How to find out all the characteristics of the RAM installed on a computer or laptop. How to find out the type of RAM

Not all users understand the functioning of system components. Such knowledge helps to understand the operation of the computer and, if necessary, troubleshoot any problems. Therefore, you often need to know how to find out the amount of RAM or other PC characteristics.

Concept of RAM

RAM has long been an integral part of the system. And if the system can function without a discrete video card, then things are more complicated with an operational one.

The component is volatile in the system. It is part of the computer memory and stores it while the PC is running. That is, RAM is not concerned with saving user data, but is designed to maintain system functionality.

For example, you opened a browser and there are several tabs in it. Then you had to interrupt your work to launch one of the programs. You worked with it for a while and returned to the web browser. To ensure that neither one nor the other information is lost, it is written in code to RAM. The same situation occurs with computer games.

RAM operation

Before you figure out how to find out, it is important to understand how RAM functions. All data is stored in the module semiconductors. All of them are accessible and can work if voltage is applied to them. That is, in a switched off computer. If the electrical current supply is interrupted while the RAM is operating, then any stored information may be distorted or destroyed.

RAM capabilities

Thanks to the RAM, energy-saving mode can work. It helps the PC put the system into sleep mode. At this time, energy consumption is reduced. But since electricity is still supplied to the motherboard, the RAM module is fully functional.

But if you use hibernation, then in this case the RAM will not help, since it turns off the voltage completely. But before this, the system manages to write all the information that was stored in RAM into a special file, which will start the next time the system is turned on.

Creating RAM

How to find out the amount of RAM was previously out of the question. Many initially did not understand the essence of this component. But work on it began back in 1834. Of course, at that time these were only the beginnings of a modern prototype. But the idea itself appeared thanks to Charles Babbage and his Analytical Engine.

During this time, the device has gone through a huge number of revisions. At first it was made as magnetic drums. Afterwards, magnetic cores were developed, and already in the third generation microcircuits were invented.

RAM capacity

Before installing a RAM module into the system, you need to understand how to find out the maximum amount of RAM on your PC. This can be done programmatically.

If you are working with the Windows operating system, then it will be enough to go to “My Computer”. Then right-click on the free area and select “Properties”. Brief information about the system will be available in the dialog box.

Here you need to find the line “System type”. The maximum amount of RAM can be determined by looking at the bit depth of the OS. If the operating system is specified as 32-bit, then the maximum supported amount of RAM is 4 GB. In the case of a 64-bit system, this figure is 128 GB. That is, all modern PCs must be based on x64 OS.

It is not possible to determine RAM so easily. It all depends on how long ago the device was purchased. To do this, you will have to refer to the operating documentation. For example, models from 2006 to 2009. they received only 4 GB, after that, until 2012, they worked with 16 GB, and until the end of 2013, 32 GB of RAM was available.

Motherboard

Much also depends on the capabilities of maternal memory. Even if the operating system runs with 128 GB of RAM, the motherboard may not support this amount. To do this, you will have to open your PC and find out the motherboard model. Afterwards you can search for information about it. In the case of a laptop, it is enough to find the documentation for it or find information on the manufacturer’s official website.

Situation now

The current minimum amount of RAM is 1 GB. This is the minimum that can still withstand working with office programs and a browser. But for another six months or a year, and due to the resource intensity of programs and media content, there will not be enough resources.

8-16 GB of RAM is considered optimal. This is enough for heavy programs like Photoshop, computer games, and office work.

How many are installed?

Once you figure out how to find out the maximum supported amount of RAM, you can try upgrading the RAM. But to do this you will have to find out how much is in the system.

To do this, you can go to “My Computer” again, right-click on the free space and select “Properties”. A new dialog box will show the total amount of RAM. This option is more suitable for understanding how to find out the amount of RAM on a laptop, since it is not easy to get to the module in laptops.

You can also install the CPU-Z program to get all the RAM data. To do this you need:

download the program;
install and open it;
go to the SPD tab.

The memory type, its size, operating frequency, manufacturer and even serial number will be indicated here.

