How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (2024)

Having enough memory in your PC or laptop is important if you want to have a smooth PC experience. RAM, otherwise known as Random Access Memory, is extremely fast and efficient memory that temporarily stores the information that your computer needs to access quickly and frequently, and the more RAM you have, the more data it can store. That means you can switch between apps faster when you have a lot of them open, or it may help in apps that load a lot of assets, such as when editing a high-resolution image or a complex video.

If you don't know how much RAM is in your PC, it's relatively easy to find the details on Windows 11. You're more likely to run into issues if you don't have a significant amount of it, so it's good to check it out to make sure your PC can handle your workflow. We'll show you a couple of ways you can find the specifications of your RAM.

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Related

How much RAM do you need in your computer?

Let's explore how much RAM you need in your computer in order to properly tackle a variety of tasks.

How to check your total memory capacity

If you only want to know how much RAM your PC has, the easiest way to find out is through the Windows 11 Settings app.

  1. Open your Settings menu by searching in the Start Menu or using the shortcut (Win + I).
  2. Click the System category in the menu on the left.
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (2)
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (3)
  3. Click About at the bottom of the page. You may have to scroll down to find it.
  4. Under Device specifications, you should see Installed RAM with the maximum capacity next to it.

You'll see that the total usable RAM is lower than what's actually installed, and that's almost always the case because some memory can be shared with the GPU in your PC. That doesn't mean anything is wrong with your device.

How to check RAM specs in Windows 11 Task Manager

The above method is great if all you need to know is total memory capacity, but there are times when more information is required. The Windows 11 Task Manager can give you a bit more information about the RAM in your PC, which can paint a better picture of the performance you can expect from it. Here's how you can check it out:

  1. Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and choose Task Manager. Alternatively, you can search for Task Manager in the Start Menu.
  2. Click the Performance tab in the menu on the left. You'll see a list of hardware in your PC.
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (6)
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (7)
  3. Click Memory.
  4. You can now see the specs for your memory, including capacity, speed, the number of slots used, the form factor, and how much RAM is reserved for specific hardware in your PC (related to why the usable RAM is lower than the total RAM above).

Understanding RAM specs

This information can be helpful in a lot of situations. First off, knowing the speed can tell you what kind of performance you can expect from your RAM. While it won't always affect your day-to-day usage, some apps may benefit from higher speeds.

The number of slots used can also be useful if you're planning to upgrade your PC with more RAM. If all the slots on your PC are being used, that means you'll have to replace the modules inside, so you also have to make sure you're buying a module that's bigger than what you already have. If you have a free slot though, you just need to buy whatever capacity you want to add to your PC. Having two or more slots also usually means you have dual-channel memory, which results in much better performance.

The form factor is also important if you're planning to upgrade because there are different types of RAM. Desktop computers will usually show DIMM, while laptops with upgradable RAM will probably say SODIMM. You'll want to look for these terms when buying new RAM. However, there's another possibility. If it says Other, it might mean that the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard, which means you can't upgrade it.

How to use Command Prompt to list all RAM specs

Finally, if you want to get even more details, including the positioning of each RAM stick on the motherboard, you can use Windows Command Prompt to find out even more information. Here's how:

  1. Open the Start menu on your PC and search for the Command Prompt.
  2. Click Run as administrator.
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (10)
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (11)
  3. Type wmic memorychip list full. This will bring up a full list of specs for the RAM in your PC, including things like memory type (such as DDR4 or DDR5).
    How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (12)

How to find specific RAM information using the Command Prompt

If you want to get information about individual spec fields, you can also use the spec field names to get that information separately. For example, to get just the MemoryType and FormFactor fields, type wmic memorychip get devicelocator, memorytype, formfactor.

You can apply the step above to any of the spec fields on the list, separating each field with a comma. It's worth mentioning here that things like the memory type and form factor are represented by a code number, which equates to a specification or form factor. You can find a list of these codes below.

MemoryType code

Memory type

FormFactor code

Form factor

Unknown

Unknown

1

Other

1

Other

2

DRAM

2

SIP

3

Synchronous DRAM

3

DIP

4

Cache DRAM

4

ZIP

5

EDO

5

SOJ

6

EDRAM

6

Proprietary

7

VRAM

7

SIMM

8

SRAM

8

DIMM

9

RAM

9

TSOP

10

ROM

10

PGA

11

Flash

11

RIMM

12

EEPROM

12

SODIMM

13

FEPROM

13

SRIMM

14

EPROM

14

SMD

15

CDRAM

15

SSMP

16

3DRAM

16

QFP

17

SDRAM

17

TQFP

18

SGRAM

18

SOIC

19

RDRAM

19

LCC

20

DDR

20

PLCC

21

DDR2

21

BGA

22

DDR2 FB-DIMM

22

FPBGA

24

DDR3

23

LGA

25

FBD2

24

FB-DIMM

26

DDR4

It looks like DDR5 still isn't properly recognized, and it may still show up as an Unknown memory type.

Know your PC

These steps should give you all the information you need to know, whether you're planning to upgrade your RAM or just want to check if your PC is compatible with certain software or components. In current times, the minimum amount of RAM most computers should have is 8-16GB, so if you have less than you need it would be a good time to upgrade.

