To run DDR4 memory at the speed stored in its kit profile, open your motherboard’s BIOS/UEFI, enable the available memory profile—often called XMP, DOCP, or A-XMP—save, and restart. Then check the reported memory speed. The exact name and location vary by motherboard, and the profile is not guaranteed to work at its rated speed on every CPU and board combination.
What XMP and DOCP do
XMP stands for Intel Extreme Memory Profile. It stores a preset combination of memory speed, timings, and voltage supplied for the memory kit. The motherboard can load those settings instead of leaving memory at conservative defaults. Intel describes XMP as a way to configure compatible memory through BIOS or a supported tuning application; see Intel’s XMP overview.
DOCP is a label used by some ASUS motherboards for applying a memory profile. MSI calls its option A-XMP. Other boards may use different labels or menu locations, so the name is not universal. ASUS documents XMP and DOCP controls in its BIOS memory profile instructions, while MSI’s example uses A-XMP.
Applying a profile counts as memory overclocking; the kit’s advertised profile is not guaranteed stock behavior for every platform. Intel explains the profile settings and their overclocking status in its XMP configuration article.
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- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
- Hand-sorted memory chips ensure high performance with generous overclocking headroom
- VENGEANCE LPX is optimized for wide compatibility with the latest Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards
- A low-profile height of just 34mm ensures that VENGEANCE LPX even fits in most small-form-factor builds
- A solid aluminum heatspreader efficiently dissipates heat from each module so that they consistently run at high clock speeds
How to turn on XMP or DOCP in BIOS
- Check the motherboard manual. Find the memory profile option and the correct BIOS-entry key for your exact board or prebuilt PC. The key and menu path differ by manufacturer and firmware.
- Restart and enter BIOS/UEFI setup. Press the indicated key during startup, then locate the memory or overclocking settings.
- Choose the available profile. Select XMP, DOCP, A-XMP, or the equivalent option shown by your firmware. If multiple profiles are offered, consult the kit and motherboard documentation before choosing.
- Save and restart. Apply the change and reboot. For example, MSI’s guide shows selecting XMP Profile 1 and saving with F10; that is an MSI-specific example, not a universal path. See MSI’s XMP setup guide.
If there is no profile option, check whether the installed memory kit provides a profile and whether the CPU and motherboard support memory overclocking. The motherboard manual and the vendor’s memory compatibility information are the right references for that specific system.
How to verify the memory speed
Check BIOS/UEFI
After rebooting, return to BIOS/UEFI and confirm that the profile remains selected and that the firmware reports the expected memory frequency. ASUS also documents checking DRAM frequency after applying a profile in its memory profile instructions. The exact label and display can vary by firmware.
Rank #2
- Requires overclocking/BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depends on system components, including motherboard and CPU.
- G.SKILL RipjawsV Series DDR4 U-DIMM Memory Kit, Model: F4-3200C16D-16GVKB
- Non-ECC, DDR4 U-DIMM, 288-pin, for Desktop PC & Gaming
- Includes JEDEC default profile, and Intel XMP memory overclock profile
- Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.
Check Windows
In Windows 10, open Task Manager, select Performance, then Memory and inspect the speed shown. MSI’s guide describes this check. Windows versions and firmware may present values differently, so use the BIOS reading as a second check if the displayed speed is unclear.
Why is my RAM running below its rated speed?
The rated profile depends on more than the memory kit. The CPU’s memory controller, motherboard, installed modules, and their configuration all affect whether the profile is available, what frequency can be reached, and whether the system remains stable. MSI notes that unsupported CPU or motherboard combinations can prevent the requested overclock, and an MSI motherboard manual states that A-XMP availability depends on support from the processor, memory modules, and board. See MSI’s XMP guidance and the MSI motherboard manual and support pages.
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Rank #3
- Complies with JEDEC standards
- Low voltage of 1.2V for less power consumption
- Strict test and verification procedures are performed for products
- Timing 22-22-22-52
- Backed by a lifetime warranty to promise complete services and technical support
- The profile is missing: Check whether the kit includes a stored profile and whether the board supports it. Confirm the installed components against the exact motherboard documentation.
- The system will not start or reverts to defaults: The profile may not be stable with the current platform or module configuration. Return to firmware defaults, then troubleshoot using the exact CPU, motherboard, BIOS version, memory kit, and installed-module configuration. There is no single recovery sequence established for every system.
- The speed remains lower than expected: Verify that the profile stayed enabled after reboot and check the reported frequency in BIOS. If it did, the platform may not support the kit’s profile speed in that configuration.
Do you need to buy different RAM?
Not necessarily. First check whether the installed kit already has a usable profile and whether the CPU and motherboard support it. Consider replacement only if the current modules lack a suitable profile or are incompatible with the platform. If replacing memory, compare the exact kit’s profile and rated settings with the CPU’s and motherboard’s supported memory configurations and the board’s compatibility documentation; a label alone does not guarantee the advertised profile will work on every system.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
- Hand-sorted memory chips ensure high performance with generous overclocking headroom
- VENGEANCE LPX is optimized for wide compatibility with the latest Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards
- A low-profile height of just 34mm ensures that VENGEANCE LPX even fits in most small-form-factor builds
- A solid aluminum heatspreader efficiently dissipates heat from each module so that they consistently run at high clock speeds
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