Setting up RAM in bios asus. Setting the frequency of RAM modules in the BIOS

Advanced users are well aware of the term “overclocking,” which implies increasing the performance of a particular computer component beyond the standard mode. The procedure for overclocking RAM includes manually setting the operating frequency of the modules, which is what we want to talk about today.

Before we start increasing the memory frequency, let's note a few important points.

• Not all motherboards support this function: most often, the frequency setting is found in models aimed at gamers or computer enthusiasts. Also, such settings are usually missing in laptops.
• It is imperative to take into account the type of installed RAM, especially in BIOSes, where it is possible to manually enter the frequency value.
• Higher frequencies are usually accompanied by an increase in heat generated, so it is strongly recommended to install serious cooling.

The actual procedure for increasing the memory frequency differs from the type of BIOS installed on the board.

Attention! To fully overclock RAM, simply increasing the frequency is not enough - you will also need to change some other parameters such as timings and voltage! This is discussed in a separate article!

Let's look at examples of the most common options. Of course, first you need to go into the BIOS - in the article at the link below you will find detailed instructions on how to enter the firmware interface.

Text option

Classic text BIOS with keyboard control are becoming a thing of the past, but for some users they are still relevant.

Please note that in some cases, the options in each of the BIOSes under consideration may change the name or location - depending on the motherboard manufacturer.

Graphic shell

Almost all modern advanced motherboards come with a UEFI graphical interface, which is more convenient to use. Consequently, setting the RAM clock frequency in such firmware options is quite simple.

Gigabyte

Conclusion

This concludes the description of methods for adjusting the frequency of RAM through various BIOSes. Finally, we remind you once again that you should change these parameters only if you clearly understand what you are doing.

Many people mistakenly believe that installing RAM is as easy as shelling pears, there is supposedly no need to configure it, and there is no point in overclocking it at all. In reality, everything is much more complicated, and now I will tell you in the form of questions and answers how to squeeze maximum performance out of RAM.

The editors would like to thank the companies that kindly provided memory kits and motherboards for testing.

Is it possible to combine memory of different models, brands and frequencies?

In theory, a PC can use several RAM modules not only from different manufacturers, but also with different frequencies. In this case, all memory will operate at the frequency of the slowest module. But in practice, incompatibility conflicts may arise: the PC may not start at all, or periodic OS crashes may occur. Therefore, it is better to immediately buy RAM in a set of two or four modules, especially if you plan to overclock. Modules from the same set use chips from the same batch and have identical overclocking potential.

How useful is multi-channel memory mode?

All modern Intel and desktop processor platforms support at least dual-channel memory. In turn, Intel Core i7 Gulftown and Intel Xeon Nehalem and Westmere processors support three-channel mode, and AMD Opteron 6000 series, Intel Core i7 LGA 2011 and Xeon E5 and E7 support four-channel mode (eight memory slots).

The dual-channel memory mode adds 5 to 10 percent performance to the processor, while the integrated graphics accelerator adds up to 50 percent. That is why when assembling on an AMD A8-7600 processor with integrated Radeon R7 graphics, we strictly recommend using two memory modules.

If you have only two memory modules and a motherboard with four DIMM slots, it is important not to make a mistake with the installation order. So, in order to use the dual-channel mode, the modules need to be inserted into the connectors through one, that is, the first and third, or the second and fourth. Perhaps the second option is more universal, since the first slot can be covered by a large processor cooler, such as . However, for memory and with low-profile radiators this is not a problem.

You can check whether the memory really works in dual-channel mode using the AIDA64 application (menu item “Test cache and memory”). The same program will help you measure memory performance before and after overclocking.

How to adjust memory frequency and timings?

Immediately after installation, the RAM often operates at its minimum frequency, or at the frequency that the processor officially supports. For example, the 2400 MHz HyperX Savage on an Intel Core i3-4130 processor ran at just 1600 MHz by default. You can set the maximum memory frequency in the motherboard BIOS settings: either manually or using Intel XMP technology (supported even by AMD motherboards).

