The computer's Random Access Memory ( RAM ) is the short-term fast memory that is used to run applications and open files. In simpler terms, it is the memory that the computer uses to save the data that are used by open programs and by the operating system, so that the processor can access it much faster than accessing the data on the disk that it is, instead, long-term memory, where data is permanently stored (until it is deleted by the user). Short term means, for RAM, that data saved in memory remains available only while using the PC, completely disappearing when the computer is turned off. When you start a program or open a file, it is moved from the system memory (the disk) to its RAM.
The more RAM you have, the more, up to a certain limit, the more computers perform several operations simultaneously without slowing down. If you don't have enough RAM, your computer will slow down, as Windows (or another operating system) will be forced to move data in and out.
More details on what RAM is and what computer memory is used for in another article.
In this, let's see how to check how much RAM is present in a Windows PC and also the speed of the RAM, which can affect the overall performance.
The total amount of installed, used and available RAM is displayed in the Windows 10 Task Manager window. Below you can also read the format factor (essentially the type of shape), the speed and how many memory slots are being used. If the number of slots used is, for example, 2 of 4, then you can install more RAM without having to replace the one already present.
wmic MemoryChip get Banklabel, DeviceLocator, Capacity, Speed
In this case you can see the amount of RAM and the speed for each slot .
Information about the RAM installed in the PC can also be viewed in the system's firmware or UEFI BIOS, useful if you are using a computer without a functioning operating system. to find out how, refer to the guide to access the BIOS on your computer.
In another article it was explained in detail how much RAM is needed for Windows 10 and the use of the PC .
If you want to improve your PC by adding memory, in another article there is the detailed guide to add or replace the PC RAM
The more RAM you have, the more, up to a certain limit, the more computers perform several operations simultaneously without slowing down. If you don't have enough RAM, your computer will slow down, as Windows (or another operating system) will be forced to move data in and out.
More details on what RAM is and what computer memory is used for in another article.
In this, let's see how to check how much RAM is present in a Windows PC and also the speed of the RAM, which can affect the overall performance.
Know how much RAM is in the PC
How to check how much RAM is available on a Windows PC, there are several very simple and quick ways.See how much RAM there is in Windows 10
The first way, on Windows 10 and in Windows 8.1 is to use the task manager. Then right-click on the taskbar and select " Task Manager " or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to open it. On the " Performance " tab, select " Memory " in the left panel. If you don't see any Performance tabs, click on " More details ".The total amount of installed, used and available RAM is displayed in the Windows 10 Task Manager window. Below you can also read the format factor (essentially the type of shape), the speed and how many memory slots are being used. If the number of slots used is, for example, 2 of 4, then you can install more RAM without having to replace the one already present.
See the RAM present in Windows 7
The Task Manager does not offer the same amount of information about Windows 7 therefore, to view the total amount of RAM in the PC, you need to open Control Panel> System and Security> System . The same screen can also be opened by opening the Start menu, right-clicking on " Computer " and selecting " Properties ". On the right you can see the amount of " Memory installed " in System .See the RAM present in Windows by command
By opening a command prompt from the Start menu (in Windows 10 just press the right button of the mouse on the Start button and then choose the command prompt), you can find out how much RAM is present in the computer with the command:wmic MemoryChip get Banklabel, DeviceLocator, Capacity, Speed
In this case you can see the amount of RAM and the speed for each slot .
Program to know everything about your computer's RAM
To view more specific information on all the RAM modules installed by Windows 10 or 7, you can install a free and complete program like Speccy. Speccy needs no configuration and after installing it can be opened to see all the hardware details of the computer in use. The section dedicated to RAM gives all the details on the installed memory modules, including information such as the make, type, capacity and speed.Information about the RAM installed in the PC can also be viewed in the system's firmware or UEFI BIOS, useful if you are using a computer without a functioning operating system. to find out how, refer to the guide to access the BIOS on your computer.
Conclusions
How much RAM you need on a computer depends on what you do: for example, to play the latest PC games, run virtual machines and edit 4K videos, you will need a lot of RAM, at least 12 GB or 16 GB, while for surfing the internet and opening Word will be enough even only 4 GB (but by now 8 GB has become almost the minimum enough).In another article it was explained in detail how much RAM is needed for Windows 10 and the use of the PC .
If you want to improve your PC by adding memory, in another article there is the detailed guide to add or replace the PC RAM
