EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles) Memory

[TBSN]

I'm thinking of getting an Asus P5N32-E 680i motherboard, which I believe supports memory with EPP. As I understand it, EPP basically puts more information about the memory, such as the optimal settings, on the memory. It allows the computer to automatically set the right timings and even overclock the computer.

I'm new to overclocking, and the one thing that scares me the most is the memory. There are so many timing settings that I don't understand. Would EPP memory make life easier for me? Also, I hear often that automatic overclocks don't reach the maximum potential of the hardware and are usually pretty modest.

What are the (actual) benifits of EPP when overclocking and setting up a computer in general? How would it be different from memory without EPP? Any help would be appreciated!
B.

 

[myocardia]

With almost all combinations of motherboards and RAM, EPP has to be turned off in the BIOS before being able to overclock much at all.

 

[TBSN]

oh, that's weird. I guess I don't really get what EPP is for then...

 

[Roguestar]

It's to entice "xtreme gamerz" and people who are looking for things like "SLi Ready RAM" and heatsinks with lights on.

 

[TBSN]

Alright, so not much of a point there. I think I might have been mixing it up with buffered memory or something...

 

[aka1nas]

AFAIK, EPP is just an extension of the SPD values encoded on the memory stick. If you have an SLI board with a BIOS that supports the feature, it can/will set your memory timings a little more aggresively to give you an almost imperceptible performance increase.

 

[TBSN]

Yeah, I think I got EPP mixed up with ECC or something...