On a PC, it’s better to check everything with your own eyes:

disconnect the system from power;
remove the side cover;
find the module on the board;
turn it off and check the information on the label.

If one module is installed on the computer, then it is possible to connect one or two more. But for this you will have to choose the same RAM modules. That is why it is better to remove the device from the case in order to find identical or very similar parts and purchase them.

Mem Reduct Program

How can I find out the amount of RAM used by my computer? To do this, you can install the Mem Reduct program. This small utility gives information about how much physical, virtual and real-time memory is being used. But, in addition to this, it allows you to clear data that is no longer needed.

If the system starts to slow down, this is especially true for computers with 1-4 GB of RAM, then you can install this program. Once you enter it, some indicators will be highlighted in orange. This means the memory is full. Just click on “Clear memory” to temporarily unload it.

The program is very useful because it allows you to maintain the operating state of the system without braking. If you don't have much RAM installed, it's best to clean it once an hour. Of course, everything will depend on the processes.

Computer performance is a combination of several factors, or better yet, the technical characteristics of hardware devices, among which the main role is played by the processor, hard drives and, of course, RAM or RAM for short. On a computer, RAM serves as a kind of intermediate link between the processor that performs all the calculations and the storage device - the HDD or SSD. The processes of all programs and the Windows 7/10 operating system itself are loaded into it, but if the volume of application data exceeds the capacity of RAM, the data is cached, for example, in the page file. But in any case, a lack of RAM will cause the computer to run slowly and applications to become less responsive. And on the contrary, the more RAM there is on a PC, the faster data exchange occurs, the faster the system, the more powerful applications you can run.

What are the main characteristics of RAM and why know them?

So, the more RAM, the better, and that is why users often install an additional RAM module on their PC. However, you can’t just go to the store, buy any memory and connect it to the motherboard. If it is chosen incorrectly, the computer will not be able to work, or even worse, it will lead to the fact that the RAM will simply fail. Therefore, it is so important to know its key characteristics. These include:

RAM type. Depending on performance and design features, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 modules are distinguished.
Memory capacity. The parameter is characterized by the amount of data that can fit in memory cells.
RAM frequency. The parameter determines the speed of operations performed per unit of time. The bandwidth of the RAM module depends on the frequency.
Timing. These are time delays between sending a memory controller command and its execution. As the frequency increases, the timings increase, which is why overclocking the RAM can lead to a decrease in its performance.
Voltage. The voltage required for optimal operation of the memory stick.
Form factor. The physical size, shape of the RAM stick, as well as the number and location of pins on the board.

If you install additional memory, it must have the same size, type and frequency as the main one. If the RAM is completely replaced, attention should be paid to the support of the replaced RAM by the motherboard and processor with only one nuance. If the PC uses Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7 processors, matching the memory frequency and the motherboard is not necessary, because for all these processors the RAM controller is located in the processor itself, and not in the northbridge of the motherboard. The same goes for AMD processors.

How to determine the type and amount of RAM visually

Physically, RAM is an oblong board, most often green, with chips located on it. On this board, the manufacturer usually indicates the main memory characteristics, although there are exceptions. Thus, there are memory sticks on which nothing is indicated except the name of the manufacturer. If there are markings, it is not difficult to find out what RAM is installed on the PC. After completely turning off the computer and removing the system unit cover, carefully remove the memory module from the slot (the latter may not be necessary) and carefully study the information on the white sticker.

A number with the GB prefix will indicate the memory capacity, a number with the MHz prefix will indicate the frequency, numbers in the format X-X-X-X will indicate timing, V will indicate voltage. But the type of RAM (RIMM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc.) is not always indicated. In this case, you should pay attention to the throughput, usually designated as PC and check it according to the standards specification on the same Wikipedia page ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRAM. The number after PC usually indicates the DDR generation, for example, PC3-12800 indicates that the PC has DDR3 memory installed.

How to find out how much RAM you have using Windows tools

Above, we briefly discussed how to determine what RAM is on a computer by visually inspecting the module; now let’s find out how to find out its volume using the operating system. Windows 7/10 has a built-in utility for this. msinfo32.exe. By pressing the Win+R keys, bring up the “Run” dialog box, enter the command msinfo32 and press Enter.

