More and more people are using computers, and yet the technical details of hardware specifications remain a confusing minefield for many. One of the most difficult areas to understand can be your computer's RAM (Random Access Memory).
Whether you're upgrading your RAM, building a custom PC, or simply trying to better understand computer hardware, it's important to know how computer memory works and how to view it when a computer is running. Here is a guide on how to find out your RAM speed, size, type, etc.
Understanding RAM
Depending on your level of computer knowledge, there are a few basics we'd like to cover before we get into our tutorial. Of course, if you already know what you are looking for and why; do not hesitate to move forward.
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory, also known as RAM, is your system memory and is responsible for storing crucial information needed to run an operating system and all the programs you use on a computer. Simply put, it acts as a short-term memory bank on all the tech devices we have these days (computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.) and whether you're using an SSD or a HDD, it performs better. quickly when accessing and executing. files on a computer.
Although your devices processor contains critical running information, such as information about your operating system, applications, and things of that nature, without RAM your computer would run much slower because the amount cache memory is limited. in a processor.
Why You Need to Know How Much RAM Your Computer Has
The most common reason you'll want to know how much RAM your system has is to make sure a game or app will run smoothly. Knowing your system's capabilities before making a purchase that your system may not support will save you from suffering disappointment and irritation.
You may also need to know your RAM details if you want to upgrade your system. Knowing what you have and what is compatible with the components you intend to install is essential to avoid making a very costly mistake.
How much RAM do you need?
Determining how much RAM you actually need is very simple. There's no reason to have less than 4GB of RAM and honestly that's really low for most applications. 8GB of RAM is ideal unless you're a serious gamer or use CAD or video editing programs. In this case, it is better to use at least 16 GB of RAM.
Find your RAM speed, size and type in Windows 10
Finding out how much RAM is currently installed on your PC is incredibly simple. While this won't give you much information about your computer's performance, it will tell you what your system should be capable of.
- To find out how much RAM is installed, just use the Win+I keyboard shortcut to access your PC settings.
- Then click System.
- Then click Public chat on the left side and view your RAM on the right.
This is the easiest method, but if you need more information, keep reading.
View RAM Information via Windows 10 Command Prompt
By far, the best method to find out your computer's RAM details is using Windows 10 Command Prompt ou Powershell. Other built-in applications such as System Information and Control Panel only show partial information such as size, type or both. Here's how to view full RAM details on your PC.
- Type “cmd” in Cortana’s search box and click Command Prompt in the list.
- Type the following code in the command prompt and press Enter:
wmic MemoryChip get MemoryType, Name, Capacity, Configuredclockspeed, DeviceLocator, FormFactor, Manufacturer, Serialnumber, Speed
- For more advanced details, you can add other aliases:
ConfiguredVoltage, DataWidth, MaxVoltage, CreationClassName, InterleavePosition
Note that some aliases may not display information.
To see all alias options, type the following and look under the COMPLETE section:
WMIC MemoryChip List /?
View RAM Information via Windows 10 Powershell
- Right-click on the Windows 10 Start menu and select Powershell. You do not need to use administrator privileges for this task.
- Type the following code in Powershell:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemory | Format-Table Capacity, Manufacturer, MemoryType, FormFactor, Name, Configuredclockspeed, Speed, Devicelocator, Serialnumber -AutoSize
- For a complete list of properties (Speed, Serial Number, FormFactor, etc.), visit the following page on Win32_PhysicalMemory Properties.
View Windows 10 memory details via CPU-Z
- Download CPU-Z and run the executable. You will probably need the Classic releases option.
- Navigate to the Memo to display the number of slots in your PC, the type of memory installed (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.) and the RAM size (GB). You'll also see real-time information about the operating frequency of the RAM as well as a detailed breakdown of latency and clock speeds, if you need it.
Find your RAM speed, size and type in macOS
As with everything Apple, the process of finding the necessary details about your hardware is very simple. You can use the process to view general information about your RAM.
- Click it Apple logo and select About this Mac. Your simplistic RAM information is displayed in the Preview tongue.
- If you are looking for a more in-depth report, a full technical breakdown is available by clicking System report which separates components into tabs, including memory, processor, hard drive, and other components.
3. To view real-time memory usage on your Mac running the latest software, use Projector search for “Activity Monitor”, then click on the related link to open it, then select the Memo tongue.
4. You can also access real-time memory information by opening Researcher, by clicking Applications, then selecting the Utilities Folder, followed by Activity Monitor and choosing the Memo tongue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Check RAM Manufacturer in Windows 10?
You can check your memory manufacturer in Windows 10 using Command Prompt, Powershell, or a third-party tool.
1. In Command Prompt, type “wmic memorychip get manufacturer” without quotes and hit Enter.
2. In Powershell, type “Get-WmiObject win32_physicalmemory | select the manufacturer » without quotes then press Enter.
3. As for third-party tools, search for one or use CPU-Z and click on the button SPD tongue.
How do I check if I have DDR3 or DDR4 SDRAM?
The easiest way to determine if you have DDR3 or DDR4 memory is to use CPU-Z. Click on the Memo tab and look for "Type" in the "General" section.
Find your RAM specs
As you have now seen, there are several choices available to you when it comes to your RAM specs, some a bit bulkier than others. If you prefer a nice GUI, stay away from command line tools.
Were you able to find your RAM details? Are you trying to replace or upgrade your PC's memory? Let us know below.
