RAM Compatibility Checker
Check your RAM works with your motherboard. Verifies DDR4 or DDR5, rated speed, capacity per slot and in total, so you avoid a costly mistake.
Getting memory right
Memory compatibility comes down to four things: the right generation for your board, enough slots, a capacity within the board's limit, and — the one most people miss — actually enabling the advertised speed once it is installed.
Two modules, always
Modern platforms run memory in dual channel, which doubles bandwidth. A single 32 GB stick performs measurably worse than two 16 GB sticks — commonly 10–20% of frame rate in games. If you take one thing from this page, it is that a matched pair beats a single module of the same total capacity, every time.
Enable EXPO or XMP
Memory sold as 6000 MT/s does not run at 6000 MT/s out of the box. Without enabling EXPO (AMD) or XMP (Intel) in the BIOS it defaults to a JEDEC speed of 4800 MT/s or lower. An enormous number of systems run slow memory for years because nobody flipped that switch.
Four sticks are harder than two
Populating all four slots loads the memory controller far more heavily, especially on DDR5. A kit rated at 6400 MT/s as a pair may only manage 5200 as a set of four. If you want 64 GB, two 32 GB modules will almost always be faster and more stable than four 16 GB ones.
Slot placement matters
With two modules in a four-slot board, use the second and fourth slots counting from the processor. The wrong pair either runs in single channel or fails to train at the rated speed. The manual is definitive; it is usually labelled A2 and B2.
Speed versus capacity
Once you have enough capacity, extra gigabytes do nothing for frame rate. Faster memory, however, genuinely helps CPU-limited scenarios — particularly on Ryzen. 32 GB at 6000 MT/s beats 64 GB at 4800 for gaming. Check whether memory speed is worth chasing on your system with the Bottleneck Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is 16GB still enough in 2026?
It is the practical minimum. Several recent titles use more than 16 GB with a browser open in the background, and 32 GB is now the sensible target for a new build.
Can I mix different RAM kits?
Sometimes it works, often it does not. Modules from different kits are not tested together, so the system may refuse to run at the rated speed or fail to boot. Buy the capacity you want as a single matched kit.
Does RAM speed matter for gaming?
Yes, more than most people expect - particularly on Ryzen, where the memory controller and cache interact closely. Moving from 4800 to 6000 MT/s can add several percent in CPU-limited titles, and helps 1% lows more than averages.
Why does my RAM run slower than advertised?
EXPO or XMP is not enabled. Memory defaults to a conservative JEDEC speed until you turn on the rated profile in the BIOS. This is the single most common memory mistake.
Should I buy 2 or 4 sticks?
Two. It is easier on the memory controller, runs at higher speeds, and leaves room to add more later. Four modules commonly force a speed reduction, especially on DDR5.