In the main section of the system information window that opens, find the item “Installed random access memory (RAM)” and see its volume in GB.

Instead of the msinfo32.exe utility, you can use another built-in component to determine the amount of RAM - a diagnostic tool DirectX. It is launched with the command dxdiag, the amount of memory is displayed in megabytes on the first “System” tab.

Third-party programs for determining RAM parameters

The information provided by the standard Windows utility is sparse. It allows you to find out how much RAM is on your computer, but does not display its other important characteristics. If you need more data, it is better to use special programs. The most famous of them is, of course, AIDA64 Extreme Edition. Information about the memory in this program is contained in the menu Motherboard – SPD and include such characteristics as module name, volume and type, frequency, voltage, timing and serial number.

You can also view the RAM using the program Speccy from the developers of the popular cleaner CCleaner. General information about RAM in the program is available on the main “Summary” tab, and additional information is available on the “RAM” tab. This includes volume, type, timing, channel mode, frequency and some other, less important information. Unlike AIDA64, the Speccy application is free, but it shows less information.

To view the main memory characteristics, we can also recommend the utility CPU-Z. The necessary information is located in the “Memory” tab. It includes the type, size, channel mode, ratio of the system bus frequency to the RAM frequency and other additional information. Like Speccy, CPU-Z is free, but it does not support the Russian language, which, however, is not so important.

And finally, we recommend one more program for viewing information about RAM. It's called HWiNFO64-32. Externally and functionally, it is somewhat reminiscent of AIDA64 and at the same time CPU-Z. On the “Memory” tab, the program shows the module type, capacity in megabytes, channel mode (one-, two- or three-channel), clock frequency, timing and other additional information. HWiNFO64-32 is free, the interface language is English, which, as in the case of CPU-Z, is not fundamentally important.

RAM is a volatile memory that contains temporary processor program data. The amount of RAM affects the ability to simultaneously work in several programs.

How can I find out the amount of RAM in Windows 7?

Below are several ways to find out how much RAM is in a PC or laptop if Windows 7 is installed on it.

The standard steps for Windows 7 are as follows:

In the menu that opens, find “System” and “Installed memory/RAM” - the amount of RAM is displayed here.

You can also use the following algorithm:

Click “Start”;
Log in to the “Control Panel”;
Find "System".

PC parameters are indicated here: operating system version, hardware models, amount of installed RAM.

There is another easy method to enter the “System” menu:

Right-click on “My Computer”
Click on “Properties”.

How to find out how much RAM a PC is using on Winodws 7?

To find out the amount of RAM used, you need to do the following:

Obtaining detailed information about your computer's RAM

To see detailed information about the RAM used by Windows, you need to open the command line. It will allow you to find out the speed parameters and capacity of all memory modules.

The following steps are required:

Column Explanation

The “BankLabel” displays a list of slots where the RAM modules are located. “Capacity” shows the size of all of them in bytes. Also in “DeviceLocator” is a list of slots. “Speed” shows the speed of all modules individually.

Why doesn't Windows 7 see all of the computer's installed RAM?

This issue can be clarified by analyzing the following reasons:

In the case of 32-bit Windows 7, which uses no more than 4 gigabytes of RAM. Even if you install RAM greater than this value, the 32-bit version of Windows will see only 4. How many bits the operating system is on your computer can be found in the “System” menu. To make higher RAM available, Windows must be upgraded to 64-bit.
Conflict of RAM modules due to their operation at different speeds, i.e. do not work correctly in dual-channel mode. It is necessary to determine the operating speed of each of them using the command line (instructions for its use are given in the previous section of the article);
If a module is not functioning correctly, the OS cannot see it. You need to run a test using the freely available application "MEMTEST";
If there is a conflict between the RAM hardware and the computer’s motherboard, Windows will not see them. In order to determine the type of RAM suitable for your computer, you need to study the instructions that came with your PC hardware.

