One of the components that we change the most in our PC is without a doubt the RAM memory. It is relatively cheap, increasing its capacity, speed or reducing latency has a direct impact on PC performance and to top it off there is a wide variety of models to choose from. If we add to this that every few months new models come out, because we have the perfect example of an upgradeable component, but should we configure something after changing the modules on our PC?
The change from one RAM memory to another has become somewhat trivial and although it requires some previous “study” on compatibilities, voltages and overclock support of our IMC , we must have other considerations before taking the step.
Set up a PC before and after installing a new RAM
In the first place and taking into account that we have not manually overclocked the RAM, the most common thing is that we have the XMP or AMP profile active depending on whether our platform is AMD or Intel. The first step before installing the new memories is to leave the BIOS without this active profile so that the IMC can record the changes and get to its default JEDEC speed .
Values such as the voltage of the IMC , VCCIO and the like should be left by default as well, as well as any timing. Once everything is set by default, without changing the memories, we will save their values and we will re-enter the BIOS to verify that this has been the case.
In such a case, we turn off the PC and then we will proceed to disconnect it from the power and when the residual electricity is purged, we will change the old modules for the new ones in their respective channels. The new modules are normally recommended to be installed in the same slots as the old ones, since the IMC gives priority to some channels over others due to the wear and tear of the IMC when synchronizing with them.
New RAM may be reluctant with depending on IMCs or BIOS
It will be neither the first nor the last time that we install new modules and the PC either does not start or does not want to set the new speed of the RAMs. This has multiple explanations that we will cover in another article, but what we must take into account is that not in all cases it has a solution. Therefore the comment of the previous “study”, such as QVL and others.
In any case and assuming that everything is going correctly the first time, once the new modules are installed we will have to make sure that under their JEDEC speed everything falls within the normal parameters, whether they are certain values in auto, such as voltages or timings.
It would not be the first time that something is simply misconfigured with change. If not, the first thing we should do is re-set your AMP or XMP profile, after which we must save the BIOS with these changes. Once the PC is restarted we enter once more and we will check that both the timings and the main voltages are correct and not out of range (1.1 per norm for IMC and 1.35V for RAM).
Finally, we save and enter now yes in Windows, after which we recommend you pass a very demanding stability test such as RunMemTest Pro or Karhu RAMTest, so we will have the guarantee that everything has gone correctly and that no module has failures.