XMP 1,2, Tweaked

[va02gaming]

I have a z790-h with some Corsair 7200mhz memory and a 14700k, can someone please explain to me exactly what each xmp profile is

[Silent_Scone · Accepted solution]

Hi @va02gaming ,

XMP/EXPO I - This is the validated board profile. Every time a board is validated with a particular memory kit, the memory vendor and ASUS use this profile to validate the kit for the QVL.

XMP/EXPO II - This is the default DIMM profile from the memory vendor and contains sub-timings stored within the SPD EEPROM of the memory module. 

XMP/EXPO Tweaked - This is the fastest profile and contains various tuned sub-timings and memory parameters by ASUS.

[christian_roth]

XMP II should be pretty stable, the Tweaked XMP II might be unstable depending on the quality of your individual RAM bars. 

I have Corsair 6000 DDR5 RAM, the Tweaked version was somewhat unstable under heavy load

[PlzCalmDown]

Would it not be safe to assume that anything listed on the ASUS approved/compatible RAM - should run XMP Tweaked profile properly without further adjustments?

[Silent_Scone]

No, it would not. All XMP profiles are classified as overclocking, and do not offer assurances due to the nature of running parts outside of specification.

XMP Tweaked is the most aggressive profile in terms of latency, so some CPUs and memory kits may not be stable without further adjustments.

[PlzCalmDown]

Thanks for response.  From my understanding so far, I have a Z790E WIFI II, i9-13900K, and QVL Approved 6400mhz RAM - if this eventually helps anyone else:

Auto/No Setting - RAM Runs at 5600mhz which is the highest (my MOBO) will run without Overclocking
XMP 1 - Best Setting for Average User, will run the RAM at 6400mhz (this gives you the product advertised speeds and proven by ASUS/QVL)
XMP 2 - RAM Manufacturer default (this will give you 6400mhz but at RAM Manufacturer settings which could've been proven on any MOBO)
XMP Tweaked - Fastest Profile but if you are using this you probably already know what you're doing

QUESTIONS:
1) Is there a difference between setting XMP 1 and DRAM to 6400mhz Frequency; vs setting profile to Auto and DRAM to 6400mhz?  I saw a guide where one said to choose XMP 1 and then select RAM speed, and another guide that simply left profile on Auto.  I hunch is no difference - hopefully Auto will select XMP 1 for you?

2) I'm browsing the internet as we speak... but in CPU-Z, what is NB Frequency?  It fluctuates during a benchmark, so one would assume it's the actual frequency the RAM is operating at.  But with the RAM set to 6400mhz, during bench; the NB Frequency only ever maxxed out at 5000mhz.

[Silent_Scone]

XMP 1 - validated proflie - ASUS optimised subtimings.

XMP 2 - default DIMM profile. Also apply more sub-timings from SPD EEPROM of the memory module. This is closest to the recommended timings by the memory module manufacturer.

XMP Tweaked - Most aggressive latency, ASUS-controlled sub-timings and MRC settings.

1) Yes, they are different. XMP profile stored on the SPD table of the memory module contains additional information, which can include (depending on the memory vendor) but not limited to:
VDD, VDDQ, VCCSA, IMC VDD, Frequency, various primary and sub timings. Simply changing the memory frequency will only change DRAM Freq various board auto rules for timings MRC settings and voltages, but does not include VDD or VDDQ.

2) NB Frequency in CPUZ is the uncore frequency.

[PlzCalmDown]

If stable, XMP 2 would be the way to go then? As this is the profile recommended and created by the RAM manufacturer and should be the closest to the advertised speeds.

When ASUS Optimises subtimings in XMP 1, it most likely would be more stable - but not as fast as XMP 2 since ASUS probably stays on the safe side?

[Vynra]

also asus is probably one of the best ram and cpu overclockers in the world. they always break records. they know their stuff.

[Silent_Scone]

You can inspect the timings yourself. ASUS don't validate the DIMM profile (XMP II). This is just a secondary option for systems that are not stable, and there's no guarantee it is any more stable than the board profile (XMP I). It's merely that, more often than not, the DIMM profile will use relaxed memory subsets compared to ASUS optimised timings.