Many people ask this question: how to find out the type of RAM on your computer? But that's not the only question they ask. You can often hear or see the question of how to choose the right RAM, how much RAM does it cost, how can I find out in what mode it works - single-channel or dual-channel, and which purchase option will be most acceptable - one 8 GB stick or two 4 GB sticks? Today, in this one article we will try to sort out all these points.

How to find out the type of RAM

If you want to find out the necessary information about RAM, for example, frequency, volume, type of RAM, then this is usually marked on the module itself; if this is not there, then you will have to look for information about and. Sometimes this can be difficult and time-consuming.

I want to explain a few points. If you have a processor Intel Core i3, i5 or i7, then you should know that the RAM controller is located in the processor, and previously it was located in the north bridge of the motherboard. Therefore, all RAM modules, if there are Intel Core processors, are controlled by them.

Now another important point. From the above it follows that now it doesn’t matter what RAM frequency your motherboard supports, you need to look at what RAM frequency your processor supports. For example, Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors support the following RAM specifications: PC3-8500 (DDR3- 1066 MHz), PC3-10600 (DDR3- 1333 MHz), PC3-12800 (DDR3- 1600 MHz). These frequencies are the ones at which the RAM will operate. If the motherboard supports, say, a frequency of 2400 MHz, then this does not matter.

If you have a processor with an unlocked multiplier, this is when there is a "" at the end TO", For example, Intel Core i7 6700K, this means that the RAM sticks will operate at the highest frequency, for example, 1866 MHz or 2400 MHz. In an overclocked processor, RAM can operate at a frequency of 2400 MHz. If you install RAM sticks with the maximum frequency, and you have a processor with a locked multiplier, then in the best case, the RAM will operate at a frequency of 1600 MHz, or the computer will not boot at all. Therefore, when choosing RAM, always pay attention to these points.

In the screenshot below we see a RAM bar with some information written on it, how can we read it?

Here are the notations:

4GB– RAM capacity 4 GB.

1Rx8- this is Rank - which means a memory area that is created by several or all of the module's chips. For example, 1Rx8 means single-sided memory rank, and 2Rx8 means double-sided.

The type of DDR2 or DDR3 is not indicated on the bar, but there is a bandwidth - PC3-12800. PC3 stands for Peak Bandwidth, which only applies to the DDR3 type. (If there was PC2, it would belong to the DDR2 type).

As you can see, this RAM stick is DDR3 type, and the bandwidth is PC3-12800. The number 12800 needs to be divided by 8, then you get 1600 MHz, which is the frequency of the RAM.

Here is a table of standards specifications to make it more clear about other types of RAM.

Let's look at another RAM module.

In the example we see that the RAM has a capacity of 4 GB, type DDR3 and throughput RS3-10600. Divide the number 10600 by eight and get a frequency of 1333 MHz.

Well, we actually figured out how to determine the type of RAM by appearance.

It is worth noting that all RAM sticks, depending on the type, differ in the size of the contact pads and the location of the cutouts. Thus, you will not be able to install a RAM module into a slot that is not intended for it. Let's say you have a DDR3 module. It will no longer be possible to install it in a DDR2 slot.

Here is a diagram that shows everything clearly:

It happens that the necessary information is practically not on the module, and if it is removed, the warranty will be void. Fortunately, we can determine everything we need by the name of the module itself.

Let's say we are given a module with the name Kingston KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX. Each characteristic in the name of this module means the following:

KHX1600– module frequency is 1600 MHz.
C9– Timings (the fewer there are, the faster the RAM works) 9-9-9.
D3– DDR3 type
8GX– The amount of RAM is 4 GB. The letter X at the end means support for the XMP profile.

If you couldn’t determine anything at all or there is completely different information written there, then you can type the name of the memory stick into a search engine and determine the necessary information. You can also determine the type of RAM. It will show you in detail about all the components of the computer.

Is it possible to install RAM of different frequencies?

They say that the frequency of RAM on the slats should be the same, in fact, this is not a necessary condition. The motherboard will set the frequency for all modules to the slowest level. Sometimes, the computer may be unstable with different RAM speeds.

Is it possible to install RAM modules at a frequency higher than that supported by the motherboard?

