How to Check RAM DDR Type on Windows (5 Effective Ways)

Have you lately installed a new RAM stick in your computer? If this is the case, you should double-check the DDR type to confirm that the seller did not deceive you.

Most consumers have the impression that the more RAM storage you have, the better. Although the quantity of your primary memory is important when adding RAM, you should always use the correct DDR type to enhance your performance.

Furthermore, confirming the DDR type is one of the most important things to perform after installing new RAM to ensure that the seated DDR RAM is operating properly. In this regard, this article will provide you with all you need to know about DDR, its many forms, and different techniques to test on Windows.

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DDR SDRAM stands for Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, and it is a form of memory that can transmit data twice as fast as an SDRAM. DDR is essentially an improved form of SDR (Single Data Rate), in which data is sent in a single clock cycle.

Let us use the preceding graphic as an example to better grasp this. To begin, SDR just monitors the rising edge of the signal, implying that data transmission occurs only once every clock cycle. DDR, on the other hand, uses both the falling and rising edges in the same clock cycle, double the transfer rate.

Furthermore, understanding what RAM is compatible with your motherboard is critical. This is due to backward incompatibility, which prevents you from using a lower version DDR, such as DDR3, in a DDR4 or DDR5 RAM slot.

How to Check RAM DDR Type on Windows

Using Task Manager

Windows Task Manager is an efficient tool to check the type, utilization, speed, and many other parameters of your memory. As a result, with this program, you can quickly determine the DDR type.

However, it is crucial to remember that the Task Manager will not display the type for DDR4 and DDR5. So, using the following approach, you may determine whether you have DDR3 or lower version RAM:

To open Task Manager immediately, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

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Switch to the Performance tab and then to Memory.
The DDR type is listed alongside the total memory in this case.

If you have a DDR4 or DRR5, however, you will just see the RAM amount.

RAM DDR is not seen in task manager.

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You may track the RAM speed and validate whether you have DDR4 or DDR5 by doing the following:

With the Task Manager launched, move to Performance > Memory.
Here, check for Speed.

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Basically, if the frequency ranges from 2133 MHz to 3200 MHz, your RAM should be DDR4. However, if you have overclocked it, this can go higher. Similarly, if the speed surpasses 4800 MHz, you may be sure your RAM is DDR5.

On Command Prompt

Before proceeding to the crucial step of determining DDR type, it is critical that you grasp the various MemoryType codes, also known as CIM values. The table below will assist you in determining the RAM DDR type based on the values:

DDR Type	Code/Value
Unknown	0
Other	1
DDR	20
DDR2	21
DDR2 FB-DIMM	22
DDR3	24
DDR4	26

Now that you have the data, you can simply discover the RAM DDR type using Command Prompt:

To begin, hit Windows + R and type cmd to open Command Prompt.

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Copy and paste the following command line into the prompt:

SMBIOSMemoryType is assigned to wmic memorychip.

When you press enter, you’ll obtain one of the numbers shown above. For example, if you have DDR4, the SMBIOSMemoryType column should show the number 26.

On Windows Powershell

If you prefer Powershell to CMD, the good news is that determining RAM DDR type is quite simple here. Although you may use the same command, we’ve added another in this section that should also function fine:

Select Windows Terminal or Windows Terminal (Admin) from the list by pressing Windows + X.
Run the following command after the PowerShell window has been launched:

Format-Table SMBIOSMemoryType | Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32 PhysicalMemory

Compare the numerical value on the speed chart to determine your DDR type. If you obtain the result 26, for example, you know you’re using DDR4.

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Using a System Profiler

If you do not want to utilize any of the aforementioned approaches and want to know the specific facts about your RAM DDR type, we propose utilizing a third-party tool. Some of the most popular programs include CPU-Z, Piriform Speccy, Memtest86, and others.

Indeed, verifying the DDR type on each system profiler is pretty similar. You may also monitor additional memory information, such as maximum RAM capacity, channel, Uncore Frequency, and so on.

As a result, you may check RAM DDR type by following the methods listed below for CPU-Z:

To begin, obtain the software from the CPUID download page.
Once the installation is complete, run the program and navigate to the Memory tab.
Under General, you’ll see the Type field, which clearly specifies your DDR type.

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Check Physically in RAM Stick

If you have a new RAM stick and want to rapidly verify the DDR type, you do not need to restart your system. Alternatively, regardless of your operating system, you may browse directly to the RAM stick label.

For example, if you have DDR4, it is plainly stated just below the RAM serial number. The number below should put your mind at ease.

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Different Generations of DDR

Although DDR or DDR1 RAM was already far superior to SDRAM, the computer industry’s rising need for improved versions in terms of speed, performance, and reliability. As a result, various versions, DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5, were released.

Among these variants, it’s easy to see that DDR5 is the most sophisticated. They differ in terms of transmission speed, supply voltage, clock speed, channel bandwidth, memory limit, and many other factors.

You can read the table below to have a better sense of the different generations of DDR:

Factors	DDR1	DDR2	DDR3	DDR4	DDR5
Introduced in	2000	2003	2007	2014	2020
Transfer Speed (GT/s)	0.20 – 0.40	0.40 – 1.06	0.8 – 1.866	1.866 – 3.2	3.2 – 6.0
Supply Voltage (V)	2.5	1.8	1.5	1.2	1.1
Clock Speed (MHz)	100 – 200	200 – 533	800 – 2133	2133 and higher	4800 and higher
Channel Bandwidth (GBps)	1.60 – 3.20	3.20 – 8.50	8.50 – 14.9	17 – 25.6	25.6 – 32
Memory Limit (GB)	2	8	16	64	512

Most PCs nowadays include DDR4 memory. Nonetheless, if you have an older CPU, you will almost certainly discover DDR3. However, previous generations (DDR and DDR2) are very scarce. Thus, by selecting the correct DDR type for your motherboard, you may update your RAM for higher performance.

With the recent launch of DDR5, we may assume that it will quickly replace DDR5. Building a PC with this DDR type is now somewhat pricey. Furthermore, Samsung is already working with DDR6, and we will soon see considerably faster RAM with incredible performance.