Jules
Updated

When you receive your Gaming PC, you may notice that the RAM speed reported in Windows is lower than expected (i.e. 4800 MT/s instead of 6000 MT/s).  This occurs when the system is shipped with the RAM set at its default speed rather than its rated speed.

Default Speed

Rated Speed
  • The base speed set for the RAM modules at the time of assembly.
  • Generally 4800, 5200, or 5600 MT/s for DDR5 depending on the spec of the memory.
  • Generally higher stability compared to Rated Speed.
  • The highest validated speed for the memory kit by the manufacturer.
  • Ranges can vary depending on the spec of the memory kit.
  • Generally higher performance compared to Default, but can cause instability.
  • Accessed through baked-in overclocking profiles such as AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP.

What are AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP?

AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP are features found on many modern PCs to allow easy access to higher RAM performance with only a few clicks.  This is done by including pre-configured profiles on the RAM modules that can be read and set up by the motherboard.

Why was AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP not enabled by default?

With many of our older Gaming PCs, AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP would not be enabled by default as they are considered a form of overclocking.  Overclocking includes the risk of reduced system stability and can increase the wear experienced by a component.  More recent Gaming PCs will include these features enabled out-of-the-box to provide the maximum performance benefit to all users.

Does enabling or disabling AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP affect my warranty?

Our Gaming PC warranty covers enabling AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP, however during troubleshooting we may advise you to disable these features as part of the troubleshooting process prior to setting up a warranty claim.

How do I enable AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP?

AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP can be enabled via the motherboard UEFI or BIOS, usually as a simple one-click option or an easily accessible dropdown.  For motherboard specific guides, please check out the articles below:

I enabled AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP but my PC is now crashing or not booting, what do I do?

If you are experiencing stability issues such as crashing, not booting, etc. please reach out to our Customer Support team for further assistance.  

Slow Startup Times with 4 Modules

Please note:  When enabling AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP on system with four (4) memory modules, you may experience slower startup times during an initial startup (cold boot).  This startup time can be as long as 2-6 minutes depending on the capacity and spec of the memory used, as the memory will need to be re-mapped and trained to work with the memory controller.

If you are experiencing issues with four-module configurations, we would recommend not enabling AMD EXPO™ or Intel® XMP.

For more information, check out our guide here:  Adding RAM to your Gaming PC

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