
Muninder Adavelli
Updated · May 31, 2023
Velina describes herself as passionate media savvy and a versatile individual with numerous differen... | See full bio
The average computer user most likely doesn’t know much about the technicalities of how their device works. You may be puzzled as to why your laptop suddenly slows down, and you’re overwhelmed by the seemingly simple fixes online. Our guide will help you understand your computer’s random access memory and how to check RAM speed.
Random access memory (RAM) is a type of short-term computer memory that your processor needs to store data. Although RAM doesn’t process data, its capacity and speed significantly affect your device’s performance.
Capacity determines how many programs you can open at once. Naturally, 8GB of RAM will allow your computer to perform much better than 2 to 4GB. Therefore, having more RAM is, for example, essential for gaming.
RAM is measured in megahertz (MHz), reflecting the time it takes to receive requests from the processor—which needs to process data as you use your device.
There are several ways to measure RAM speed in your Windows operating system and macOS.
If you notice your system slowing down, you can conduct a RAM speed test in three ways.
Follow these steps to check for RAM speed via Task Manager.
A Windows RAM test can also be conducted via a command prompt.
You can also do a RAM speed test on a Windows PC using such third-party software as CPU-Z or Driver Easy—free to download and easy to use.
CPU-Z shows RAM speed by the following steps.
Driver Easy is another viable option.
You can also check your computer RAM on a Mac by taking the following measures.
About This Mac contains your PC’s stats. You can check for RAM speed with the following simple steps.
If your RAM speed or device is slow, you may benefit from installing cleaning software for Mac computers.
You can also take the following steps from the Activity Monitor app to find your RAM speed.
Just like Windows, macOS also supports third-party memory testers, including, for example, Memtest86+ and Rember.
To use Memtest86+:
To use Rember:
Your device will likely lag if it cannot process your programs quickly enough. Therefore, RAM speed is essential for your laptop or PC to run smoothly. Over 2,400 MHz is good RAM speed for average users and gamers.
Faster RAM affects the overall system performance of your device, but so does capacity and other components, such as the CPU and motherboard.
Increasing your memory may help, but a mismatch between an increase and what your PC can support could halve the speed. Moreover, overclocking RAM may cause crashes and freezes.
The following methods can increase your computer’s RAM speed.
RAM helps your processor store data as you open and use various programs. Its capacity is measured in gigabytes (GBs), and its speed in megahertz (MHz). You can check memory speed via Task Manager or CMD Prompt in Windows. Alternatively, look for About This Mac or Activity Monitor on your macOS. You can also use third-party RAM-checking software on both operating systems.
By understanding what RAM is and its speed, you can boost your computer to better performance by optimizing background processes, cleaning your PC/laptop, adding RAM, or overclocking via XMP or custom settings.
Ways of checking your RAM speed depend on your operating system. On Windows, use Task Manager or CMD Prompt. You can check About This Mac or use the Activity Monitor app if you have a Mac. Both operating systems support third-party programs for checking RAM and other stats of your computer.
Find the Command Prompt in the Start menu to check RAM speed in CMD. Right-click and run it as ‘administrator’. The CMD command showing you RAM specs is ‘wmic computersystem get totalphysicalmemory’.
While RAM undoubtedly affects the speed of your PC, the CPU, motherboard, and other components also affect your system’s performance. Memory capacity also plays a significant role in how smoothly your device operates. Therefore, faster speed helps RAM do its job better, but it doesn’t automatically speed up your computer on its own.
Once you understand how to check RAM speed, you may wonder if it can improve your gaming experience. Depending on the game and system, faster RAM could affect FPS, but not typically.
Upgrading the processor or graphics card usually improves FPS drastically. Most apps show no notable difference in performance when RAM speed is increased. Some games, however, are greatly affected when paired with higher memory speed.
Velina Nenova
Velina describes herself as passionate media savvy and a versatile individual with numerous different interests, most a result of her Media & Communications BA. She has also developed a keen interest in Digital Marketing and Advertising. Her never-ending desire to constantly learn new things and enrich herself and her ultimate dream to go around the globe before 45 are her driving forces.
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Muninder Adavelli
Updated · May 31, 2023
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