INTRODUCTION

DDR5 memory overclocking and timing optimization can provide significant performance improvements for gaming, content creation, and productivity workloads. Properly tuned memory can reduce latency by 10-20ns and increase bandwidth by 20-40%, resulting in measurable FPS gains and faster application performance.

This guide is based on community-tested settings from experienced overclocker Heisenberg355, optimized for AMD AM5 platforms (Ryzen 7000/9000 series). These settings represent a balanced approach between performance and stability.

PREREQUISITES

• AMD Ryzen 7000/9000 series CPU - These timings are optimized for AM5 platforms
• Quality DDR5 memory kit - Samsung or Hynix IC preferred (check with Thaiphoon Burner)
• Updated BIOS - Latest AGESA version for best memory support
• Adequate cooling - Memory can get hot during stress testing
• Stress testing tools - TM5 with anta777 config, OCCT, or MemTest86

VOLTAGE CONFIGURATION

Voltage is the foundation of any memory overclock. These are Heisenberg355's recommended voltages for stability at higher frequencies:

Note: Some users have reported success with SOC voltage as low as 1.20V. You can try reducing this if your system is stable, but 1.25V is the recommended safe starting point.

PRIMARY TIMINGS

Primary timings have the most significant impact on memory latency and overall performance. These values are based on Heisenberg355's recommendations for DDR5-6000 and above:

Main Timings

REFRESH TIMINGS

Refresh timings control how often the memory controller refreshes DRAM cells. Optimizing these can improve performance:

SECONDARY TIMINGS

Secondary timings fine-tune memory behavior and can provide additional performance gains:

READ/WRITE TIMINGS

These timings control the delays between read and write operations:

UCLK & MEMORY CONTROLLER

The Unified Memory Controller (UCLK) settings are critical for AMD systems:

UCLK DIV1 Mode

The power down mode slightly harms memory latency performance anyway, so it's best left disabled for performance-focused systems.

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION GUIDE

Step 1: Backup Current Settings

1. Enter BIOS (usually DEL or F2 during boot)
2. Save your current BIOS profile to a slot (e.g., "Profile 1")
3. Take photos or screenshots of your current memory settings

Step 2: Apply Voltages First

1. Navigate to AMD Overclocking or DRAM settings section
2. Set SoC Voltage to 1.25V
3. Set MEM_VDD to 1.35V
4. Set CPU_VDDIO to 1.35V
5. Set MEM_VDDq to 1.35V

Step 3: Configure Primary Timings

1. Keep your kit's XMP/EXPO tCL, tRCD, tRP values (don't change these initially)
2. Set tRAS to 126
3. Set tRC to 68
4. Set tWR to 48

Step 4: Configure Refresh Timings

1. Set tREFI/refresh interval to 50000
2. Set tRFC1/tRFC to 500
3. Set tRFC2 to 400
4. Set tRFCsb to 300

Step 5: Apply Secondary & Read/Write Timings

Set all the secondary and read/write timings according to the values listed above in their respective sections.

Step 6: UCLK Configuration

1. Find the UCLK DIV setting (may be under AMD CBS or AMD Overclocking)
2. Set UCLK DIV1 Mode to UCLK=MEMCLK (1:1 Mode)
3. Verify FCLK Frequency is set to 2033 (for DDR5-6000+)

Step 7: Disable Power Down Mode

1. Search for "Power Down Enable" or "Memory Context Restore"
2. Set to DISABLED
3. This prevents BSOD and memory frequency issues

Step 8: Save and Test

1. Save BIOS settings and exit
2. Boot into Windows
3. Verify settings with CPU-Z or Ryzen Master
4. Run initial stability test (instructions below)

STABILITY TESTING

Proper stress testing is essential to ensure your memory is stable. Use multiple tools for comprehensive testing:

Recommended Testing Tools

If You Experience Errors

EXPECTED PERFORMANCE GAINS

With properly tuned DDR5 timings, you can expect the following improvements over stock XMP/EXPO settings:

CONCLUSION & RESOURCES

DDR5 timing optimization can unlock significant performance from your Ryzen system. These settings from Heisenberg355 provide an excellent starting point that balances performance with stability.

Remember that memory overclocking is an iterative process. Start conservative, test thoroughly, and gradually tighten timings as you gain confidence in your system's capabilities.