Acer Predator Orion 7000 PO7-640 Modellnummer: PO7-640 Artikelnummer:DG.E2TEG.00S upgrade faster ram

There was a BIOS update released this last summer that enabled the ability to use XMP memory in overclocked mode for the PO5-640 and PO7-640 models. That means you can replace the existing memory with some that is a fair amount faster. You have an 800W power supply so should be able to use most of the newer GPUs, and it's a normal ATX design, not ATX12VO, so you can upgrade it if needed for an even higher end GPU. Memory spec says:

So 64GB is your max. IIRC some users here have maxed it out with 64GB of 5600MHz XMP memory, but search the threads to verify. Both the PO5 and PO7 use the same motherboard, the difference between the two is the cooling. For a CPU you are already maxed out, you can't drop a 13th gen or later in without a new motherboard as well.

AlyKhan

13th gen CPU upgrade not possible on PO7-640. 4070 upgrade is easy and boosts performance. 64GB RAM upgrade requires adding 2x16GB or 4x16GB. Check game memory usage before upgrading.

GotBanned

There are only few motherboards that can use DDR4 or DDR5 RAM. Unfortunately yours is not one of them. You can use only DDR5.

DDR4 and DDR5 use physically different sockets. You can't put one in the other. DDR5 at 4400 is quite a bit faster than the DDR4 at 3200 used in the older models.

All comments

Predator PO7-640

There was a BIOS update released this last summer that enabled the ability to use XMP memory in overclocked mode for the PO5-640 and PO7-640 models. That means you can replace the existing memory with some that is a fair amount faster. You have an 800W power supply so should be able to use most of the newer GPUs, and it's a normal ATX design, not ATX12VO, so you can upgrade it if needed for an even higher end GPU. Memory spec says:

So 64GB is your max. IIRC some users here have maxed it out with 64GB of 5600MHz XMP memory, but search the threads to verify. Both the PO5 and PO7 use the same motherboard, the difference between the two is the cooling. For a CPU you are already maxed out, you can't drop a 13th gen or later in without a new motherboard as well.

Hi, I just received this from Acer Germany, being no computer genie I am not sure of what it all means in layman’s terms. I worked out that 64gb is the Mac with DDR5 4000 filling all four banks to give me 4x16gb =64gb or two banks 1 and 3 of DDR 5 4400 2x32gb =64gb. At present I have 2x16Gb in banks 1 and 3 as received from Acer. Is there any gain by having the faster speed or is it not worth the trouble.
Acer has only shown compatibility tested 3070, 3080, and 3090 GPU cards. I have the 3080 with 10gb and the next compatible tested is the 3090 24 gb which is far to expensive for my budget. I have seen for example 4070 series GPU for around half the 3090 price but don’t know if they would fit or be compatible to my i9 12900K cpu. In regards to the cpu, I read that upgrading from a 12 gen to a 13 gen CPU would require a motherboard bios update but not sure if the Acer board is able to do that.
I would like your thoughts in layman’s terms as to a next logical cheapest upgrade using good quality tested products, Acer has shown me some manufacturers of compatible tested ram, I have never used these brands having gone with crucial or Samsung in the past. I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Thanks for your reply and help this far.

Spezifikation PO7-640:

Der Controller unterstützt DDR5-4400 mit 2 DIMMs und DDR5-4000 mit 4 DIMMs. Bestimmt wird dies über die SPD Profile des Speichers. Eine Option in der Firmware zum Einstellen gibt es nicht.

Das gleiche gilt auch für den Betrieb mit XMP: (XMP memory profile1)

maximal 2 DIMMs:

Artikelnummer - Bezeichnung:

KN.16G0C.008 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AM2V52TCSV1-BFHS 5200@1.25V XMP
KN.8GB0C.020 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 8GB AM2V52TC8W1-BFGS 5200@1,25V XMP
KN.16G0C.015 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AO2Y60UCSV1-BHZS 4800@1.1V 6000@1.35V GPU:

Kompatibel getestet:

DA.30711.003 VGA.RTX3070.8GB.ATX.PCI-EDA.30711.005

VGA.RTX3070.GDDRVI.8GB.ATX.PCI-Ex16DA.30811.001

VGA.RTX3080.GDDRVI.10GB.9500MHz.ATXDA.30811.002

VGA RTX 3080 GDDRVIX 10GB 9500MHz ATXDA.30911.001

VGA RTX 3090 GDDRVIX 24GB 9750MHz ATX PCI-Ex16

CPU: LGA1700 Intel® ADL-S processor

Kompatibel getestet: KC.12701.CI7 CPU.ALDER LAKE-S I7-2.1G C0.

English translation:-

Specification PO7-640:

The controller supports DDR5-4400 with 2 DIMMs and DDR5-4000 with 4 DIMMs. This is determined by the SPD profiles of the memory. There is no option in the firmware for setting.

