What Does Enabling XMP Do?

RAM runs at speeds dictated by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) as standard, but you can manually overclock your RAM. XMP uses some RAM storage to save a profile for speed and timing that the RAM can safely run. Enabling XMP configures the memory to run at the speed and timings for which it’s rated.

How to Enable XMP on Your Memory

How Do I Know if XMP Is Enabled?

You can double-check your XMP profile is enabled by heading back into your UEFI/BIOS and making sure the toggle is On. Additionally, check your memory speed in the UEFI/BIOS—it may be on the home screen or the overclocking menu—or during the post screen as your PC boots. You can also use Windows software like CPUZ to confirm your memory’s speed. If it matches the rated speed given on the packaging and the sticker on the memory kit, your XMP profile is enabled. If not, run through the steps again to make sure you have enabled it correctly. If you’re sure you’ve followed the steps correctly and you still aren’t seeing your expected speeds, it might be worth confirming your motherboard or processor allows memory overclocking.