7800x3d and EXPO profiles

Tiny Clanger · 4 Dec 2023 at 19:34

I've recently built my first PC in years following some great advice and guidance from this forum:
PC Build

Having updated the BIOS, installed chipset drivers etc. it all seems to be working fine. However, I did have a question regarding enabling EXPO. The memory I have is TeamGroup Vulcan EXPO 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-48000C38 6000MHz Dual Channel Kit and the options I have on the MSI BIOS pages are:

Are there any issues/risks associated with enabling the EXPO profiles. A search of the internet suggests that historically there were issues where the CPU could get damaged due to too high voltages with EXPO profiles enabled - has this been resolved?

Thanks as ever - TC

mattyfez · 4 Dec 2023 at 19:42

Semi true, there were issues with certain boards with EXPO for AMD. As like XMP for intel, it applies a pre-determined overclock to the RAM.

It won't be an issue now if you have the latest BIOS, as some early BIOS profiles allowed too much voltage or whatever, and in specific circumstances and configurations it could cause problems.

Tiny Clanger · 4 Dec 2023 at 20:03

Thanks - so latest BIOS (23.11.2023). I assume that applying either profile will increase the overall temperatures - is it better to select the profiles in the BIOS screen or in Ryzen Master?

mattyfez · 4 Dec 2023 at 20:11

Tiny Clanger said:
Thanks - so latest BIOS (23.11.2023). I assume that applying either profile will increase the overall temperatures - is it better to select the profiles in the BIOS screen or in Ryzen Master?

I'd assume set it in BIOS, but I'm not familliar with newer AMD stuff.
It shouldn't increase temps in any meaningfull way as you are only overclocking the RAM - the whole premise of EXPO/XMP is that it's 'set and forget'.

Tetras · 4 Dec 2023 at 21:16

Tiny Clanger said:
is it better to select the profiles in the BIOS screen or in Ryzen Master?

I'd use the BIOS.

Tiny Clanger said:
I assume that applying either profile will increase the overall temperatures

Mainly the memory and likely the CPU a bit too, but as said above, it shouldn't be noticeable in normal use.

Tiny Clanger said:
Are there any issues/risks associated with enabling the EXPO profiles.

The same as with overclocking memory in any other way, e.g. PC not booting, or instability problems (like BSODs, file corruption).

Tiny Clanger said:
A search of the internet suggests that historically there were issues where the CPU could get damaged due to too high voltages with EXPO profiles enabled - has this been resolved?

7D75v162 (2023-04-28)

Description:
- By following the mitigation from AMD, fix CPU SoC voltage upper limit for Ryzen 7000X3D and non-X3D series CPU, which might affect the performance of certain EXPO memory modules.

MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI

Powered by AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, the MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI is hardened with performance essential specifications to outlast enemies. Tuned for better performance by Core boost, memory Boost, Premium Thermal Solution, M.2 Shield Frozr.

www.msi.com

Tiny Clanger · 4 Dec 2023 at 21:28

Tetras said:
The same as with overclocking memory in any other way, e.g. PC not booting, or instability problems (like BSODs, file corruption).

So, although the DDR5 is listed as 6000Mhz - that is only achieved by (effectively) overclocking it - which may cause instability issues?

Tetras · 4 Dec 2023 at 21:43

Tiny Clanger said:
So, although the DDR5 is listed as 6000Mhz - that is only achieved by (effectively) overclocking it - which may cause instability issues?

Your memory is rated/tested by the manufacturer to run at that speed, which is why you pay extra for it, but you're still running fast memory, so if it doesn't work properly it can have similar symptoms to overclocking it and you're still overclocking the CPU's memory controller, which is only rated officially for 5200, even though AMD themselves suggested 6000 is the optimal speed.

Tiny Clanger · 4 Dec 2023 at 21:48

Tetras said:
Your memory is rated/tested by the manufacturer to run at that speed, which is why you pay extra for it, but you're still running fast memory, so if it doesn't work properly it can have similar symptoms to overclocking it and you're still overclocking the CPU's memory controller, which is only rated officially for 5200, even though AMD themselves suggested 6000 is the optimal speed.

Understood - thanks again Tetras