How to Enable XMP/EXPO in BIOS

Are you sitting comfortably? Ready for some shocking news? Here we go: There’s a very good chance your RAM is not running at its optimal speed, unless you’ve already enabled its XMP/EXPO settings in your BIOS.

By default, when you install memory in your PC, it runs using safe JEDEC settings. These settings prioritize compatibility over performance. That’s fine for machines that won’t be pushed particularly hard, but if you’re a gamer or content creator, you’re leaving memory performance on the table – performance you’ve paid for and can unlock in just a few minutes using the instructions in this page.

But how do you run your memory faster than the JEDEC spec without manually adjusting all the timings, frequencies, and voltages? That’s where XMP and EXPO settings come in. XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) is Intel’s technology for supporting high-frequency memory. EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) is AMD’s equivalent, achieving the same goal of allowing your memory to run at the optimal settings for your motherboard and processor.

At this point, you’re probably wondering how to enable XMP/EXPO on your system. The good news is that it’s easy and can boost your system’s performance in seconds.

1. Enter your UEFI/BIOS
2. Enable XMP/EXPO
3. Save the changes and exit
4. Check your memory speed

Getting into the UEFI/BIOS can be the trickiest part of this whole process, because you need to reboot your machine and press the [Del] key repeatedly before Windows starts loading. Some motherboards boot so quickly that you might not have enough time. Others use [F2] or a different key instead. If [Del] doesn’t work, check your motherboard’s support page for the correct key.

If you hit the right key in time, you’ll find yourself in the BIOS.

How you enable XMP or EXPO depends on your motherboard. While Asus, ASRock, MSI, and Gigabyte use similar labels, there are enough differences to make things tricky. Your best bet is to check your motherboard manual, either physically or online.

Most modern motherboards offer two UEFI/BIOS interfaces:

• Easy Mode keeps everything on a single screen with simple options.
• Advanced Mode provides more detailed settings but can be overwhelming if you don’t need that level of control.

In Easy Mode, you should be able to select a memory profile using a drop-down menu. In Advanced Mode, you may need to look in sections like Overclocking, AI Tweaker, Memory, or in our case, Extreme Tweaker.

If your memory kit supports multiple profiles (which many do), start with Profile 1. Once selected, save the changes and reboot your machine.

The easiest way to check your memory speed is with CPU-Z, a free and powerful tool that provides detailed hardware information.

In CPU-Z:

• Open the Memory tab to confirm your current memory settings.
• Open the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) tab to see the stored XMP/EXPO profiles.

In our example, where we're using CORSAIR DDR5-6000 memory with XMP 3.0, the SPD tab shows a 3,000MHz memory bus with a CAS Latency of 36. A quick look under the Memory tab will confirm that the settings are applied correctly.

If you run into problems, here are a few things to check:

• Ensure the memory modules are seated correctly. You should hear a satisfying click when they lock into place.
• Verify that the modules are installed in the correct slots. Your motherboard manual will indicate the recommended configuration, but we've written a separate article that highlights which memory slots you should use.
• If your XMP/EXPO settings aren’t applying, reset the BIOS to default settings and try again. Occasionally, settings can get confused, requiring a reset.
• If problems persist, consider updating your UEFI/BIOS. The process varies by manufacturer, but this Gigabyte motherboard BIOS update guide can give you a general idea of how it’s done.

Once everything is set up correctly, enjoy the improved performance – your memory is now running at the speed it was meant to.