Most people we talk to wish to know the maximum upgrade their system can handle. There are several ways that you can discover this:
- Correctly identify your system brand and model or motherboard and then look up the maximum upgrade here on the ramcity.com.au website (recommended)
- Consult your user manual (note, your user manual may be out of date)
- Consult your system or motherboard manufacturers website
How to use the ramcity.com.au website to work out the maximum RAM upgrade
Step 1: Identify your System or Motherboard
You can look up your system or motherboard model using the RamCity Upgrade Finder™ on our home page. If you are not sure which system or motherboard you have, then our guide to identifying your system or motherboard will help you.
Step 2: Note the maximum upgrade shown on our website
We list upgrade information for over 60,000 computer models on our website. The maximum upgrade is shown on the right hand side of every system page. In the example shown below, the maximum RAM capacity is 8GB.
Step 3: Note the expansion capacity
In the example shown above, the expansion details is '1 Socket', meaning there is one available socket for memory modules to be installed in. This means the maximum capacity of 8GB is achieved using 1x8GB modules, and would require removing the existing memory module. If the expansion details said '2 Sockets', this would indicate that the maximum RAM upgrade is achieved with 2x4GB memory modules.
Are you running the 32-bit or 64-bit version?
All 32-bit versions of Microsoft Windows® will recognise a maximum of 3.5GB of RAM, and sometimes as little as 3GB, even if your system hardware is capable of handling more RAM. The 64-bit versions of Windows, however, have much higher RAM capacities which go beyond the maximum hardware limits of most systems. Follow the steps below to see which version you have:
If your computer is running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003:
- Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
- If "x64 Edition" is listed under System on the General Tab, you’re running the 64-bit version
- If you don’t see "x64 Edition" listed under System, you’re running the 32-bit version
The edition of Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 you're running is displayed under System near the top of the General Tab window.
If your Computer is running Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows Server 2008/2012
- Click the Start button
, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. - If "64-bit Operating System" is listed next to System type, you’re running the 64-bit version
- If "32-bit Operating System" is listed next to System type, you’re running the 32-bit version
, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.The edition of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows Server 2008/2012 you're running is displayed under Windows edition near the top of the window.
To learn more about upgrading your Windows version, see our guide: Upgrading to 64-bit Windows.