If you have not enabled XMP in your BIOS, you are losing performance

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Once you've built your first custom PC, you might have immediately set about installing a few games and enjoying the machine you've put together. We've all done it, the excitement of the moment is hard to ignore, but there's one thing you should definitely enable before firing up the latest games. That's XMP, a type of overclock for your RAM modules that allows you to reach the speed and latency values ​​specified by your RAM kit. On AMD systems, this might be called DOCP or EXPO, but it's the same basic idea, a performance boost to your PC with just one click.



This one BIOS setting provides more performance

Whether it's called XMP, DOCP or EXPO, make sure it's enabled

Whether your PC uses DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5, they all support the same set of optimized overclocking speeds known as XMP (or DOCP or EXPO on AMD platforms). This one-click setting can significantly improve your computer's performance, and it's highly recommended that you set it before doing anything else with your new PC.

You can find the XMP or EXPO settings in the BIOS of each motherboard manufacturer.

  • MSI: You can find XMP in the OC menu under DRAM settingor it is called A-XMP
  • ASUS: Extreme Tweaker is what you want to look for and a setting for AI Overclocking
  • ASRock: Search for OC Tweaker Menu containing an entry for XMP or EXPO
  • Gigabytes: Search for Tweaker Menu containing an entry for Extreme Memory Profile


When you first enter these settings, it is always set to Auto by default. To enable XMP or EXPO, change them to Profile 1 and set the speeds and timings to the values ​​your RAM was sold with. If after rebooting, you find that your PC won't boot or doesn't seem to be running properly, go back into the BIOS and try Profile 2 or lower the DRAM frequency by a band or two.

Why you should enable XMP

BIOS default settings result in lower speeds


The default settings in a motherboard's BIOS are set up to make the first boot as smooth as possible. This is important because it tells you if you've put your components together correctly or if one of them might be faulty. While they're optimized for the task, these default settings shouldn't be used for everyday use or peak performance. The default JEDEC profiles for RAM are quite conservative and are easily exceeded by the speeds supported by most motherboard and CPU combinations. Without enabling XMP or the AMD alternatives DOCP or EXPO, you're not taking full advantage of the hardware you've bought, and that's a shame.


There may be situations where you don't want to enable XMP. Some tasks are sensitive to RAM overclocks, and setting slower speeds may make those tasks run more stable. Or if you're trying to run four DDR5 modules on an AM5 or Z790 motherboard, you may need to lower the speeds on the XMP settings to get them to run reliably. Modern CPUs support faster RAM better when only two modules are installed, as four puts more strain on the onboard memory controller.

Now you know why XMP or EXPO is crucial for your PC's performance

Although XMP and EXPO are technically overclocking, they safely use the settings the manufacturer intended for these RAM modules to run. Enabling them can boost performance with very little effort. If you find stability is an issue, especially if you're using four modules, try lowering the frequency by a band or two and see if that improves the situation. And if you want the highest speeds possible, look for the best gaming RAM and pair it with a high-end motherboard for the best chance of success.


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