How to Test the RAM Speed of a Laptop

Random Access Memory (RAM) is required to run your laptop's operating system. How much or how little RAM is installed determines how fast certain tasks can be handled, how many programs can run concurrently and even whether a program can successfully run at all. RAM on most newer laptops comes in three common small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM) configurations: 144-pin SDRAM, 200-pin DDR and 200-pin DDR2. Each SODIMM has a rating based on processor capacity (100Mhz, 200Mhz, 333Mhz and so on). If your laptop runs slowly you can test the RAM speed to ensure it works as expected.

Instructions

1. Download a free utility such as Belarc Advisor (see Resources for the download link) to profile your laptop. Follow the installation instructions that appear on your screen, then run the program. The report it generates will provide you with detailed information about the RAM modules that are installed.

2. Download a RAM speed monitoring utility such as Passmark Software's Advanced Memory Test, Lavalys Software's Everest or CPUID's CPU-Z to your laptop and install it by following the instructions on your screen.

3. Start the monitoring utility. This is generally done by double-clicking the icon it installs on your desktop or in your Start menu. Select the option that measures the memory performance and run the test.

4. Compare the monitoring utility's test results to the manufacturer's memory speed specifications. If you do not have these specifications in your user's manual, use the information from your Belarc Advisor profile to look up the specific modules in your computer on the manufacturers' websites.

5. Consider replacing or upgrading the RAM to faster SODIMMs if your test results are below the manufacturer's specifications.

References

• Laptop Parts 101: RAM Memory
• Passmark.com: Test PC Memory Speed
• Lavalys Software: Everest

Resources

• System Memory (RAM) Performance Test
• CPUID x86 Technical Resources: CPU-Z Memory Utility
• Belarc Advisor