CPU-Z – DDR5 with an Intel Core i9 12900K, with XMP enabled

X to the MP yo!

Let’s start with CPU-Z. It’s an essential tool for checking the current configuration of the system. In most cases, you should enable XMP, and that’s it. Otherwise, at default settings, the memory will be running at 4800 MHz, and that can slow down your rig. Sometimes XMP won’t work, so you might have to set the timings manually. 

With the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Apex all it took was to change one setting (XMP with DDR5-5600), save the BIOS, and reboot.  We haven’t encountered any problems when booting the Intel system, and it started with the memory running at 5600 MHz without any issues. 

DDR5 does indicate a double data rate, so you don’t have to worry about the displayed memory clock, as the effective RAM frequency is 5600 MHz.