how to tell what ram is compatable with your motherboard
Have you finally realized you need more than RAM? Or did you figure out your current RAM sticks are faulty after a diagnosis?
Or you're a new PC architect, and choosing the correct RAM means you volition accept to make up one's mind on the capacity, blazon, price, timing specifications, and profile peak. I'thousand here to help you navigate the not-so-difficult path to finding the perfect RAM modules for your PC.
Important Things To Consider When Buying a RAM
What Ram is Compatible With My Motherboard?
The most accepted and easy method in choosing the advisable RAM for your computer is to look within your motherboard's manufacturer'south manual. This user manual lists all of the specifications of memory that it tin can support.
If yous don't take this transmission, run across the motherboard manufacturer'south website for this information. Typically, most of the vendors have a list called Qualified Vendor Listing (QVL) of RAM modules with timings, frequencies, and model numbers to exactly know what RAM sticks to search for your computer.
For laptops, manufacturers offer a user manual or service manual to the end-user. The user manual lists specifications for the replacement of all parts on the laptop. Again, also see the manufacturer'southward website if you do non have this information.
What if I Need More than Ram for My Quondam PC?
Adding RAM to a PC is easily i of the best means to increase your organization'south functioning. RAM can increment speed, productivity and boost your PC, old or new.
However, memory compatibility issues due to 2 or more than different RAM sticks tin can cause various issues like BSOD, instability, etc. So, in most use cases, I suggest y'all buy a new dual-channel DDRx kit, having 2 sticks of RAM that are guaranteed to exist identical.
The older RAM sticks can be discarded, since, even 2 irksome sticks will degrade the newer faster RAM sticks' performance, assuming you lot have 4 RAM slots to use both kits at the same time. (Kit meaning 2 sticks of identical RAM modules)
You can also go the hard way and find a module (or two) that matches your current RAM sticks' timings, chapters, clock-speed sufficiently closely. Mismatching different timings and specifications will firstly result in performance deposition to the slowest RAM stick and tin crusade instability issues.
The other downside of upgrading older PC's RAM is the cost. If you lot wanted to upgrade to 8GB more than RAM, you volition pay around $179 for DDR2. You would just pay around $27 for DDR3. If y'all were upgrading to DDR4, information technology would cost most $60.
As you can see, there is a steep price divergence between older RAM and DDR3 and DDR4. If your organisation is running well otherwise and yous don't want to invest in all new components, get get cheaper DDR3 or DDR4, it might exist a less expensive selection overall.
And so, even though a RAM upgrade feels small, the costs of the older generation are commonly very inflated due to supply shortages. Later on a product reaches EOL, the only products in circulation are either remaining supply or refurbished parts from the Used PC market.
Please take this into consideration, if your PC only supports 2 generations older DDR retention than the current market applied science. I would not recommend you a RAM upgrade of a DDR1 or DDR2 retentivity even for modest prices, since, there is no guarantee of a working fresh module.
Insertion Order and Single Replacements Tin can Touch RAM Compatibility
One thing to remember when y'all install the RAM sticks is that when you install more than two RAM sticks, you'll need to know which society to insert each RAM stick. This is function of the compatibility factor in that if y'all install them in the incorrect gild, they won't function optimally.
The specific slots that volition need to exist filled in sequential society, for more than ii sticks of RAM is usually properly depicted in your motherboard'due south user manual (and sometimes fifty-fifty on the motherboard itself).
Basically, this is all you should need to find which RAM modules bachelor are compatible with your computer and install them correctly on your PC. However, if you lot want to know more most the technicalities of RAM modules, and make an even smarter decision, read on further below.
What Generation of RAM Practice I Need?
Today, many machines all the same use DDR3, which has been standard in PCs since 2007 and is still widely sold. RAM course factors differ with each generation.
Each generation alter such as "DDR3 to DDR4", changes its course gene so information technology is not possible to accidentally insert the incorrect RAM into the slot.
One important reason for this is that electronic specifications alter with each generation, such as DDR4'south lower voltages compared to DDR3's. The voltage variations could crusade serious damage to the RAM or other peripherals.
The advantage that DDR4 has over DDR3 is that they are more energy-efficient since DDR4 RAM runs at a lower 1.2V compared to DDR3's i.5V or i.35V. This reduced power consumption and increased transfer rate make DDR4 more than desirable.