You need to remember that RAM modules must be supported by your processor and motherboard. If you installed modules with a frequency of 1866 MHz or even 2400 MHz, and the motherboard supports 1600 MHz, then in the best case, the module will operate at a frequency of 1600 MHz, and in the worst case, the module will operate at 1866 MHz, but the computer will reboot frequently, all sorts of errors and blue screens appear. In this case, you will have to manually set the frequency to 1600 MHz.

What are timings?

RAM timings determine how often the processor accesses RAM. If you have a 4-core processor with a 2nd level cache, then you should not pay much attention to high timings, since the processor accesses RAM less. Timings may vary on memory modules. The motherboard will still set the timing to the slowest module.

What is needed for dual-channel operation?

Before you buy new memory modules, it is worth studying the characteristics of the motherboard in great detail. Usually all this can be found out from the documentation offered for it; if it is not there, then you can find it on the official website of the motherboard. Modern motherboards most often support dual-channel mode.

If the slots on the motherboard are painted in different colors, this means that it supports dual-channel operation. Thus, you can install two RAMs with the same characteristics in slots of the same color.

Look, maybe your mate. The board supports dual-channel mode, then you can buy more RAM. Remember, the strips must have the same characteristics.

What is the difference between dual channel and single channel mode?

If you do normal work on a computer, such as working in a word processor or surfing the Internet, then you won’t see much of a difference, but if you play powerful, modern games, render, work in Adobe Photoshop, then you will definitely feel the difference.

Note! If you install RAM modules of different sizes, the dual-channel mode will still work for them. Let's say one stick has 1 GB, and the second 2 GB, then the motherboard activates the dual-channel mode for the 1 GB stick completely, and for the second stick also 1 GB, the remaining 1 GB volume will work in single-channel mode.

In what mode does my RAM work - single-channel or dual-channel?

To determine this you need to download a special utility CPU-Z. Let's launch it and go to the tab "Memory", there we see a point "#Channel", which matters Dual. This means that the RAM operates in dual-channel mode. If it were there Single, that means there would be a single-channel mode.

There is also a three-channel mode - Triple Mode, but it is used quite rarely.

What will work better, two 4 GB modules in dual-channel mode or one 8 GB module in single-channel mode?

A rather controversial issue, but after some observations it turned out that during normal work on a computer there will be no difference, but when using large graphics and video editors the difference will be noticeable; in our case, two 4 GB sticks will work faster.

Is it permissible to install memory modules with different sizes and frequencies?

That's all, if you have any questions, ask them in the comments.

Users interested in “what affects a computer” and asking similar questions have come to the right address. The article covers all these topics. But before we move on to solving problems, let's understand what RAM is and how much RAM is needed. Random access memory or random access memory (RAM) is a volatile (short-term, non-permanent) memory.

When the computer is turned off, it is reset to zero, which is why it is called volatile. It is needed for temporary storage of intermediate data that is processed by the processor and currently executing machine code. RAM stores running applications, services and intermediate results of their operation.

RAM for a computer is made in the form of so-called “slats” with an incredible number of transistors (dynamic) or transistors and capacitors (static). Any user can install RAM in the appropriate slot with which the motherboard is equipped.

You can’t install it incorrectly - various models of brackets are equipped with keys - cuts, for which similar shaped convexities are located on the motherboard. Thanks to this implementation, the user will be able to increase the computer’s RAM or replace a non-working “bar” in a matter of seconds.

How much RAM do you need on your computer?

Let's figure out how much RAM is needed for a modern computer to cope with its tasks.

There is no optimal amount of RAM in nature, and there are two main reasons for this.

Computers are used to solve various problems (one user just needs to launch the player, browser and office applications, another works with resource-intensive applications for video editing, 3D and other modeling, a third plays new games).
Moore's Law. Although its operation has been questioned over the past couple of years (it stops working), the amount of RAM required for normal computer operation is constantly increasing.

Let's consider the amount of RAM required for 2016.

2 GB

Let's start with the fact that installations of Windows operating systems require 2 GB of RAM. For smaller volumes, you need to use only XP.

