It’s found on most brand-new computers, especially those designed for (or built by) gamers and enthusiasts. DDR4: This generation was introduced around 2014.It’s much more common in PCs that were built in the last 5-8 years use DDR3, and it’s still a common choice in budget computers today. DDR3: This generation was introduced in 2007.
Chances are your computer is not using DDR2 memory unless it’s a pretty old system. DDR2: This generation was introduced in 2003.This information is presented as a DDR version: Next, check the generation of RAM your computer’s motherboard accepts. RAM for laptops-and some ultra compact desktops-comes in smaller SODIMM modules (the shorter one on the bottom in the image below). And there are a few parts to that puzzle, as well.įirst up, RAM for desktops usually comes in DIMM modules (the longer stick pictured on top in the image below). You’re also going to need to determine what type of RAM your computer is capable of using. Just hit up Google with your model number and you should find what you’re after. If you’re unsure what motherboard you have, you can again turn to Speccy, where the Motherboard category shows you the information you need.
You’ll need to check the documentation for your motherboard or PC for the details. The second part of the equation (how much your motherboard can handle) depends entirely on the manufacturer, though most modern computers will support at least 8 GB, and more likely 16 GB or more.
The Home Basic edition can handle up to 8 GB, Home Premium up to 16 GB, and Professional up to 192 GB.
On Windows 7, things are a bit different.
That only tells part of the story, though. It’s easy enough to pop open your Settings app, head to the “About This PC” section, and see how much RAM you have. How Much RAM Do You Have Now (and In What Configuration)? RELATED: How Much RAM Does Your Computer Need for PC Games?Īnd, if you work with large media files (like projects in Photoshop or Lightroom), you use virtual machines on your PC, or have other specialized needs, you’ll want as much RAM as you can afford (and that your PC can physically accommodate). If you’re a gamer, or you often multitask lots of bigger programs, you’ll probably want 12-16 GB, if that fits in your budget. That’s kind of the sweet spot for how the majority of people use their PCs. Right now, we generally recommend at least 8 GB of RAM for most people. Of course, some of that depends on what you use your PC for. And moving beyond 16 GB is going to be a smaller boost still. Moving from 8 GB to 16 GB still shows some good gains in performance, but not as much. Moving from 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM is likely to make a huge difference. That said, the law of diminishing returns applies.