Also, there are two main types of RAM. DRAM (Dynamic random access memory)SRAM (Static random access memory)
Why You Need To Know RAM Speed
It’s been years now that PC enthusiasts have got more and more obsessed with getting the fastest available hardware for their Shiny new pc builds. When it comes to buying RAM, you will see a large number followed by Megahertz (MHz). As you all already know that the MHz represents the speed of the RAM or the memory that you are looking to purchase for your shiny new builds. Faster ram allows the processor of your PC to access the stored in the hard drive much quicker if you have a good amount of RAM in your PC. RAM gives your system a boost in processor performance. More Reading: How To Choose A Motherboard
How Fast Is Your RAM?
RAM, the random access memory, affects the pc performance for sure if your PC does not have a fair amount of ram in it. The RAM boosts the speed of your processor to access the data in your hard drive; if its a new generation RAM like DDR4 or DDR5, then it’s undoubtedly faster than the DDR3 or DDR2. When it comes to the performance of your PC, the RAM also plays an essential role in it. You should always go for a new generation RAM considering your PC configuration and always have a look at the MHz that is written on the RAM, which shows the amount of the memory the ram has that you are going to purchase.
How Is Your Ram Speed Measured
The speed of Random access memory is a very tricky subject, and one that comes down to various factors. To measure the real speed of the RAM, we don’t just consider the MHz, but the CAS latency and the clock speed should be in consideration too. The CAS latency and the clock speed or frequency helps you to know more about the RAM speed or shows how fast the RAM is that you are planning to purchase or already have.
CAS Latency (CL) – Memory Timings
CAS stands for Column Access strobe (CAS) Latency or CL. The CAS is the delay time of your RAM receiving a command and then being able to process it. The numbers of the timings it will take will look something like this (15-17-17-35). These numbers show how many clock cycles it takes for the Random access memory to respond or process the command. The MHz speed does not consider in front of the CAS timings. The slower MHz rams with faster CAS timings can be better than the ones that have more MHz speed but slower CAS timings.
Frequency (MHz)
RAM frequency works off of clock cycles. People usually think that the frequency (MHz) is the real speed of the RAM, and it is the only thing that matters, but however its just a part of the speed equation. Each read and writes command is done on the cycle. The speed of the RAM is measured by how many cycles per second it can perform. For example, the 3200MHz ram performs 3.2 billion cycles per second.
How To Check RAM Speed
Upgrading or adding memory in your desktop or laptop is a great way to increase the processor performance, but before you buy any ram, it is essential to know the right type of memory by considering the configuration of your desktop or laptop. You can easily check the sticker that is present on the RAM before purchasing it. There is an amount of memory written in MHz that indicates the speed of the RAM.
1. How To Find Your RAM Frequency
There are several different ways to find your RAM frequency in your desktops, such as via control panel, command prompt, task manager, and windows system information panel; all of these methods are mentioned down below. More Reading: What is Mouse Acceleration? How to turn it off easily!
1.1 Using The Control Panel
You need to open up the control panel and click on system and security, and there should be a subheading, which is called view amount of RAM and processor speed. However, it does not tells you the exact speed or amount of memory that is installed, so you might be needing a third party application that will surely help you know more about the memory and speed that is installed in your system.
1.2 Using Command Prompt In Windows
Open up the command (cmd) prompt on your windows. You can also open it by pressing the Ctrl + X key, and from the menu, select command prompt. You can also open up the command prompt using run. Just press the Win + R keys together and type cmd in the box that shows up. Now there are two commands that show you the information about system storage and memory. The first command is “wmic MEMORYCHIP get Banklabel, Capacity, DeviceLocator, Memorytype, TypeDetail, Speed.” you can type it or copy-paste it into the cmd. It will show you the details of the RAM with the speed or frequency. The second command is “wmic memorychip list full” type or copy-pastes it into the command prompt to get all the information about ram and storage.
1.3 Using Task Manager
You can open up the taskbar with two methods one is by right-clicking on the taskbar and click task manager or by pressing the Ctrl + X key together and select task manager. The task manager window will immediately pop on your system screen, and to find the ram speed, head over to the performance tab that is present on the top of the task manager. You can see the amount of storage in it under the memory section.
