how to tell what type of ram i have
How to detect RAM speed, size and blazon
If y'all want to upgrade your PC's retention, you need to know what yous already have
Memory and storage are perhaps two of the most ordinarily confused aspects of computer hardware outside of the tech sphere. Both are intrinsic to the smooth running of a computer but out of the two, it'south onboard random access retentiveness (RAM) that will virtually influentially make up one's mind how constructive any given device is at handling the array of business applications required in modern work life.
Indeed, RAM is 1 of the about important parts of any business machine, as crucial to an office building'due south belfry PC as information technology is to an employer-issued laptop for remote workers. RAM is typically fitted to machines in the form of removable sticks and stores information the computer thinks the user will need in the immediate future, set for fast and easy access.
What is RAM?
RAM is possibly best illustrated past comparing the makeup of a computer to man anatomy. The central processing unit of measurement (CPU), often referred to simply every bit the 'processor', can be seen as the computer'southward encephalon. Memory and storage are often dislocated, simply human activity somewhat similarly in that they both store information, admitting for different purposes.
Larger pieces of storage hardware similar difficult drive disks (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) are well-nigh like a person's long-term memory, allowing users to store data for long periods of fourth dimension, only under the supposition that they may non need all of it in their current session.
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RAM, on the other hand, is well-nigh like curt-term memory in that it has a comparatively limited chapters for storage, merely does so in a way that increases the processing capacity to handle flows of data through the automobile to process tasks quicker. It'due south why having a large amount of RAM is ofttimes linked with faster computer performance as it allows users to multitask more efficiently, like running Microsoft Teams alongside a Google Chrome browser with multiple tabs open.
RAM is also one of the more easily upgradable components of a computer; RAM sticks can be bought in diverse capacities and mod motherboards often have slots for multiple RAM sticks making it easy to add more when needed.
How much RAM do I have?
If you're not sure what you lot're doing, then ownership RAM can come up beyond as a lilliputian complex. It tin come in many different types of speeds, shapes, and sizes, and even if a stick of RAM physically tin can fit into your motorcar, chances are information technology won't function correctly.
Unfortunately, Windows 10 doesn't provide a huge corporeality of information in this regard. To come across this, you'll want to navigate to the "About" section of your command panel. This can easily be done past typing "RAM" into your Windows ten search bar and selecting "View RAM info". Another option to get at that place is past accessing the "System" settings and navigating downwardly the page to "Nearly".
On the Well-nigh screen you should see information on device name, processor type and speed, installed RAM, device and product ID, whether it's running a 32-fleck or 64-bit operating system, and some miscellaneous information.
You'll notice that installed RAM shows two numbers. The first is the total corporeality of RAM installed on the system, and the second shows 'usable' RAM, which indicates how much RAM your apps and processes can utilize at any given fourth dimension. The latter number is lower as a proportion of installed RAM is ever reserved for some critical Windows processes.
Given the way it interacts with the organization, it's near efficient to install RAM in multiples of four. That means your installed RAM should either exist 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and and then on. Some older machines may take 2GB of RAM, only given that Windows x requires at least 2GB to run efficiently, y'all'll commonly notice that machines come with at to the lowest degree 4GB these days. If you have a number displayed that's not a multiple of four (for example, 6GB), it'due south possible that a RAM stick has failed or is not installed correctly. For example, having an installed RAM of 12GB could indicate that of your four sticks of 4GB of RAM, one has failed.
What RAM should I buy?
Most manufacturers currently recommend at least 4GB for twenty-four hour period-to-day calculating. Gaming and other graphic intensive operations require quite a scrap more. A high-cease laptop can have 16GB, or even 32GB. Desktops can go even further – in fact, some 64-bit editions of Windows volition arrange up to 6TB of RAM, although it'due south probable you would hit your motherboard's maximum RAM limit long earlier hitting this number.
Before we go shopping, we need a bit more information. CPUID's free CPU-Z utility is a great option for gathering this data. Install it on your computer, run information technology, then go to the Memory tab.
