4/7/2022

How To Find How Many Ram Slots Are Used

70

The total amount of memory, or RAM, a computer can have is dependent on the motherboard installed in the computer and the operating system.In general, most motherboards will support either two or four memory modules, but the type and amount of memory can differ widely from one motherboard to the next. I own an Acer V571g laptop and I'd like to do a RAM update from 4gb to 8gb. Before I buy brand new 2x4gb ram, I'd like to make sure that my laptop has 2x2gb or 1x4gb ram slots. I mean, if both slots are used or if there's only 1 used.

When a user wants to add or upgrade memory (RAM) in a computer, they need to know how many memory slots are available. The following section helps you to determine the number of memory slots in your computer, and how many are used.

Windows Task Manager

How To Find How Many Ram Slots Are Used Without

The easiest solution for Windows users is to open the Windows Task Manager.

  1. Press the Windows key, type Task Manager, and then press Enter.
  2. In the window that appears, click the Performance tab (A), then select Memory (B).
  3. In the lower-right corner, the number of slots is displayed in the Slots used: section (C).
  1. As you can see, this computer has a total of four memory slots, although only two are currently being utilized.

Use the CPU-Z utility

Another way to get information about memory slots and details about the RAM currently installed on your computer, is to use the free CPU-Z third-party utility.

  1. Open an Internet browser and visit the CPUID website.
  2. On the left side of the screen, select your operating system.
  1. On the next page, select your preferred language.
How
  1. On the next screen, click the DOWNLOAD NOW! button.
Find
  1. Once the download has finished, install it from your browser and open the program.
  1. Click the SPD tab at the top of the screen, and then click the down arrow in the Memory Slot Selection section.
Many
  1. As you can see in the image above, all of the memory slots are listed on the drop-down menu.
Tip

If you select a different slot from the drop-down menu, CPU-Z will tell you additional information about the RAM that is installed.

Examine the motherboard

How To Find How Many Ram Slots Are Used Per

Sometimes the best way to determine the available memory slots is to open the computer and examine the motherboard. Opening the computer is the best option if were unable to get the Windows Task Manager or CPU-Z to work.

How To Find How Many Ram Slots Are Used To

Looking inside the case, the motherboard is the primary large circuit board. On most motherboards, the memory slots are on either side of the CPU, and resemble what is shown below.

How To Find Out How Many Ram Slots Are Used Windows 7

Most computer motherboards have two, three, or four memory slots. Some higher-end motherboards have as many as eight. The above motherboard picture above has no memory modules installed in any of its three slots.

Note

If your computer has no memory slots available and you want to upgrade, you must remove and replace some of the existing memory.

Additional information

  • See our memory definition for further information and related links.