1.4 Using Microsoft System Information
Press the Win + R key together to open run as soon as the window pops, type msinfo32 in the search box, and click Ok. When the system information opens, click on the system summary on the left side and look at the INSTALLED PHYSICAL MEMORY (RAM) you have on the right side to find out the information about the memory or storage.
1.5 Using MAC
It is a much simpler process than checking the information on the desktop; you just need to click on the Apple logo and go to about this mac, and after that, the window will pop up showing Mac’s processor name and the speed and also the memory size, type, and speed.
1.6 Using This PC Properties Method
Right-click on this pc or my computer and click on the properties and have a look at the INSTALLED MEMORY (RAM). Open settings and click on the System icon. Tap on About on the left side and have a look at how much INSTALLED RAM you have on the right side.
1.7 Using Motherboard BIOS
If your computer has a latest or newer gaming motherboard, then the BIOS most likely to have any information about the essential components of the system, such as CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage devices, etc. To find out the information, you need to restart your computer and press F2 to load up the bios, or you can open up bios by pressing F12 to its dependent upon your system. Once you reach bios, simply scroll down and navigate to the RAM or memory section to find out the clock speed and other information.
1.8 How To Find Your RAM Frequency Using Windows PowerShell
To find out the complete information about the memory that you have currently installed and the information about the RAM manufacturer can only be found via Windows Powershell. The basic windows memory check methods do not show up the information about manufacturers or the speed and the serial number. You need to run the Windows Powershell and type the following cmd in it. Get-WmiObject win32_physicalmemory | Format-Table Manufacturer, Banklabel, Configuredclockspeed, Devicelocator, Capacity, Serialnumber -autosize You can also try the following cmd in the powershell. Get-CimInstance win32_physicalmemory | Format-Table Manufacturer, Banklabel, Configuredclockspeed, Devicelocator, Capacity, Serialnumber -autosize
2. How To Find Your RAM CAS Latency
As you all know, when it comes to ram speed, the CAS latency or clock speed also plays a vital role in it. The more the CAS latency, the more your ram works faster and boosts the performance of your system. There are two ways to find your RAM CAS Latency.
2.1 How To Find RAM CAS Latency On Windows Using CPU-Z
CPU-Z is a great application to know about your computer; it reveals a lot of memory and storage information about your system and let you know about almost everything important. First of all, you need to download the CPU-Z application from Cpuid. Once you download it, just open the application, head over to the performance tab, and have a look at the CAS# Latency (CL).
2.2 Know CAS Latency (CL) Via Piriform Speccy
Piriform speccy is also a great application to know more about your system. It also reveals tons of information and let you know more about your computer. First of all, you need to get Piriform speccy. Once you download it, just open the application and head over to the RAM section and have a look at the CAS# Latency (CL).
Why Is RAM Speed So Important?
As you already know, the RAM boosts the PC performance and helps to complete tasks a lot faster, but if you have a good system with the right configuration and processor but a slower RAM, then your PC won’t work smooth. It’s like the processor is a Ferrari, and it has a tiny fuel tank. RAM speed boosts the processor performance, especially when it comes to access the data that is stored in the hard drive. The better amount of RAM you have, the better your PC performance will be.
How To Calculate Your RAM True Speed?
When it comes to the RAM speed, you should consider two of the essential factors of ram speed. The CAS Latency (CL) and the other one is the frequency (MHz). However, the CAS Latency should be considered more because the more clock speeds your RAM has, the faster it’s going to work. The frequency is also an essential part of the speed when it comes to knowing the speed. For example, if your RAM has 1600MHz, then it’s going to transfer 1.6 billion clocks per second. You have to consider both of these critical factors to know your RAM proper speed. These both factors have a relation with the DDR (double data rate) the modern DDR ram you have the more CAS latency and Frequency it will have. If the speed of your RAM, the frequency as we may call it, is excellent, then the performance of our PC will be smooth. In this read, we educate you about why is your RAM speed important, how can you calculate your RAM speed to see if you can make any changes to it to enhance the accomplishment of your device, how to find your RAM CAS latency, and much more.
