I recently discovered that my RAM isn't the correct type for my setup. I built my first PC with some guidance, and now I need clarification. My motherboard is an ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi, and it supports AMD Ryzen processors. I'm using an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, which is a Zen 4 processor. The RAM I have is CORSAIR Vengeance RGB 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000, but it's currently running at only 3600 MT/s instead of the advertised speed. I have four sticks of this RAM installed, and I'm wondering if it's going to be okay since it's run fine for a year. Also, if I adjust the BIOS to set the speed to 6000 MT/s, could that damage anything? I noticed my RAM is only Intel XMP Ready and not AMD EXPO compatible.
2 Answers
1. No worries! It's common for RAM to run below its max advertised speeds, and as long as your system is stable, you're good to go.
2. Changing the speed to 6000 MT/s in BIOS might work, but it’s kind of a gamble. That’s what they call the silicon lottery. If it doesn’t work, you might need to manually adjust the settings or find a profile that suits your setup, but don’t be surprised if you can’t reach that speed with all four sticks.
You’re encountering a known issue with AM5 systems when using four sticks of RAM. While they can work with it, achieving EXPO speeds often proves tricky. It seems that your RAM isn't on the validated list for your motherboard, which adds to the challenge. However, you might be able to manually tune it in BIOS.
If you experimented with profiles and it wouldn’t boot, you’d want to try tuning it manually. Run memory tests to ensure it can handle the speed without issues afterward.
So, is it smarter to just use two sticks for better performance? I thought about it since I'm using four mainly for RGB effects.