Intel Extreme Memory Profile

Intel Extreme Memory Profile, or XMP, is a technology that lets you automatically overclock the system memory to improve system performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8oS8E0Ufo0

Intel Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) Explained | SB#19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8oS8E0Ufo0)

XMP is an extension to the standard JEDEC specification that allows a memory vendor to program different settings onto the memory stick. The settings include the memory frequency, the memory timings and the memory voltage.

There are three standards for XMP:

Extreme Memory Profile 1.3 for DDR3 memory
Extreme Memory Profile 2.0 for DDR4 memory
Extreme Memory Profile 3.0 for DDR5 memory

The Intel XMP standard uses this extension for overclocking purposes and adds a couple of features to the memory standard:

Multiple SPD profiles – Allows for a number of different memory profiles which can be selected depending on the usage; for example for a special low-latency custom profile for gaming.
Memory vendor specific SPD fields – This gives memory module suppliers the ability to set a number of their own profiles based on the module capabilities.
Easy Over-clocking (Novice) – Provides users with a number of predefined overclocked profiles that have been determined to be stable. This allows users to selected those predefined profiles instead of adjusting individual parameters in BIOS.
Advanced Overclocking (Intermediate/Expert Users) – Allows more advanced users to change specific SPD parameters in the BIOS and save those profiles.
Fail-safe default boot – Allows the ability to restore to one of the usual default JEDEC settings after a bad settings

There are two types of XMP certification:

XMP ready: the module was programmed with an uncertain, but stable, profile
XMP Certified: the module was programmed with settings that have passed supplier tests for the CPU and motherboard.

You can find the list of XMP Certified products on Intel’s website: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/extreme-memory-profile-xmp.html.

If you want to know which XMP profiles your memory supports, there are several ways to do it.

First, if your memory is rated above DDR4-3200, it almost definitely has an XMP profile. That’s because the JEDEC standard only goes up to DDR4-3200.
Second, you can look in your BIOS and find the option to enable XMP. Most, if not all, motherboards support XMP and even allow you to check the specific configuration in BIOS.
Third, you can use CPU-Z and check the SPD tab. Here you will find the basic XMP profile settings in the Timings Table section.

I almost always run XMP on my systems because it’s an incredibly easy and safe way to improve system performance. Do note that some motherboards may adjust CPU memory controller voltages to support very high frequency memory.