Identifying Using Stickers on the RAM Sticks
There are several ways to identify the differences between DDR3 and DDR4. The easiest of them is the sticker that is on the RAM itself. If in that location is a sticker on the RAM, it should provide information near your installed blazon.
If the sticker is not present or does not provide this data and you cannot install the programs mentioned above. Look at the voltage of the RAM using your motherboard BIOS. The tabular array below shows the voltage comparing of all RAM form factors from SDRAM to the cutting-edge new DDR5.
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Identifying Using Third Party Apps
There are quite a few third party apps easily available on the web for displaying the component specifications of your figurer. For example, AIDA64/ CPUZ / HWinfo all work fine for checking what RAM does your PC has currently, and more than. About motherboard BIOS also shows limited data on this.
Past using Speccy, we can see the memory type every bit DDR3. We can see at that place is a total of 16GB of Dual-Channel RAM.
The speed or frequency of the RAM is 797.8MHz. Since this figurer uses Dual-Channel RAM, the speed is doubled, making the total speed around 1600MHz.
We tin can besides see how many memory slots are bachelor on the motherboard and your memory usage.
How Is Laptop RAM Different From Desktop RAM?
The small form factor RAM or SO-DIMM (Small Outline – Dual In-Line Retentivity Module) RAM is the one used in laptops. The difference in SO-DIMM laptop RAM is its physical size. SO-DIMM is much smaller at ii ½ to 3 inches in length.
Desktop RAM or DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) DDR3 and DDR4 are both approximately five ¼ inches. The other difference is that Laptop DDR4 (SO-DIMM) has 260 pins where Desktop DDR4 (DIMMs) has 288 pins.
Laptop DDR3 (SO-DIMM) has 204 pins whereas the desktop DDR3 has 240 pins. Other variations of Then-DIMM and DDR can be seen in the chart below.
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What Do RAM Clock Speeds and RAM Timings Mean?
Now nosotros are going to start getting a fiddling bit more technical. Each RAM module has two retentiveness timing specifications that you want to look for. One spec is the frequency or the number of times something happens over a set period.
This is the bus speed of a DDR RAM module. Y'all usually run across this depicted as 2133 MHz, 2666MHz, 3000MHz, etc. in dual aqueduct DDR3, DDR4 modules' descriptions.
The 2d spec you want to look at is latency, which is how long information technology takes to catch up. These ii specifications are important if you are looking to get the most out of your RAM buy.
In the image in a higher place, you volition see a serial of numbers (CL xi-11-one-28) that define the latency of your RAM module. The series of numbers start with CAS (Column Admission Strobe) Latency or CL usually.
CAS is the time that it takes for your RAM to kickoff responding to a request. This number depends on the number of clock cycles which is the frequency of 1600 MHz for this instance.
The 2d number contains the tRCD (the Row to Column Delay). These numbers indicate the time information technology takes to search each row to find the column of the data it is searching for and stored.
The 3rd number is the tRP (the Row Precharge). The Row Precharge defines the necessary time it takes for the RAM to open a new row.
The quaternary and concluding number is tRAS (the Row Active Time). The Row Active Time is the minimum number of clock cycles that a row must stay open to ensure that data is read or written correctly.
This number should be greater or equal to the total of all other numbers listed above (CAS + tRCD + tRP = tRAS).
Knowing all the to a higher place, aim for the ideal combination of:
How Much RAM Capacity Do I Need?
If your system doesn't take enough memory, it will attempt to use your hard disk drive to assistance reduce the workload. This process utilizes Windows virtual memory (pagefile) or paging. Every fourth dimension you open applications that the RAM on your motorcar can't handle, information technology transfers the program to the pagefile.
The bad thing near paging is that information technology can overwork the difficult bulldoze. When your system doesn't take plenty RAM, your difficult drive will exist working overtime trying to keep upward with all of the processes.
Not but is this procedure much slower than a normal RAM process, but it tin can likewise cause retention allotment errors and hardware failures due to the increased read, write, and re-write on the hard disk bulldoze.
Crucial recommends "4GB of RAM for casual internet browsing and e-mail, at least 8GB for those using spreadsheets and flash games, and at least 32GB for gamers."
