Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Check your installed memory in your operating system, then use your computer’s exact model number to confirm whether it can be upgraded. A memory total shown in Windows, macOS, or Linux does not tell you the computer’s maximum capacity or whether its RAM is soldered in place.
Check how much RAM is installed
These checks show the memory reported by the operating system. The reported total can differ slightly from the marketed capacity because of reporting units or memory reserved for system use.
Windows 11 and Windows 10
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select Performance, then Memory.
- Read the total memory and any displayed slot information.
For another view, open System Information and look for Installed Physical Memory. On supported ASUS systems, MyASUS may also show system information. Task Manager’s “slots used” figure is an indicator, not proof that a slot is physically available or usable.
macOS
Choose Apple menu > About This Mac to see the installed or recognized memory. This reports what the Mac has; the model’s service information determines whether it can be changed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Requires overclocking/BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depends on system components, including motherboard and CPU.
- G.SKILL Flare X5 Series DDR5 U-DIMM Memory Kit, Model: F5-6000J3636F16GX2-FX5
- Non-ECC, DDR5 U-DIMM, 288-pin, for Desktop PC & Gaming
- Includes JEDEC default profile, and AMD EXPO & Intel XMP 3.0 memory overclock profile
- Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.
Linux
Open a terminal and run:
cat /proc/meminfo
Read the MemTotal value. It is an operating-system report, not a service manual. Firmware utilities such as dmidecode may provide additional device details on some systems, but a reported slot count does not establish that a physical slot is usable.
Find your computer’s exact model
Upgradeability depends on the precise model and sometimes its configuration, not just a product-family name such as a laptop series. Record the complete model name and product or model number from System Information, the computer’s label, or the manufacturer’s utility. ASUS notes that the name on a box may be a marketing name rather than the complete model name.
Rank #2
- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
- AMD EXPO & Intel XMP 3.0 Compatible Only: Dual memory profiles allow you to easily select optimized settings for your platform, whether you’re running an AMD or Intel processor
- Dynamic RGB Lighting: Individually addressable RGB lighting delivers vibrant effects through a sleek, understated panoramic diffuser
- Onboard Voltage Regulation: Onboard voltage regulation for reliable power at high frequencies
- Maximum Bandwidth and Tight Response Times: Optimized for peak performance on the latest AMD and Intel DDR5 motherboards
Verify whether the RAM can be upgraded
- Search the manufacturer’s official support site for the exact model or product number.
- Open its technical specifications and user, maintenance, or service guide. ASUS directs users to the model page’s Tech Specs; HP points readers to its Maintenance and Service Guide or Upgrading and Servicing Guide.
- Look for terms such as soldered, onboard, integrated, removable, or service-provider-upgradeable. Some designs combine fixed memory with a replaceable slot.
- Check the maximum supported total and per-slot capacity, memory type and generation, form factor, available slots, and any limits on module combinations or slot population.
- Compare those requirements with the installed configuration. If the official documentation leaves the question unresolved, ask the manufacturer or an authorized repair provider rather than inferring compatibility from a generic scanner.
For example, ASUS documents a configuration with 8 GB of onboard memory that cannot be replaced and a SO-DIMM slot that can be expanded by up to 8 GB, for 16 GB total in that example. It is a model-specific example, not a general limit or rule.
What the upgradeability terms mean
- Soldered or onboard: The memory is attached to the system board and is not a removable module for a user upgrade.
- Integrated: Memory is part of a larger chip or package and cannot be upgraded as a separate module. Apple says memory in 24-inch iMac models released in 2021 or later is integrated into the Apple M-series package and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
- Removable or SO-DIMM/DIMM: The documentation identifies a module-based design, but you still need to verify supported type, capacity, slot availability, and service procedure.
- Hybrid: Some memory may be fixed while a separate slot accepts a replaceable module. Confirm the limits for both portions in the exact model’s specifications.
- Service-provider-upgradeable: A module may be replaceable, but the manufacturer’s documentation may require authorized service rather than user installation.
Choose a compatible module only after checking the specifications
Once documentation confirms a replaceable slot, match the computer’s supported memory type and generation, form factor, capacity limits, speed, and slot configuration. Laptop SO-DIMMs and desktop DIMMs are different form factors; do not buy based on capacity alone. Check whether a slot is actually available and whether modules must be installed in particular combinations.
Rank #3
- Capacity: 16GB(2 x 8GB)
- Tested Frequency Profile 1: PC5-48000 (6000MT/s)
- Tested Timings: 36-46-46-110
- Feature Overclock: XMP 3.0 & EXPO overclocking supported
- On-Die ECC
Follow the model’s installation and service guidance. Procedures and tools vary by computer. For instance, Apple’s instructions for iMac models with a RAM access door call for a Phillips screwdriver; that does not make the procedure suitable for other iMacs or other computers. Apple distinguishes those models from iMacs whose memory users cannot remove. Do not generalize one model’s instructions to another generation.
When a computer’s official specifications do not establish that a slot is replaceable or support a particular configuration, pause before purchasing. A software-reported slot count or a memory compatibility result alone is not a substitute for the manufacturer’s model-specific documentation.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
- AMD EXPO & Intel XMP 3.0 Compatible Only: Dual memory profiles allow you to easily select optimized settings for your platform, whether you’re running an AMD or Intel processor
- Onboard Voltage Regulation: Enables easier, more finely-tuned, and more stable overclocking through CORSAIR iCUE software than previous generation motherboard control
- Maximum Bandwidth and Tight Response Times: Optimized for peak performance on the latest AMD and Intel DDR5 motherboards
- Hand-Sorted, Tightly-Screened Memory Chips: Ensure consistent high-frequency performance with aggressive timing options
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
