How to Identify RAM
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
There is very little information regarding memory modules like their total capacity that could be provided by your computer’s Operating System. Specifications that are more technical including timing capabilities and clock-speed would have to be discerned from the information sticker that is located on the side of every module. Looking at this information would require you to open the computer and manually remove each of these sticks in order to make a recording of its specifications. This kind of information is useful if the computer user is upgrading or is replacing the present memory and wants to utilize the same kind for the purpose of compatibility. So that memory modules like the RAM may be identified in a computer you will need to follow a number of technical procedures. The RAM or random access memory of a computer refers to the computing memory which is used on demand in order to spontaneously store little amounts of information. This is so that the computer system could run ongoing system applications and processes. The higher the RAM of a computer system, the faster is a computer at opening new applications and multitasking with several applications open at the same time. It is for these reasons that it is useful to know the number of RAM chips that are installed on a computer, how fast they are and their capacity.
Materials Needed:- Screwdriver
- CPU-Z freeware program
- Computer
- RAM
Step 1
Firstly, you will have to locate the original manual and purchase information of your computer. When attempting to make an identification of the RAM modules in a computer that you yourself had purchased, try to locate the user manual and other specifications of the materials that came bundled with the computer. The specification material should have the precise information on the amount of RAM present in the computer and the type of RAM that has been installed.
Step 2
If you are unsuccessful at trying to locate the original papers that came with your computer when you purchased it, there is another way for determining the amount of memory your computer system has. Simply run 'dxdiag.exe.' This is accomplished by going to the Start menu and then clicking on Run. It is in the command prompt that you should type in 'dxdiag' and then click on the 'OK' button. This command is capable of producing the vital information about the computer and this includes the amount of RAM that is being utilized.
Step 3
Employing a freeware diagnostic tool in gathering detailed information on your computer’s RAM may also be done as an alternative. There are a number of useful applications and web sites that have the capability to locate the data of your memory sticks and display them on your screens. For example, the popular manufacturer of memory known as Crucial provides free downloads for memory scanning applications. Another freeware application called the CPU-Z does not require installation and yet gives very detailed information regarding your computer’s processor, memory and graphics card. The freeware CPU-Z tells you the RAM’s manufacturer, the number of modules installed, each module’s size and capacity, the memory’s maximum bandwidth and even their serial numbers.
Step 4
If all of the other methods for identifying the RAM fail, your last resort may be to open the case of the computer using the screwdriver and take out the RAM sticks so that you may look at the information that is printed on the RAM. The moment the case has been opened, you will see the number of RAM modules installed on your computer. The RAM modules are the chips that are aligned in the parallel slots that are typically right next to the big CPU fan and heat sink that are attached to the motherboard. In order to eject the RAM, you will have to firmly press down on the clips located on both ends of the RAM bay. The RAM stick would have to have an identifying information printed on it. This information would include the part number and the manufacturer’s name.