The same applies to operation with XMP: (XMP memory profile1)

Maximum 2 DIMMs:

Item number - Name:

KN.16G0C.008 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AM2V52TCSV1-BFHS 5200@1.25V XMP

KN.8GB0C.020 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 8GB AM2V52TC8W1-BFGS 5200@1.25V XMP

KN.16G0C.015 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AO2Y60UCSV1-BHZS 4800@1.1V 6000@1.35V

GPU:

Tested compatible:

DA.30711.003 VGA.RTX3070.8GB.ATX.PCI-E

DA.30711.005 VGA.RTX3070. GDDRVI.8GB.ATX.PCI-Ex16

DA.30811.001 VGA.RTX3080. GDDRVI.10GB.9500MHz.ATX

DA.30811.002 VGA RTX 3080 GDDRVIX 10GB 9500MHz ATX

DA.30911.001 VGA RTX 3090 GDDRVIX 24GB 9750MHz ATX PCI-Ex16

CPU:

LGA1700 Intel® ADL-S processor

Tested compatible:

KC.12701. CI7 CPU.ALDER LAKE-S I7-2.1G C0.

I send this received from Acer

hi, I read that a motherboard bios update would be required for a step up to 13 gen cpu, however am not sure if Acer has that option on their board. Although Acer has only tested the listed GOUs as compatible what would you think about the 4000 series GPU’s which are half the price of the 3090 at present, if optimally sound which 4000 series would be a good choice bearing in mind cost. My present 3080 has only 10gb vram so 12gb is the minimum up to 16gb. I don’t think at present there is a need for 24 gb especially as I only play rail simulation games so nothing excessively demanding. Finally is there a real gain choosing DDR5 4400 over DDR5 4000 which I have now.

English translation of Acers reply

Specification PO7-640:

The controller supports DDR5-4400 with 2 DIMMs and DDR5-4000 with 4 DIMMs. This is determined by the SPD profiles of the memory. There is no option in the firmware for setting.

The same applies to operation with XMP: (XMP memory profile1)

Maximum 2 DIMMs:

Item number - Name:

KN.16G0C.008 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AM2V52TCSV1-BFHS 5200@1.25V XMP

KN.8GB0C.020 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 8GB AM2V52TC8W1-BFGS 5200@1.25V XMP

KN.16G0C.015 - A-DATA UNB-DIMM DRRV 16GB AO2Y60UCSV1-BHZS 4800@1.1V 6000@1.35V

GPU:

Tested compatible:

DA.30711.003 VGA.RTX3070.8GB.ATX.PCI-E

DA.30711.005 VGA.RTX3070. GDDRVI.8GB.ATX.PCI-Ex16

DA.30811.001 VGA.RTX3080. GDDRVI.10GB.9500MHz.ATX

DA.30811.002 VGA RTX 3080 GDDRVIX 10GB 9500MHz ATX

DA.30911.001 VGA RTX 3090 GDDRVIX 24GB 9750MHz ATX PCI-Ex16

CPU:

LGA1700 Intel® ADL-S processor

Tested compatible:

KC.12701. CI7 CPU.ALDER LAKE-S I7-2.1G C0.

A BIOS upgrade will not work, or even be available, for a switch from 12th gen to 13th gen on the PO7-640. An upgrade to a 4070 will work fine and be an easy way to get a bit better gaming performance. You won't be able to change the existing 2x16GB memory for 2x32GB, to get 64GB in total you will need to either add two more 16GB sticks at the same speed as your existing, or replace those two with four 16GB modules that run at a higher speed when XMP overclocking is turned on. I'd run some tests in your games to see what kind of memory usage you are seeing now though before upgrading to 64GB. 32GB may be just fine…

Hi, thanks for your advice it was most helpful. One final thought rather than use Acer branded ram would it be better getting branded ran like crucial or similar and replace with 4x16gb ddr5 4000 or would ddr5 4400 have a more noticeable difference

AlyKhan

13th gen CPU upgrade not possible on PO7-640. 4070 upgrade is easy and boosts performance. 64GB RAM upgrade requires adding 2x16GB or 4x16GB. Check game memory usage before upgrading.

I have read the DDR 5 4000 ram is pretty slow for gaming, is it possible to use ddr4 ram on this Acer motherboard with faster speeds.? If so, what is the best or maximum speeds I can use with this particular Z690 board, I know DDR 5 is the future but if I am limited to the lower speeds of DDR 5 then would DDR 4 with faster speeds be better in the long run if this board is backward compatible with DDR4.

GotBanned

There are only few motherboards that can use DDR4 or DDR5 RAM. Unfortunately yours is not one of them. You can use only DDR5.

DDR4 and DDR5 use physically different sockets. You can't put one in the other. DDR5 at 4400 is quite a bit faster than the DDR4 at 3200 used in the older models.

