How to find about RAM in your laptop. Everything you should know

So after installing Windows 10 in my newly bought HP Pavilion laptop I was keen on finding out the specs of the laptop. Everything except RAM information I could able to find. (In windows system information it only shows Installed memory: 4GB).


I installed CPU-Z software and it could access RAM details.

Or go to command line and type wmic memorychip list full
It will list down important information like below.

• Capacity=4294967296
• Manufacturer=Micron
• PartNumber=8KTF51264HZ-1G6N1
• DeviceLocator=Bottom-Slot 1(left)
• SerialNumber=16760011
• Speed=1600

If you want to expand memory you should find laptop mainboard details before doing that. Some mainboard chipsets don't support dual channel memory architecture.

Difference between single channel and dual channel:

• single channel: only one memory card is installed in one memory card slot.
• dual channel: in order this to work chipset should support dual channeling. It will have 2 identical memory cards in 2 memory card slots.

Difference between single rank memory and dual rank memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBacS4x-Wjo

Take a look at below 4GB modules.

1. Micron memory stick

Part -MT8KTF51264HZ-1G6
Technology -DDR3 SDRAM
Density -4GB
Depth -512Mb
Width -x64
Pin Count -204-pin
Data Rate -1600 MT/s
Speed -PC3-12800
CAS Latency -11
Voltage -1.35V
Comp Config -512 Meg x 8
Module Rank -Single Rank

2. Kingston memory stick

4GB Module - DDR3L 1600MHz
Part Number: KTH-X3CL/4G
Specs: DDR3L, 1600MHz, Non-ECC, CL11, 1R, X8, 1.35V, Unbuffered, SODIMM, 204-pin

Even they are from 2 manufacturers they can be used in dual channels. That is because they are both DDR3 and they have the same frequency.

DDR3 vs DDR3L:

DDR3L is a dual voltage capable memory SoDIMM, which supports operation at both 1.5V and 1.35V. DDR3L is also pin-compatible with DDR3. DDR3 is a single voltage capable memory SoDIMM, which supports 1.5V operation only.
DDR stands for Double Data Rate(For example above 4GB modules run in 800MHz frequency but their Data rate is 1600MHz)