How to Check RAM Type and Specifications on Windows

Understanding your computer’s RAM specifications is essential for troubleshooting, upgrading, or ensuring compatibility with software requirements. Windows provides several built-in tools to access this information, and third-party applications can offer more detailed insights when needed.

1. Using Task Manager

Task Manager offers a quick overview of your system’s memory usage and specifications:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Performance tab.
3. Select Memory from the left sidebar.

Here, you’ll see:

• Total RAM installed
• Memory in use and available memory
• RAM speed (e.g., 2400 MHz)
• Form factor (e.g., DIMM or SODIMM)
• Number of slots used

2. Using System Information (msinfo32)

The System Information tool provides detailed insights into your system’s hardware:

1. Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
2. In the System Information window, navigate to System Summary.

Look for entries like:

• Installed Physical Memory (RAM)
• Total Physical Memory
• Available Physical Memory

3. Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt allows you to retrieve specific details about your RAM modules:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the following command:

wmic memorychip get devicelocator, capacity, speed, manufacturer, partnumber, serialnumber, memorytype, formfactor

This command will display:

• Device Locator: Slot information
• Capacity: Size of each RAM module
• Speed: Operating speed in MHz
• Manufacturer and Part Number
• Serial Number
• Memory Type: Numerical code representing the RAM type
• Form Factor: Physical design of the RAM module

To interpret the Memory Type code:

• 21: DDR2
• 24: DDR3
• 26: DDR4
• 34: DDR5

4. Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a more structured output for memory details:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Enter the following command:

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMemory | Format-Table Capacity, Speed, Manufacturer, PartNumber, SerialNumber, SMBIOSMemoryType, FormFactor -AutoSize

This will display a table with:

• Capacity: Size of each RAM module
• Speed: Operating speed in MHz
• Manufacturer and Part Number
• Serial Number
• SMBIOSMemoryType: Numerical code for RAM type
• Form Factor: Physical design of the RAM module

Refer to the same numerical codes as mentioned in the Command Prompt section to determine the RAM type.

5. Using Third-Party Software (Optional)

For a more comprehensive analysis, consider using third-party tools:

• CPU-Z: Provides detailed information about CPU and memory.
• Speccy: Offers an overview of system specifications.
• HWiNFO: Delivers in-depth hardware analysis.
• AIDA64: Advanced diagnostic and benchmarking tool.

These tools can offer more detailed insights, especially when built-in Windows tools provide limited information.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your computer’s RAM specifications is crucial for troubleshooting, upgrading, or ensuring compatibility with software requirements. While Windows provides several built-in tools to access this information, third-party applications can offer more detailed insights when needed.