DDR5 Memory Common Problems and Related Solutions

This article, which will be updated from time to time, is intended to answer common questions about DDR5 memory.

∆ ASRock motherboard demo.

Demonstration of QVL serial number lookup for a ∆ memory module.

 

Why does the memory not run at the nominal frequency?

Check if the Profile setting in the motherboard's BIOS has Profile1 turned on. Below is the approximate name of each BIOS Profile setting, which is provided for you to check the name in the BIOS for confirmation.

• GIGABYTE:XMP/EXPO Profile
• ASRock:Profile or DRAM Profile Configuration
• Little Lizard : XMP or EXPO Profile
• Common : AMD_DOCP / Intel_XMP or EXPO

 

How to checkMemory FrequencyMode of operation with IMC memory controller frequency

For current DDR5 platforms, the Memory Controller Frequency and Memory Frequency of Intel platforms are in Gear 2 mode (i.e. ½:1), and for Z890, with Gear Mode Auto, it is usually Gear 2 (depending on the board manufacturer) up to 8800 ~ 9000 MT/s. Above 9200 MT/s, it is usually Gear 4 (i.e. ¼:1). In the case of Z890, if the Gear Mode is kept Auto, it will be Gear 2 (½:1) up to 8800 ~ 9000 MT/s (depending on the board manufacturer), and then it will be Gear 4 (¼:1) up to 9200 MT/s and above.

AMD AM5 platform is based on the UCLK memory controller frequency, and MCLK memory equivalent frequency, the two frequency ratio to distinguish the mode of operation UCLK = MCLK or UCLK = MCLK/2, the Chinese side is called what the split-frequency, heterodyne frequency, the same frequency, the author does not care about what the language I am talking about the UCLK = MCLK this way, to the X870 in the case of the UCLK Mode remains Auto. In the case of X870, with UCLK Mode Auto, AM5 is usually UCLK=MCLK below 6000 MT/s, and UCLK=MCLK/2 from 6200 MT/s onwards.

All in all, Intel and AMD platforms operate on different principles, so it's funny to confuse the two. In addition, the DRAM Frequency you see in the CPU-Z software should be multiplied by 2 to show the actual full memory frequency.

How do I check if my Intel platform is Gear 2 or Gear 4 in my system? First, use a newer version of CPU-Z, then click on the Memory page and look at the ratio of Mem Controller Freq. to DRAM Frequency.

In Gear 2 mode, Mem Controller Freq. and DRAM Frequency will be ½:1, the former Mem Controller Freq. frequency x2 = the latter DRAM Frequency, which is Gear 2. In this picture, 2000 x2 = 4000.

For Gear 4 mode, it is the former Mem Controller Freq. frequency x4 = the latter DRAM Frequency, which is Gear 4. In this picture, it is 1316.9 x4 = about 5267.

 

And how does the AMD platform check if it is UCLK=MCLK or UCLK=MCLK/2 in the system? First, use a newer version of CPU-Z, then click on the Memory page to see the ratio of Mem Controller Freq. to DRAM Frequency.

△ UCLK=MCLK mode, Mem Controller Freq. and DRAM Frequency will be the same frequency, the former Mem Controller Freq. frequency = the latter DRAM Frequency, that is UCLK=MCLK, in this picture 3004.1 = 3004.1 ( 6000 MT/s).

△ UCLK=MCLK/2 mode, Mem Controller Freq. and DRAM Frequency will be ½:1, the former Mem Controller Freq. frequency x2 = the latter DRAM Frequency, that is UCLK=MCLK/2, in this picture 2003.4 x2 = 4006.7 (8000 MT/s). 4006.7 (8000 MT/s).

 

Correct SOP for upgrading memory

1. When the old memory is still on the motherboard, reset the XMP / EXPO Profile in the BIOS to the default (Auto/Disabled) state.
2. Then power off and replace the memory with a new one.
3. Update the BIOS at the JEDEC frequency (recommended, but not necessarily necessary, and can be done when the new memory profile fails to pass the self-test or is unstable).
4. Open the XMP / EXPO Profile parameter of the new memory itself.

*Supplementary: If the new memory can not pass the self-test at the JEDEC frequency, it is recommended to replace the old memory to update the BIOS, and then install the new memory to try it out.

 

AMD EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) and Intel XMP 3.0 (Extreme Memory Profile) Differences and FAQs

• Can't AM5 platform use XMP memory or Intel platform use EXPO memory? Can AMD use EXPO and Intel use XMP?

solution (a math equation)-> No, AM5 can use EXPO and XMP memory, and vice versa, Intel can also use both, the success of overclocking and stability depends on the overclocking capability of CPU/MB/BIOS/DRAM. However, it is always recommended to use QVL as the main overclocking method, it is the safest for you, next is the QVL query SOP for reference.

• What is the difference between AMD EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) and Intel XMP 3.0 (Extreme Memory Profile)?

solution (a math equation)-> There is no difference in the fundamental principle of the operation, it's all about writing the overclocking parameters in the SPD. The only difference is the input of the identifier in the SPD profile, but that has nothing to do with the user, so you can treat it as no difference.