If you manually select 2400 MHz, the memory will operate at standard timings (latencies) for this frequency of 11-14-14-33. But in practice, HyperX Savage can work stably at the same frequency with lower timings. But it is the ratio of high frequencies and low timings that guarantees high memory performance.

To avoid having to manually select the value of each timing, Intel has developed a technology called Extreme Memory Profile. It allows you to literally select the optimal memory profile, prepared in advance by the manufacturer, in literally two clicks. So, our version of HyperX Savage supports two XMP profiles: 2400 MHz 11-13-14-32 and 2133 MHz 11-13-13-30. The first is relevant, for example, for a motherboard with support for memory overclocking to 3300 MHz, and the second for a motherboard in which the RAM frequency is limited to 2133 MHz.

How to overclock memory?

Overclocking something (processor, video card, memory) is always a lottery: one copy can overclock well, the second one, exactly the same, can overclock poorly. There is no need to be afraid that the memory will fail during overclocking: if you set the frequency too high, it simply will not start.

If the motherboard does not have a function to automatically rollback overclocking settings after several unsuccessful attempts to start the PC, you can reset the settings manually using the Clear CMOS jumper (another name for JBAT).

In the case of RAM, you will have to select experimentally not only the frequency and supply voltage, but also the timings. Moreover, it is not a fact that it will be possible to select a better ratio than what is provided by the maximum XMP profile. In the case of HyperX Savage, this is exactly what happened: the memory was overclocked to a frequency of 2600 MHz, but the timings had to be increased to 12-14-15-33.

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark

Measuring memory performance with the aforementioned AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark program before and after overclocking showed an average speed drop of 14 percent. So overclocking the memory by 200 MHz above the nominal turned out to be effective in theory, but useless in practice. But this is the case with the top 2400 MHz version of the HyperX Savage, and the lower frequency version, such as the 1600 MHz, has much better potential for manual overclocking.

conclusions

As you can see, installing and configuring RAM correctly is not that difficult, especially if it supports ready-made XMP profiles. If you buy memory as a kit, you can get a performance boost not only from the dual-channel mode, but also from successful overclocking. To avoid incompatibility with large processor coolers, it is better to choose a low-profile RAM, especially if you plan to use the memory slot closest to the processor.

How to change the frequency of RAM?

Master's answer:

Setting up RAM can improve your computer's performance by increasing its operating speed by 10-20%.

There are two ways to increase the RAM frequency: by changing its multiplier or the system bus frequency. The second option is the safest for the device, since it does not give sudden jumps, but allows you to gradually increase performance. So, download, install and run the Speccy utility. The “RAM” menu displays the current operating frequency of the board. Next, reboot the computer. Having opened the BIOS, press the Del key and go to the Advanced menu, in it we need to find the FSB/Memory Ratio item, although depending on the motherboard model, it may have a different name. The set parameter for this item will be Auto, replace it with Manual, this will make it possible to set your own frequency and multiplier values. Now raise the RAM bus frequency by 20-50 Hz.

In the main BIOS menu window, find the Save & Exit item, click and wait for the computer to reboot. Now we check how stable the RAM is. To do this: click “Start”, then “Control Panel”. In the “System and Security” menu, go to “Administration” and run “Windows Memory Check”. Accordingly, we confirm the completion of the reboot required for this check. In case of good results, we repeat everything again, i.e. go to the BIOS menu and once again increase the frequency of the RAM. This must be done until the verification system shows an error. After this, we alternately reduce the indicators of the four types of timings by one point. You can find them in Advanced Settings.

If suddenly a failure occurs and the computer stops booting, simply remove the BOIS battery from it for a while, this will restore the factory settings.

