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How to Find DDR RAM Type in Windows 10 and 11 (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5)

Want to know what type of RAM (Memory) is installed in your Windows 10 or 11 computer? Here’s a simple way to find out.

RAM (also known as Memory) is a crucial hardware component required for running Windows and applications smoothly. Because it’s significantly faster than a hard disk, your computer stores all the data it actively uses in the memory for quick access.

When you’re looking to replace or upgrade your RAM, it’s crucial to know the type you currently have. For example, modern Windows systems often use DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5 RAM, which are not interchangeable. You can’t just buy any RAM and expect it to work; it needs to be compatible with your motherboard.

Thankfully, you have several ways to check your RAM type without physically removing it from your PC or laptop. So, without further ado, let me show you the steps to find the RAM type in Windows 10 and 11. Let’s get started.

Find RAM Type in Windows Using Task Manager

  1. Right-click the Start button on the taskbar.
  2. Select “Task Manager“.
  3. Go to the “Performance” tab.
  4. Choose the “Memory” option.
  5. You will see the memory type in the top-right corner or at the bottom.
  6. You will see the memory speed next to “Speed.”
  7. Close the Task Manager.
  8. With that, you now know the memory type and speed.

As a bonus, you can also see how many RAM slots your computer has and how many are in use next to “Slots used”. Most laptops have two RAM slots and desktops have four, with one or two already occupied.

Note: This method only works for DDR3 or older RAM types. If you don’t see the RAM type, your system might be using DDR4 or newer. Follow the second method to confirm.

Find RAM Type in Windows Using CPU-Z

Note: You require administrator rights to install and use CPU-Z.

CPU-Z is a free, lightweight, and user-friendly software utility that provides detailed hardware information, including RAM type and speed. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Get the CPU-Z software from here.
  2. Install it after downloading.
  3. Open the Start menu.
  4. Search and open “CPU-Z“.
  5. Go to the “Memory” tab.
  6. You will see the memory type next to “Type” under the “General” section.
  7. Go to the “SPD” tab.
  8. You will see the memory speed next to “Max Bandwidth“.
  9. Close the CPU-Z app.
  10. With that, you now know your system’s RAM type and speed.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

As the first step, go to this page and click the “Setup English” button under the “Classic Versions” section to download the CPU-Z application.

download CPU-Z

After downloading, double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install CPU-Z. Once installed, open the Start menu, search for “CPU-Z“, and click “Open” to launch the application.

open CPU-Z

After opening it, go to the “Memory” tab. The RAM type installed in your computer is displayed next to “Type” under the “General” section.

find ram or memory type in Windows

To find the RAM speed, go to the “SPD” tab and take a look at the “Max Bandwidth” field. In my case, the RAM speed is “3200 MHz”.

Note: CPU-Z shows RAM speed per slot. If your laptop or desktop has multiple memory modules, you can see the speed of each RAM module by selecting a slot from the “Memory Slot Selection” dropdown menu. This is particularly helpful to make sure all the RAM modules are of the same speed.

find ram or memory speed in Windows

Once done, you can close the CPU-Z application by clicking the “X” button on the top-right corner.

Wrapping Up — Finding RAM Type and Speed in Windows

In conclusion, you have two methods to check RAM type and speed in Windows. While Task Manager can provide basic memory information, it only works if your computer has DDR3 or older type of RAM. However, the CPU-Z method works on all systems and gives you accurate information while still being easy to use. So, I recommend following the second method.

If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.

Update: This tutorial is updated to reflect the changes in Windows and clarify that the Task Manager method only works in certain older systems.

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