A computer with 2 GB of RAM is considered an office computer - it is comfortable to work with office applications, the Internet, and watch movies.

In this case, use a page file or virtual memory (analogous to RAM, in which currently unused data is written to the hard drive). It's been around since Vista.

4 GB

This amount of memory is now optimal. A Windows 7 -10 user will be able to work without problems in graphic and video editors and web applications. What you need for normal operation, periodic file conversion and video processing.

8 GB

Almost every game released in the last year and a half consumes at least 4 GB of RAM. Therefore, gamers are recommended to use at least 8 GB of RAM. Remember that the speed of games depends primarily on the performance of the video card, and only then on the RAM.

In 2017, the amount of required RAM can be increased by 1.5 times. And for the latest new games, 12 GB will be enough.

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How to find out the amount of RAM?

We figured out what RAM is. Now let's move on to methods that will help determine its volume on a computer or laptop. The operating system tools are enough for this. But to obtain detailed data (for those who want to increase the RAM on the computer), you will have to resort to using third-party utilities.

Checking the amount of RAM using Windows

The first method is the simplest and fastest. To see data about the amount of RAM, go to the “System” information window. This is done using the following methods:

through the “Properties” item of the “My Computer” directory;
go to “My Computer” using the “Win + E” keys and click “System” in the top menu;
go to the “Control Panel”, where we find the required item.
When grouping items, the item is located in the “System and Security” menu.

In the window that opens, find the line “Installed memory (RAM)”
Similar information will be displayed after entering the command “msinfo32” into the search bar of the “Start” menu or the “Run” window, called up using the combination “Win + R”
The last way to find out the amount of RAM through the graphical interface is the “dxdiag” command entered into the same “Run” window or search line

The last option to see the number of bytes of RAM on your computer is to use the Windows command interpreter tools.

Launch the command line.
Type “cmd” into the search or “Run” box and click “Enter.”
Enter the command “winsat mem -v” in the text line.
Press "Enter".

We are looking for the line “Total physical mem available to the OS”

Find out the amount of RAM using third-party utilities

Alas, Windows developers did not provide the ability to view the frequency of RAM using OS tools. To do this, we will resort to the help of free utilities Speccy from Piriform and HWinfo.

To see the detailed characteristics of the RAM, run the HWinfo utility.

Although it is distributed in English, it will not cause any difficulties in operation.

The left frame displays a tree structure of the PC hardware.
Go to the “Memory” item.
The right frame contains detailed RAM data - the first line: “TotalMemorySize” displays its total volume.
Just below, in the “CurrentMemoryClock” line, the current (operating) frequency of the RAM is indicated.

In the free Speccy program, actions are carried out in a similar way: launch the utility and go to the appropriate section.

The right information panel displays information about the computer's memory.

Another option to determine the amount of RAM is to unscrew the side panel of the computer and look at the stickers on the RAM strip or strips. Viewing laptop memory in this way is a little more difficult, so it’s better to use software methods.

Types of RAM

RAM is classified according to several indicators. One we mentioned earlier is dynamic DRAM and static SRAM memory (depending on the elements on which the memory cells are made).

The next classification of RAM is the execution architecture and, accordingly, operating frequency, bandwidth. Types of RAM depending on the architecture:

DDR is an outdated RAM standard operating at frequencies up to 400 MHz.
DDR2 is a widely used, but being replaced in recent years, RAM operating at frequencies from 533 to 1066 MHz.
DDR3 is a new standard that is gaining popularity (operating frequency from 1 to 2 GHz). The performance increase compared to DDR 2 is 5-10%.
DDR4 is a model that appeared in 2014, the operating frequency of which exceeds 2 GHz.

It is not popular yet and is intended for gamers, overclockers and other enthusiasts

There are also types of RAM that have gone out of use (with rare exceptions): SIMM, DIMM, SDRAM.

Due to the fact that RAM is made in the form of quick-removable modules, increasing the computer’s RAM will not be difficult for any user. When choosing RAM, be sure to pay attention to the architecture and operating frequency.

Now you know how much RAM you need.