How to know the maximum amount of RAM?
SolvedPierr10 Posted messages 13775 Registration date Status Modérateur Last intervention -
Hello, thank you for giving me your time!
I own a desktop PC that has 4 GB of installed RAM. When I type a command in the command prompt, it tells me that I have the maximum installable RAM. However, in the documentation for my motherboard, which is only compatible with my PC, it states that with a 64-bit system, I can install up to 16 GB. I don't know who to trust, the documentation or Windows. If you could shed some light on this, that would be great!
Thanks in advance!
3 réponses
Hello,
You need to refer to what the manufacturer's support list says; there are many more compatibility factors than just quantity—there's generation, format, frequency, latency, etc. RAM is not limited to this single piece of data, which is the amount of memory.
The simplest way is to open up the tower and remove the installed RAM stick(s) to check their labels and specifications. Often, when there's only one stick and multiple slots, it’s enough to order the same one to double the memory.
On the software side, there's CPU-Z that can describe the characteristics; or better yet, refer to Crucial's tool:
https://www.crucial.fr/store/systemscanner
Best regards
Excuse me, I must have expressed myself poorly. I want to add RAM to my PC, but Windows tells me that I can install a maximum of 4GB and therefore cannot add more, while the manufacturer's manual says 16GB. I'm just asking which one I should believe to avoid buying RAM unnecessarily.
Hello, there’s no incompatibility between what you’re reading in the two documents.
The title of the discussion indeed refers to max RAM, and the manufacturer’s manual does too, and it’s rare for the manufacturer’s manual not to specify that the specifications may vary without notice for a particular model.
Windows tells me that I can install a maximum of 4GB
After all, if the installed Windows doesn’t feel capable of managing more, it seems to be installed on the PC and it’s the one managing the situation at the time of the report, taking into account its own capabilities and information.
to avoid buying unnecessary RAM
these are your last words, the request becomes very restrictive compared to the title of the discussion.
The last suggestion from the computer enthusiast is particularly well-suited to a specific case because the Crucial tool scans your PC to suggest the most suitable RAM hardware for the configuration, considering all the present technical subtleties.
It’s up to you to make the best use of the additional information provided by Crucial to make the most informed decision.
see better refer to the Crucial tool:
https://www.crucial.fr/store/systemscanner
Thank you for your comprehensive response.
After all, if the installed Windows doesn't feel capable of handling more, it seems to be installed on the PC and it's the one that manages at the time of the report, taking into account its own capabilities and information.
It's Windows 11 64-bit, it shouldn't have such a low limit. Moreover, my dual-boot Ubuntu also indicates a limit of 4 GB.
The last suggestion from the tech enthusiast is particularly well-suited to a concrete case because the Crucial tool scans your PC to propose the most suitable RAM hardware for the configuration, taking into account all the technical subtleties present.
Crucial doesn't work; the scan finds no matches. (that's a shame)
It's then up to you to make the most of the additional information provided by Crucial to make the most informed decision.
Since you tell me to refer to the manufacturer's manual, I will do so and keep my fingers crossed that my PC doesn't reject the RAM... At worst, 4 GB of RAM isn't too expensive.
Hello,
I don't know how you proceeded with Windows.
I believe the most reliable way is to type wmic memphysical get MaxCapacity, MemoryDevices in the command prompt.
Press Windows key + R
Then type cmd to open the command prompt
Then paste what I mentioned above in the new window.
In what will display, you have on the left the maximum installable memory and on the right the number of available slots.
What one understands well is clearly stated,
And the words to say it come easily.
(Boileau)