• Will AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 memory be optimized for compatibility and stability based on their respective platforms (EXPO to AM5 motherboards/ XMP to Intel motherboards)?

solution (a math equation)-> Look at the different practices of memory brands and board makers, some brands will optimize for the combination of makers (e.g. EXPO to AM5 platform), some will not. However, memory manufacturers usually develop specifications according to the platform's capability, and will not mass produce memory profiles that exceed the platform's capability, e.g., EXPO cannot mass produce 9000 MT/s profiles now.

 

What should I do if I want to fill up four DDR5 memory sticks?

To plug in four DDR5 memory modules on a consumer platform, here are some of the things you can do to further increase the chances of stable usage of the built-in overclocking profile with a single click.

1. Direct purchase of memory module kits in sets of four, such as the one in this unboxing. G.SKILL Gigabyte Flare X5 Flame Gun DDR5 6000 CL28 192GB (4x48GB) Memory Module KitInstead of purchasing two sets of two strips to mix and match teams.
2. It is recommended to select motherboards, processor series, and memory modules that meet the QVL (Qualified Vendor List) compatibility list, and try not to miss any.
3. If budget permits, try to choose a higher-end motherboard model, as higher-end or flagship models have better PCB materials for better compatibility with 2R high-capacity quad-bar memory insertion, and it is recommended to update the BIOS to the latest version.
4. The processor is recommended to be selected according to the series indicated in the QVL list, and the memory controller of the processor itself will also affect whether it can pass the self-test or stabilize the use, but this part is a lottery for the average consumer, and it depends on the luck of the draw.
5. The four memory modules are installed in accordance with the SN last two codes in the order of installation, some module brand shipment verification may be in accordance with the order of their test to number, the insurance point in accordance with the last two codes in the order of sequence.
6. Enhance memory cooling planning if the motherboard accessories are not compatible with the memory. GIGABYTE Z890 AORUS MASTER、X870E AORUS MASTER A memory fan is also available and is recommended to be used in conjunction with a memory fan to enhance memory cooling and bring more stable usage.

 

Memory Profile open can not pass the motherboard self-test, can try to solve the problem

If you can't get past the motherboard's self-test after opening the Memory Profile in the BIOS, and you've updated to the latest BIOS version, you can still try to see the following ways, and you might be able to get past the self-test and enter the system to use it.

• Check that the memory is correctly installed in slots A2 and B2 (the second and fourth slots from left to right on the motherboard, counting from the CPU). By installing the two memories in these two positions, the memory can more easily operate at a higher frequency.
• The two memories are interchangeable.
• Check if the water-cooled PUMP has been set to run at full speed, because in some cases, if the processor temperature is too high during the self-test, the self-test will fail (even if the Memory Profile is turned on), and this may happen in the case of a one-piece water-cooler with poor cooling performance.
• Adjust the processor operating mode to the motherboard factory or processor overclocking mode, for example:GIGABYTE PerfDriveFor example, you can set the overclocking profile of AMD PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive), Power Delivery Profile, AMD PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) as the startup or the overclocking profile of the board manufacturer's optimization, because these optimizations may synchronously set the settings related to the memory train or voltage, so that when you turn on the overclocking-related settings of the processor, it will pass the self-test under the same platform, memory, and BIOS conditions. Therefore, after turning on the processor overclocking related settings, it is possible to pass the self-test under the same platform, memory, and BIOS conditions.
• For AM5 platform, it is highly recommended to enter Advanced CPU Settings (GIGABYTE) or AMD Overclocking setting in BIOS and set Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) to Enabled, which has a very high chance of solving the problem of Profile auto-detect. The following are some examples of how you can use the PBO to check the profile of your PC.

 

What is the ASUS Ai Overclock Tuner setting to choose?

There is an Ai Overclock Tuner setting in the BIOS of Pegatron, and I am personally curious about the performance difference of this setting. In this motherboard with G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Neo Royal Halberd EXPO Edition DDR5 8000MT/s 48GB (2x24GB) When using a dual-channel memory set, you can see EXPO I, EXPO II, EXPO Tweaked, AEMP, On The fly and so on, and the author is curious about the performance of EXPO I, EXPO II, EXPO Tweaked, but because this time with an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, the performance of read and copy will not be as good as a dual CCD processor due to the limitations of a single CCD processor. However, since we are using an AMD Ryzen 5 8400F processor, the read and copy performance is not as good as a dual CCD processor due to the limitations of a single CCD processor, and is usually only within 80GB, so we will take a look at the write and latency performance to see if it has changed.

• EXPO I: Load memory overclocking profile related timings and apply ASUS optimization.
• EXPO II: Overclocking Profile written in loaded memory.
• EXPO Tweaked: Loads memory overclocking profiles and adjusts them to improve performance.
• AEMP: Provides an optimized profile based on the memory IC, allowing JEDEC-spec memory to gain additional overclocking performance.
• On The fly: Gamers will be able to turn on and off the EXPO Profile in the system with the new Ryzen Master software, which seems to be able to adjust memory overclocking related settings as well.

The ∆ Ai Overclock Tuner setting is relevant.

 

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark It is mainly used to test the performance of processor caches and RAM. The read/write/copy bandwidth performance score represents the rate of transfer between CPU and memory, which means the efficiency of data throughput (the higher the score, the better), and the time delay score of accessing data indicates the responsiveness of the memory system.

∆ Use the EXPO I setting.

∆ Use the EXPO II setting.

∆ Use the EXPO Tweaked setting.