Thanks for the info. Already been mentioned that my board can’t use both only DDR5 and I have 4800 in there, who knows what 2024 will bring so will await new surprises. Merry Christmas and a Peaceful 2024 to everyone especially you guys that took the time and patience to answer my queries

all motherboards run DDR5 2x16@4400MHz and 4x16@4000MHz until one of the XMP modes are turned on. acer limits us to only XMP-on/off other mb manufactures have XMP1-XMP2-XMP3- then OC modes for the memory along with manual adjustments for timing etc. acer doesn't allow us to have those options. so, if you want more you have to swap out the MB for something else. and all Acer desktops come with DDR5 memory that is not XMP ready also keep that in mind.

they come pre-tuned i was told for maximum gaming performance out of the box, so we really don't have to do much. but that didn't stop me from replacing most of the parts heh. the only original parts left is the case-MB-CPU-GPU everything else is new and better. i used to think the case had terrible air flow until i researched and learned about ambient room temperatures and how much they matter.

it's almost winter here and cold on average 32F-0C and will only get colder and i keep my tower facing a window i open when i game so it can suck it that cold air to test the ambient room temperatures and well i get 38-44C GPU-3070 when gaming now. when in summer in AC i only get 47-54C the CPU-12700F is 28-34C winter and 36-42C summer. and my 3070 is all stock settings no OC at all. and it's only going to get colder so it will be interesting to see how low i can get the 3070 temps.

hi, interesting read and thanks for the info. As I said previously on the order form and in the advertisement from many sellers it stated that the Orion 7000 PO7-640 came with DDR5 4000, however checking the Bios and other benchmarking tools I discovered that mine is using DDR5 4800 which was a nice surprise. Well here in North Germany we have already had temperatures down to -6 deg Celsius and virtually continuous rain on and off the last three weeks with two days light snow. My Temperatures on CPU and GPU haven’t hit the 60 deg mark yet so I am fine with that. However the last week the temperature has climbed to +7 deg C so that is acceptable for the time of year and it’s also dry 🤗 Our radiators in each room are set to 19deg during the day and at night they are set to the No Frost setting as in the bedrooms we sleep with the windows open. Each room and hallway has its own hydrometer so we know if the accommodation starts to head into the wet or dry zone to prevent mould forming, that way I can adjust the heating accordingly or open the windows to air the rooms more.
We are lucky that our accommodation was built with triple layer insulation glass which really keeps the warmth in and the cold out, and we moved in 23 years ago when it was built. The owner a very rich old farmer from the village even asked each tenant where they would like the electrical sockets placed and TV connections even down to what colour tiling on floors and bathrooms which is not normal but as we had three TV´s it helped in where we placed the aerial inputs. Since then we have cable internet with 1000gb download and 50gb upload so no one is complaining here. However now a lot of new houses are being built with four layer thermopane glass which is even better insulation, plus our accommodation is directly above the heating room in the cellar so the living room is the warmest and therefore doesn’t need as high temperature from the radiator. Sorry I deviated from the main topic for a while, got carried away with temperatures 🫢.

I forgot to add my XMP is greyed out as the memory Acer installed isn’t compatible, however I have seen many discussions from various people that said even with installing XMP memory that the switch was still greyed out, however a few mentioned being able to use the XMP switch so I really don’t know what will happen if maybe another Bios update will be necessary or that the XMP only works with some of those boards

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1247904#Comment_1247904

yeah, it will stay greyed out until the proper BIOS update from windows update is done and most members here don't realize the DDR4 or DDR5 memory that came with their pc is non XMP, so even after the BIOS update it will still be greyed out. i can only assume acer did that with the memory because they didn't allow XMP to be used so it didn't matter they went with the cheapest DDR4-DDR5 to keep costs down.

then a YouTube channel called Gamer's nexus tested the new Orion X desktop at the main acer factory overseas and asked them on camera about XMP and why it was locked etc. and ever since that episode they sent out firmware updates unlocking the XMP in the BIOS for all users of 3000-5000-7000- series desktops.

and yeah, isn't it crazy how much ambient room temperatures affect the internal temperatures of the CPU-GPU its crazy and i never understood that at first. now that i do i like to keep mine as cool as possible because i can lol. i have a basement-cellar where i live and my gaming-office is down there. so, it has central heat-AC and that really helps but nothing cools the pc like cold mother nature air coming in that window.

GotBanned

Small correction, if I may.

When it comes to the RAM speeds on these machines the limiting factor is the BIOS. The RAM that comes with these boxes is not "non-XMP" memory. If BIOS wasn't holding it back, RAM could be utilized at faster speed(s).

Most likely above mentioned DDR5-4000 could be run @4800 if the BIOS had an XMP toggle on it and CPU's Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) was good enough. I am certain that it is.

As an example I use my old PO3-620. Although it is an older and weaker box, the same applies here. My unit had 2x8Gb Kingston RAM DDR4-3200, but since the BIOS didn't have an XMP toggle (XMP is considered as overclocking and not guaranteed) it run at 2666MHz. You can call this fail-safe or **** proof speed if you will.

But, but, but! The very same two sticks of RAM ran happily @3200 in a normal board. Since I also trasplanted the CPU from Acer to the new mobo, the IMC was the same. Limited BIOS caused lower memory performance.