Before you start
- A Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC
Method 1 Use Task Manager
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Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
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Step 2: Open Memory
Click Performance (the graph icon) and select Memory.
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Step 3: Read the details
Top right: total installed RAM (e.g. 16.0 GB). Below the graph: Speed (e.g. 3200 MT/s), Slots used (e.g. 2 of 4), Form factor (DIMM for desktops, SODIMM for laptops), and memory in use.
Method 2 Get per-stick details with PowerShell
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Step 1: Open Terminal
Right-click Start and choose Terminal.
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Step 2: Run the command
Paste the command below. Capacity is shown in GB for each module, with its rated and configured speed and manufacturer.
Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object BankLabel, Manufacturer, PartNumber, @{n="GB";e={$_.Capacity/1GB}}, Speed, ConfiguredClockSpeedDDR4 or DDR5?
Task Manager doesn’t always show the generation. Look up the PartNumber from PowerShell online, or use the free CPU-Z tool’s Memory and SPD tabs. As a rule of thumb, speeds above 4800 MT/s are DDR5.
Troubleshooting
Usable RAM is less than installed
Integrated graphics reserve some memory. A large difference can mean a module isn’t seated properly or 32-bit Windows is installed.
The PowerShell command shows nothing
Make sure you’re in PowerShell (Terminal), not Command Prompt. Try running it as administrator.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM do I need?
8 GB for basic use, 16 GB for gaming and multitasking, 32 GB or more for video editing and heavy workloads.
Can I add more RAM?
If you have free slots and your laptop RAM isn’t soldered. Match type (DDR4/DDR5), form factor and ideally speed.
Summary
Open Task Manager > Performance > Memory for size, speed and slots. Use the PowerShell command for per-stick details, and enable XMP/EXPO if your desktop RAM runs below its rated speed.