If you're curious to learn more about other aspects of your hardware, you can check out how to create a battery report to learn about your laptop's battery health and how it's been performing over time.

How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC (2024)

FAQs

How to find out your RAM specs on a Windows 11 PC? ›

Whether you're still on Windows 10 or have since upgraded to Windows 11, checking your RAM is easy. Open Settings > System > About and move to the Device Specifications section. You should see a line named "Installed RAM" that will be able to tell you how much you currently have.

How to check RAM details in Windows 11? ›

Whether you're still on Windows 10 or have since upgraded to Windows 11, checking your RAM is easy. Open Settings > System > About and move to the Device Specifications section. You should see a line named "Installed RAM" that will be able to tell you how much you currently have.

How do I check my RAM specs? ›

Following the steps below should tell you how much memory you currently have installed.
  1. Step 1: Click “Start” ...
  2. Step 2: Find “About Your PC” ...
  3. Step 3: Navigate to “Device Specifications” ...
  4. Step 4: Find out how much RAM you have. ...
  5. Method 1– ctrl, shift, esc. ...
  6. Method 2 – ctrl, alt, del. ...
  7. Method 3 – start, task manager, performance.

How much RAM does Windows 11 use? ›

How much RAM does Windows 11 use up? The operating system can consume anywhere from 2GB to 8GB of RAM and more. However, that doesn't mean that all the RAM used by Windows 11 is unavailable to you for running other software.

How do I know if my RAM is DDR3 or DDR4 in Windows 11? ›

You can also use Task Manager to check RAM details. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open it, then go to the Performance tab and select Memory to see all kinds of information about the system memory.

How do I check my RAM and graphics card Windows 11? ›

Open the Start menu, type Device Manager, and press Enter. Double-click Display adapters, or press the > icon. Your graphics card will be listed here. If your computer has integrated graphics in addition to a discrete video card, you'll see both listings.

How do I know what RAM my PC takes? ›

There are a few easy ways to find compatible memory. Check the documentation for your system or processor, run a system profiling utility, or use an online memory compatibility tool. DIMM (Dual in-line memory module) sticks are larger RAM modules, designed for desktop motherboards.

How do I check my RAM requirements? ›

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open Task Manager. Select the Performance tab, then Memory. Detailed information about the total memory capacity, number of slots, form factor, speed, and usage are shown.

How do I check my device RAM? ›

Go to Settings > System > Developer options. Go to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer options. Tap Memory to see the average RAM usage. If you tap Memory used by apps (called Memory use by app on some phones) you'll see which apps are using the most RAM.

What is the best RAM for Windows 11? ›

If you plan to upgrade your PC or laptop to Windows 11, your computer should have at least 4GB of RAM. While that is the minimum requirement to run Windows 11, you will need to have 8GB of RAM for smoother performance.

Is Windows 11 slow on 8GB RAM? ›

Features: Windows 11 has some cool new stuff, but it might need newer hardware. Windows 10 is stable and works with most things. Performance: Both can run on 8GB RAM, but Windows 11 might run smoother on newer hardware.

Does Windows 11 need 8GB RAM? ›

You can work with Windows 11/10 using 4GB RAM. However, if you need more speed to work with your PC/laptop, then you should opt for 8GB RAM.

How do I see what RAM specs I have? ›

Following the steps below should tell you how much memory you currently have installed.
  • Step 1: Click “Start” ...
  • Step 2: Find “About Your PC” ...
  • Step 3: Navigate to “Device Specifications” ...
  • Step 4: Find out how much RAM you have. ...
  • Method 1– ctrl, shift, esc. ...
  • Method 2 – ctrl, alt, del. ...
  • Method 3 – start, task manager, performance.

How to check RAM in Windows 11? ›

To check how much RAM is installed in your Windows 11 PC, open the Settings app, navigate to System > About, and then open the "Device Specifications" section. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, then navigate to Performance > Memory to view real-time RAM usage and the RAM's speed.

How do I know my exact RAM type? ›

  1. Open the Start menu and type "System Information".
  2. Click on the System Information app to open it.
  3. In the System Information window, expand the Components section.
  4. Click on Memory.
  5. In the right pane, look for the Manufacturer and Part Number fields. These will display the brand and model of your RAM modules.
Jan 8, 2019

How do I run RAM diagnostics on Windows 11? ›

Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the start menu. Type “Windows Diagnostic” in the search bar and select “Windows Memory Diagnostic” from the search results. Alternatively, you can press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, type “mdsched.exe” and hit Enter.

How do I check my RAM drivers Windows 11? ›

A: You can check for RAM driver updates by accessing the Device Manager in Windows 11 and navigating to the "Memory technology devices" category. Right-click on your RAM device and select "Properties" to view driver details and update options.

How do I manage RAM in Windows 11? ›

Quick Navigation:
  1. End Unnecessary Apps or Programs.
  2. Disable Startup Apps.
  3. Defragment Hard Drive.
  4. Disable SysMain Service.
  5. Adjust for Best Performance.
  6. Increase Virtual Memory.
  7. Set Your Registry.
  8. Scan Virus.
Jan 11, 2024

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