How to Determine RAM Memory Speed

RAM is the amount of temporary memory in your computer. You need to determine the correct RAM speed for your computer in order to add memory. RAM that is not the correct speed will not work in your computer. If you buy RAM that is a faster speed than what you computer can take, then the computer will run only at its maximum allowable speed. You can easily find out what your RAM speed is by looking it up online and using a simple software program.

Instructions

1. Go to cpuid.com/cpuz.php (see the second link under Resources below).

2. Click on "CPU-Z 1.52 Setup" in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Hit "Save File" to download it to your computer. Open the file and install it to your computer following the command prompts.

3. Find the CPU-Z program in your list of installed programs. Open it to run it. In 30 seconds, it will finish checking your computer's technical specifications, including RAM speed.

4. Click on the "Memory" tab on the program. The series of numbers ending with "Clocks" is your RAM speed--for example, 5-5-5-15-21. Buy a memory chip that is the same speed as this or slower.

References

• Microsoft: Add More Memory

Resources

• CPUID
• CPUID: CPU-Z