Installing & upgrading RAM

Correct slots, proper seating, and the one BIOS setting that unlocks your RAM's actual speed.

1. 1

   Check compatibility first

   Match the type (DDR4 boards physically can't take DDR5), check your board's QVL for the kit or at least the speed, and prefer two sticks over one for dual-channel bandwidth.

2. 2

   Use the right slots

   With two sticks on a four-slot board, use A2 + B2 (2nd and 4th from the CPU) unless the manual says otherwise — these are the optimized topology slots.

3. 3

   Seat firmly

   Open the clips, align the notch, press straight down on both ends until each clip snaps closed. Partial seating is the #1 cause of no-boot after a RAM upgrade.

   Tip: First boot after a RAM change can take 1–3 minutes while the board runs memory training — black screen is normal. Let it finish.

4. 4

   Enable XMP / EXPO

   Out of the box, RAM runs at a slow default. In BIOS, enable XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) profile 1 to get the rated speed you paid for. Verify in Task Manager → Performance → Memory.