However, in our feel, 8GB is the minimum, and we recommend a perfect 16GB of RAM for gaming/media consumption/streaming, and 32GB for video editing, content creation and content manipulation.
4GB of RAM barely even makes it for bones browsing in the Windows environment, circa 2021. Linux is dissimilar and could work with this much RAM, not smoothly only better than Windows.
Another affair to consider is your processor's architecture. If you lot are using a 32bit (x86) OS, it volition non utilize more than than 4GB of RAM. Withal, if you lot have a 64bit Operating Arrangement (x64), you lot can utilize much more depending on your maximum motherboard specifications.
I should also mention that some CPU bit makers, such as Intel, limit the RAM frequencies based on the blazon of processor.
Finally, Choosing My Ideal RAM…
With so many articles of RAM out there, yous may exist wondering which ane you should purchase. The rule of thumb is e'er to choose a well-known, trusted supplier for any PC component.
Many Memory vendors exist and provide excellent quality products. A lot has to exercise with personal preference, availability, aesthetic value, price, and warranty offers.
Some very prominent RAM vendors are Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill, Kingston, Transcend, ADATA, Apacer, etc. It is very of import to practice your homework, use all of the information in this guide to brand a audio decision on a quality production that will provide you with the speed and functioning y'all require.
FAQs
Is 16GB of RAM Necessary in 2021?
In 2021 4GB of RAM is nonetheless considered the minimum of any Windows 10 PC; however, if you lot cheque electronic mail and do some web browsing, you are doing fine. 8GB is a trivial more mainstream for PCs as it can handle HD video editing, light gaming, and it'due south also the minimum for Adobe Photoshop.
16GB is considered the perfect amount of RAM for the bulk of users. With 16GB of RAM, y'all tin handle video editing, functioning gaming, and multitasking multiple memory-intensive apps simultaneously.
Why Is DDR So Expensive Right Now?
According to PCGAMER, the demand for DDR4 has spiked because cellular technologies are adapting the new DDR4 in their new phones. Smartphones accept become more popular and are not going away anytime soon.
The supply and demand of the new engineering have acquired a dramatic price increment.
What Is the Fastest RAM I Can Buy?
TrustedReviews tested 15 kits from 5 different manufactures and adamant that with 3200MHz and a latency of only sixteen-18-eighteen-36, the CORSAIR Vengeance LPX is the fastest performer. At that place are no RGB lights on this module, simply it makes up for it with raw ability.
This particular fix is a consistent high-end piece of hardware that is sure to delight.
Volition More RAM Make My Laptop Faster?
More than RAM will undoubtedly make any PC or Laptop faster and is the easiest and least expensive upgrade you can make. Increasing your RAM will increase speeds in multitasking and decrease startup time as well.
Is DDR3 or DDR4 Better for Gaming?
DDR4 is by far the all-time for a high-finish gaming rig. Even so, if you are an average gamer, it wouldn't exist worth investing in the more costly RAM.
Recent benchmarks show that differences in functioning of the two don't match the price due to the supply and demand of the DDR4 ram. As of this article, you tin can run higher frequency DDR3 at minimally less performance than DDR4.
Is 32GB of RAM Overkill for Gaming?
A automobile with 32GB of RAM for the sole purpose of gaming isn't actually necessary. A gaming rig will apply GDDR RAM from the GPU. As long equally y'all run 16GB of RAM and have a solid CPU and GPU, yous will exist fine.
With that said, it'south non overkilling; if you are a dedicated gamer and hate lag, stuttering, or any other possible performance problems, then go all out and become 32GB, especially if you are streaming, running multiple monitors etc.
Can You Employ 2 RAM Sticks From Different Vendors?
It is possible to utilize 2 dissimilar DDR modules. You must ensure they are the aforementioned generation equally DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, etc. Notwithstanding, if the frequencies do not match, even if 1 of them is higher, all of the RAM modules will be reduced and matched to the lowest-performing RAM.
If you accept 1 DDR3 module that operates at 3200MHz, and another operating at 2100MHz, both RAM will employ the lower speed of 2100MHz.
Source: https://www.technewstoday.com/what-ram-is-compatible-with-my-pc/