The and memory determine the overall speed and performance of your computer

This article describes how system memory (Random Access Memory - RAM) affects computer performance.

Inhaltsverzeichnis Show

Understanding RAM
Operating System Limitations
Upgrading RAM
macOS users
Linux users
Documentation

Overview

Your computer's system memory is made up of physical memory, called Random Access Memory (RAM), and virtual memory. System memory is not permanent storage, like a hard disk drive that saves its contents when you turn off your computer.

When you start a program, your processor gives a command to retrieve the program from the hard drive. Once the files are retrieved, the computer needs a workspace to manipulate the data and allow you to interact with it. This digital countertop is your RAM. Your computer places your programs in RAM, or the digital countertop, temporarily while you are working with them so that the processor can access that information faster and more easily.

Understanding RAM

Generally, the more RAM your computer has, the larger the digital countertop you have to work on and the faster your programs will run. If your computer is running slowly due to a lack of RAM, you might be tempted to increase virtual memory because it is less expensive. However, adding RAM is a better solution because your processor can read data from RAM faster than from a hard drive.

RAM has two main attributes that affect your computer's performance: memory capacity and memory speed.

Operating System Limitations

Today, most computers are equipped with a 64-bit operating system. Some computers have older designs and use a 32-bit (X86) operating system. Before you upgrade your RAM, ensure that your operating system will support the new amount of memory. Microsoft has an excellent listing in the hyperlink below listing Windows versions and the amount of RAM supported: Memory Limits for Windows and Windows Server Releases

Memory capacity: The more GB your memory module has, the more programs you can have open at once.

2-4 GB: This was the standard RAM capacity and shipped with computers running Windows Vista or XP. This amount of memory could handle single applications. If your computer has less than 4 GB of RAM, adding more RAM would greatly improve its performance.
4-6 GB: This standard RAM capacity will handle an average user's tasks, such as web browsing, working in Word documents, and emailing, with ease.

6-8 GB: This larger RAM capacity works great for casual gamers and basic multimedia users. It can handle multiple programs open at one time and new technology so that users do not have to upgrade when their needs change.

8+ GB: This robust RAM capacity is perfect for hardcore gamers and high-end multimedia users and creators. These users want to try the newest technology on the market without upgrading their RAM.

Memory Speed: The amount of time that it takes RAM to receive a request from the processor and then read or write data. Generally, the faster the RAM, the faster the processing speed.

With faster RAM, you increase the speed at which memory transfers information to other components. Meaning, your fast processor now has an equally fast way of talking to the other components, making your computer much more efficient.

RAM speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz), millions of cycles per second so that it can be compared to your processor's clock speed. For Dell desktops and laptops, memory speed can range from the standard 1333 MHz all the way up to speeds of 2133 MHz. The speed of your processor and the bus speed of the computer motherboard are the limiting factors on the speed of RAM installed in your computer. RAM upgrades are limited by the capability of the computer and the availability of expansion slots for adding RAM. Often, upgrading RAM may involve replacing existing RAM modules with larger modules that are again limited by the capability of the computer.

Many tablets, and some entry-level laptop do not have upgradable RAM. Look up your computer at the Dell Support Website and check the specifications of the computer before purchasing expansion RAM memory.

Upgrading RAM

If you are considering upgrading your RAM to improve your computer's performance, first determine the amount of RAM your computer has and whether the processor uses a 32-bit (X86) or 64-bit register.

Windows 10

Right-click the Start Menu and select System.
In the System section, next to Installed memory (RAM), you can view the amount of RAM your computer has.
In the System section, under System type, you can view the register that your computer uses.

Windows 8

On the Start screen, click the Desktop app to go to the desktop.
Pause your mouse pointer in the bottom-left corner of the desktop and right-click to open the options list.
On the options list, click System.
In the System section, next to Installed memory (RAM), you can view the amount of RAM your computer has.
In the System section, under System type, you can view the register that your computer uses.

Windows 7

Open the System menu by clicking the Start button, right-clicking Computer, and then clicking Properties on the options list.
In the System section, next to Installed memory (RAM), you can view the amount of RAM your computer has.
In the System section, under System type, you can view the register that your computer uses.

Remember, it is important to plan how you would like to use your Dell computer both now and in the future. When you are ready to upgrade, choose Dell Certified Memory for easy installation and to ensure that the memory module is compatible with your computer.

Updated: 03/13/2021 by Computer Hope

There are multiple ways to determine the manufacturer and speed of a computer processor. The following sections contain details on various methods.

Note

Before following any of the steps below, it is important to realize that a processor's settings can be adjusted or overclocked. In other words, software settings can be altered to show a speed higher than the processor's native speed.

Windows users
macOS users
Linux users
Documentation
At boot
CMOS
Software

If you are running Microsoft Windows, you can determine the processor brand, model or type, and speed by pressing the Windows key and Pause at the same time. Doing so opens a System window similar to one of the examples below.

Windows 10 System Properties.

Windows 8 System Properties.

Windows 7 System Properties.

In the System properties window, the manufacturer of the processor (e.g., Intel or AMD), the model of the processor (e.g., Core 2), and the speed (e.g., 1.86 GHz) are displayed. For newer versions of Windows, it also displays the System type, like "64-bit Operating System, on x64-based processor" in the Windows 8 example.

The Windows 8 computer has an "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40 GHz 3.40 GHz." Intel is the processor brand, Core i7-2600 is the processor model, and 3.40 GHz is the processor speed.

macOS users

If you are running macOS, you can determine the processor type and speed by following the steps below.

In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu.
In the Apple menu, select About this Mac.

The system information window opens. Under Overview, you can see your processor type and speed.

Linux users

In a Linux OS, you can use one of the following commands to view information about the processor in the computer.

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo$ less /proc/cpuinfo
$ more /proc/cpuinfo

Documentation

If you purchased the computer from an OEM, like Dell or HP, the manufacturer should include documentation that lists the system specifications of the computer. If you don't have said documentation, you can find it online after entering the model or Service Tag of the computer.

At boot

Some older computers show the computer processor type and speed as the computer boots. For example, as the computer boots, you may see text displayed on the screen similar to the following.

Intel Pentium(TM) III 1000 MHz

The example above indicates the computer has an Intel processor running at 1 GHz, or 1000 MHz.

Note

Unfortunately, the boot process is often very fast. You may have little or no time to read all the information on the screen during one boot. Also, many motherboard and computer manufacturers have a BIOS splash screen that shows the company or motherboard logo as the computer boots instead. However, you may press the Esc to display the text behind the logo. Additionally, you can press the Pause to pause the boot process, allowing you to read all the information.

CMOS

If the computer has no documentation and does not indicate the processor speed at boot, check CMOS setup for the processor speed in the Main or Advanced settings menu.

How to enter and exit the BIOS or CMOS setup.

Software

There many software utilities designed to detect a computer's processor and display its specifications. See the third-party tools in the link below for a list of the most popular programs.