To speed up the operation of a computer system, you can play tricks with RAM, increasing its performance. The article will tell you how and why else you need to set the RAM settings, as well as where to change the frequency and timing settings in the BIOS.

Why do you need to configure RAM in BIOS?

After installing RAM, changing its settings can be useful. After all, without additional settings of the bar, operatives can work at the minimum of their capabilities. And by setting up the RAM in your own way, you can overclock it - increase the frequency. This can improve your computer's performance. However, it is worth knowing that not every RAM and not all motherboards support this. So if you need such an opportunity, you should take care of this before purchasing components.

Advice: If you plan to install new brackets in your PC yourself, it is better to install complete models, like , with the same timings and frequency. Otherwise, the higher frequency option will automatically operate at the speed of the slower one, or they will conflict and the entire system will stop working.

Note: a pair of 4 GB sticks works more efficiently than one eight GB stick. Dual-channel mode makes it possible to increase CPU performance by 5-10%, and GPU performance by up to 50%. If the PC has 4 slots, and the user has two modules, then to activate multi-channel, they should be installed through one.

How to configure RAM in BIOS

There are three main ways to change settings in the BIOS. Each of them corresponds to the motherboard firmware installed in the system. For this reason, the user should study the characteristics of the motherboard before changing anything.

Warning! Touching the subsystem by an unprepared user means the possibility of spoiling something and violating the terms of the warranty. If you are unsure, it is better to go to a specialist.

Award BIOS

1. While the computer is rebooting, enter the BIOS using a special key or a combination of keyboard buttons. It may vary depending on the motherboard.

2. Use the combination Ctrl + F1 to get to the settings.

3. A window will open where you need to use the arrows to move to “MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)” and press Enter.

4. In the next menu, find “System Memory Multiplier”. Here you can set the RAM clock frequency up or down by changing the multiplier. Do not overestimate the specified value, otherwise there is a risk of making things worse.

Important! Any changes should be made gradually: one step at a time, and after each change, restart the PC and check if everything is in order.

Note: You can increase RAM performance by increasing the voltage, but this should be done extremely carefully. The safe maximum is 0.15 volts.

AMI BIOS

This system is not particularly different from the previous one. Only the names of the items have been changed. So, after logging in, you need to find “Advanced BIOS Features” and go to “Advanced DRAM Configuration”, and then change the settings similarly to the above diagram.

UEFI BIOS

A solution that is installed in most modern motherboards. It has a clear and attractive interface, is usually Russified and supports management. For owners of such boards, moving through BIOS sections using arrows is a thing of the past.

There are significantly more options for customizing RAM than in previous versions. The table tells you what you can do.

How to change RAM timings in BIOS

Timings indicate the number of clock pulses that the RAM needs to perform a certain operation. The lower the timing, the more productive the RAM, so changing the timings is a useful procedure.

But carrying out such operations intuitively is a dangerous undertaking, because this can damage the RAM, and it will most likely not be possible to revive the modules. Therefore, it is necessary to first test with basic Windows tools. If the RAM is working normally, you can adjust the timings. Then in Windows you can check whether the setup was successful.

How to change the RAM frequency in BIOS

Where to set the value has already been described in the section on settings, so here we talk about what should be taken into account when changing.

Things to keep in mind:

• When the user sets the frequency himself, for example, the RAM operates at basic timings, for example, 11-14-14-33. But even with a reduced response, many models function without interruption.
• The most effective combination is: timing - low, frequency - high, but you need to take into account the compatibility of the values.
• To increase performance, it is recommended to activate dual-channel mode, and if the motherboard has 8 slots for memory sticks, it’s even better: this is already a four-channel mode.

Interesting:frequency indicators are 3600 MHz. It also has backlighting and support for Extreme Memory Profiles technology, which allows you to configure memory faster and more conveniently.

• It is worth understanding that success during overclocking is not 100% guaranteed. If the parameters are too high, the memory will not work.
• If after several attempts to start the PC the system does not respond, you need to undo everything that has changed. The Clear CMOS jumper (aka JBAT) will help with this.