In that location are a lot of details in this tab that we don't need to know for our purposes. The main things to notation are:
- the number of retentivity slots your motherboard has (usually 2, sometimes one, occasionally four)
- what type of memory information technology uses (this is usually something involving the letters DDR)
- the frequency of the retentiveness (in other words, how fast it is)
Now you have all of this data, you can starting time searching for RAM. We'd always recommend getting information technology new, unless it has a cast-iron guarantee, as RAM chips are pretty fragile. Simply touching them at the wrong moment tin fry them, and their golden connector pins tin can exist easily damaged with repeated installs.
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Although information technology's advisable (especially for inexperienced buyers), you don't necessarily demand to stick to the specifications of the RAM already installed on the system. Information technology'south worth taking a look at any documentation y'all have to support your motherboard, every bit it's often the case that the motherboard can support a variety of RAM frequencies and yous may discover what's installed is the everyman end of this range.
To go the full benefit of new RAM, all motherboard slots should accept an identical amount of memory, running at the aforementioned speed. If you take four slots, yous tin can either populate i slot, two or four – only as e'er, if you're using more than one slot, put identical chips in every slot. That means, unless yous are 100% sure what you're doing, don't be tempted to buy a single stick of RAM to get with the bit that'southward already in in that location. This can really leave you with a less stable computer than y'all started with.
It actually is worth investing in a matching pair of identical fries – same speed, same RAM, same brand. This is ane of those jobs that is worth doing well. We'd as well recommend a top brand similar Samsung, Crucial or Kingston, bought from a reputable supplier.
Tips for buying RAM
Before you do annihilation, information technology's important you cheque that your system allows for RAM expandability. While virtually mod PCs and laptops will have an actress slot for adding in more memory, some older machines might not. The same is truthful for unusual class-factors, as in some devices - such as convertible two-in-i devices - the RAM is probably glued to the motherboard, in which instance, you're stuck with it.
Many models of MacBook are the same. Recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models have the RAM - along with the SSD - soldered to the motherboard, and while some newer iMacs technically offering user-upgradeable RAM, doing so requires extensive teardown of the motorcar. It's also worth remembering that if you do upgrade the RAM in your Apple automobile, it will take specific size and shape, different to what you'd install in a Windows laptop.
When it comes to upgrading, you can - if you really want to - utilise any RAM chips y'all have lying around. However, more often than not, while the machine volition kick, you may find it's slower and less stable than earlier you lot messed with it.
RAM chips come with different frequencies – in other words, their speed. If yous don't keep a consistent speed, information technology'south a bit like a Formula 1 automobile hitting a sudden chicane – the slow scrap will crusade a tailback of information from the new one and y'all'll get fifty-fifty more than freezes and crashes. Cheque the support pages for your machine and look for the fastest frequency RAM your auto will support for all-time results.
In that location are a few other things you should look out for when buying RAM. CAS Latency, often listed as CL or CAS, is a measure of latency, which in simple terms ways the time the memory has to look to deliver information to the CPU. While this won't be too important unless you lot're building a high-spec PC, it's worth noting that the lower the CAS value, the faster the latency.
Heat spreaders, too, are worth looking out for. While unlikely to offering a major performance boost to your machine, having this feature tin can help to reduce how hot the memory go which should prolong the life of your RAM.
Retrieve, RAM is fragile stuff and needs to be handled with the best possible intendance. That'due south why getting information technology correct the outset time is so of import – retailers are oftentimes reticent near taking back RAM, every bit one time it's been out of the protective purse, it tin can pause if mishandled fifty-fifty slightly.
The good news is, RAM upgrades tin can bring a sluggish computer back to life, and even make a cheap, depression spec reckoner feel more top-shelf. Information technology'south easy to fit, and you should feel a difference in responsiveness the very next time you turn it on.
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Source: https://www.itpro.co.uk/laptops/29190/how-to-find-ram-speed-size-and-type