How to check the compatibility of the motherboard and RAM: some simple ways

Probably every user of moderncomputer, trying to upgrade it in order to improve performance by installing additional memory slots, knows, or at least guesses that only by purchasing a new module and inserting it into the corresponding slot on the motherboard is not limited to. If you do not take into account some of the basic parameters and do not comply with the required conditions, then there may be conflicts. Therefore, initially it is necessary to check the compatibility of RAM and motherboard. You can do this in several ways, which will be considered further.

Why do I need to check the compatibility of the motherboard and RAM?

Earlier, even at the dawn of the development of computer technology, when basically only the DDR SDRAM standard was produced, there were no problems with their installation. Here the question was only in volume.

With the advent of new standards, verificationcompatibility of RAM with the motherboard has become more relevant, because not all manufacturers have time to re-qualify for new types of RAM. Today, the situation repeats to the contrary: motherboard manufacturers refuse to support old modifications of RAM, excluding their support. With obsolete mother chips the situation is similar.

This can be explained with an example. Suppose that the motherboard supports the work of the DDR3 memory slots with a frequency of 1333 MHz, the user bought and inserted in the slot the DDR3 bar, but operating at 1600 MHz. What does he get as a result? Yes, the bar will work. But! At the frequency of the mother chip, not the one for which it was originally designed. At the same time, stable operation is not guaranteed absolutely. And if the bandwidth of the bar is incommensurable with that of the CPU, expect trouble.

What parameters should I consider when replacing the RAM slots

As for the main parameters that should be taken into account when installing new or additional RAM modules, among the main ones are the following:

• type of memory and generation;
• operating frequency;
• the amount of memory for each individual bar;
• timings;
• working voltage;
• manufacturer;
• type of computer device (stationary PC or laptop).

How can I tell if the motherboard and RAM are compatible with the simplest method?

Now directly about the check. Everyone knows that when purchasing a computer device, the corresponding technical documentation is delivered to it (unless it was purchased from the hands).

Thus, the compatibility of the motherboard andRAM is elementary checked in the passport of the mother chip. As a rule, all manufacturers indicate the necessary technical parameters and a list of supported devices or manufacturers. But what if there is no such documentation available to the user? In this case, you will have to turn to the Internet.

Where can I find the parameters of the chipset?

But first you need to learn some basiccharacteristics of the "motherboard" itself or even know the model number. There are no problems with stationary PCs. You can simply remove the side cover and look at the specified modification.

For laptops, this option is less convenient, soyou can use the "Run" console, register the msinfo32 command in it, and then view the main characteristics of each component, including the main chipset.

But in the information about the system this information canand not displayed. In such a situation, you can check the compatibility of the motherboard and RAM on the manufacturer's website. For laptops, this is generally an ideal option.

For example, compatibility of RAM andmotherboard ASUS can be found directly on the official resource. When entering the site, you just need to enter the model number of the laptop, then go to the main chip section and use the characteristics or support tabs.

The first option is for so-calledadvanced users, where in the RAM section all the main parameters of the supported modules will be displayed. The second tab contains a link to download the main list. By downloading it, you can see which requirements are imposed on the RAM slots, and which manufacturers are on the officially supported list.

Using the AIDA64 program

In principle, to not go far, you can use and universal utilities to verify the configuration of the computer system, one of which is the most powerful program AIDA64.

The first step is to check compatibilitymotherboard and RAM for the maximum amount of RAM. To do this, use the main section "Motherboard", find in it the line "Chipset" or through the menu "Properties of the north bridge" to view the item "Maximum memory".

But this is only general information. More detailed parameters are presented in the SPD section. And here already there are all the main characteristics that must be taken into account when choosing new RAM slats (the list given above). Based on these data, it will be possible to select exactly what is best for the motherboard chipset.

Conclusion

Summing up the summary, it remains to add thatcompatibility of the motherboard and RAM with the purchase of additional memory modules, or when replacing old slats with new ones, it is necessary to produce without fail, otherwise conflicts that can lead to a complete failure of the computer or laptop can not be avoided. In terms of methods used, you can advise either to contact the hardware manufacturer's site, or use the AIDA64 application or something like that. Only after that, even on the Internet it will be possible to select the required RAM slats.