It’s not difficult to “pump up” RAM so that it demonstrates its best performance and makes your PC faster. You just need to know how to change the settings correctly and act carefully.

The speed of a personal computer directly depends on the correct selection and installation of all its components. Correct selection and installation of RAM memory modules is the most important key to the successful operation of your PC.

In the previous article we looked at . In this article we will look at the issues of selecting RAM and its proper arrangement in the motherboard connectors.

Basic recommendations applicable to all types and types of memory:
– it is best to install DIMM modules with the same memory capacity;
– the modules must match in operating frequency (Mhz); if you install modules with different operating frequencies, then in the end they will all operate at the frequency of the slowest memory;
– for installed RAM cards, it is advisable to combine timings and memory latencies (delays);
– it is better to select modules from one manufacturer and one model.

Some enthusiasts try to buy modules from the same batch, but this, it seems to me, is already a perversion!

These tips are not strictly followed; situations vary. If memory modules differ from each other in manufacturer, volume and operating frequency, this does not mean at all that they will not work. In this case, there are no special memory layout secrets - just installing them is enough.

There are also no special features when installing already outdated types of memory such as SDRAM (there is one rule - the more, the better).

But in modern computers, motherboards support special operating memory modes. It is in these modes that the speed of RAM memory will be most efficient. Therefore, to achieve the best performance, you should consider the operating modes of the DIMMs and their correct installation. Let's look at the most common RAM operating modes today.

RAM operating modes

SINGLE CHANELL MODE

Single Mode (single channel or asymmetric mode) – this mode is implemented when only one memory module is installed in the system or all DIMMs differ from each other in memory capacity, operating frequency or manufacturer. It doesn’t matter in which slots or what memory to install. All memory will run at the speed of the slowest memory installed.

If there is only one module, then it can be installed in any memory slot:

Two or three different memory modules can also be installed in any configuration:

DUAL CHANELL MODE

Dual Mode (two-channel or symmetrical mode) – the same amount of RAM is installed in each DIMM channel. Modules are selected according to operating frequency. On motherboards, the DIMM sockets for each channel are different colors. Next to them is written the name of the connector, and sometimes the channel number. The purpose of the connectors and their location along the channels must be indicated in the motherboard manual. The total memory volume is equal to the total volume of all installed modules. Each channel is served by its own memory controller. System performance increases by 5-10%.

Dual Mode can be implemented using two, three or four DIMMs.

If two identical RAM memory modules are used, they should be connected to the same connectors (the same color) from different channels. For example, install one module in the slot 0 channel A, and the second - into the connector 0 channel B:

Three memory modules are installed in a similar way - the total memory volumes in each channel are equal to each other (memory in the channel A equal in volume in the channel B):

TRIPLE CHANELL MODE

(three-channel mode) – the same amount of RAM is installed in each of the three DIMM channels. Modules are selected according to speed and volume. On motherboards that support three-channel memory mode, 6 memory connectors are usually installed (two for each channel). Sometimes there are motherboards with four connectors - two connectors make up one channel, the other two are connected to the second and third channels, respectively.

With six or three sockets, installation is as simple as with dual-channel mode. If four memory slots are installed, three of which can work in , the memory should be installed in these slots.

(flexible mode) – allows you to increase the performance of RAM when installing two modules of different sizes, but identical in operating frequency. As in dual-channel mode, memory cards are installed in the same connectors of different channels. For example, if there are two memory sticks with a capacity of 512Mb and 1Gb, then one of them should be installed in the slot 0 channel A, and the second - into the slot 0 channel B:

That’s basically all the recommendations for combining RAM. Of course, there may be more layout options, it all depends on the amount of RAM, the motherboard model and your financial capabilities. Motherboards with support also appeared on sale four-channel mode memory performance - this will give you maximum computer performance!