W hen you purchase a computer, by default, it only has one RAM inserted and you have an option to expand the laptop's RAM by adding another one on the second slot. This explains why you only have one (1 of 2) RAM showing on the Task Manager.

Recently, I upgraded my laptop’s RAM from 8 GB to 16 GB and if you are on the same page wondering whether it is running in the dual-channel mode. Here is how to check it.

Foremost, check on the manufacturer’s website that your motherboard supports dual-channel memory. Next, it’s pretty straightforward and you require an app called CPU-Z. But before that, we will have to understand what is the dual-channel mode and how to ensure you install a RAM in dual-channel mode. If you are well aware of these concepts, you can move ahead to this portion.

Consider the channels as roads from your RAM to the CPU. When there is a single channel or a single road, the vehicles have to drive in a single line behind each other. Whereas in the case of dual-channel memory, 2 vehicles can drive simultaneously which leads to an increased number of vehicles or more data being sent.

Now, there is an intermediatory unit between the RAM and CPU known as the memory controller which guides the data to and fro.

Previously in the single-channel architecture, there was a single path to send data. So, the memory controller couldn’t route data simultaneously from 2 RAM sticks. This caused the CPU to wait and it is known as the bottleneck effect. Later, we doubled up this wired route which is known as dual-channel architecture (you also have triple and quad-channel, let’s leave it for this article). This enabled the controller to route data simultaneously from 2 RAM sticks to the CPU. Hence, the CPU has enough data to process every time and it doesn’t have to wait. This eliminates the bottleneck between the CPU and RAM.

So switching to dual-channel will let you better utilize your CPU with the only bargain being the increased RAM stick. To show the difference between single-channel and dual-channel, I did a benchmark with a single Crucial 8GB 2400 Mhz RAM and 2 x 4 GB 2400 Mhz RAM sticks. The results show that when in dual-channel mode (ie. 2 x 4 GB sticks), the read-write speeds are about 25-30% higher.

Read: CRU Monitor Overclocking and How Do You Do It?

How to choose RAM for dual-channel mode

To begin with, I am using an Acer E5-575G laptop which uses SODIMM memory sticks. In simple words, DIMM is basically longer memory sticks for desktop motherboards whereas SODIMM is a smaller memory stick for notebooks. Here, I am using a SODIMM memory for my laptop which has 2-memory channels.

Laptops have only 2 memory slots so they are supposed to run in dual channel (if supported on the motherboard). Desktop motherboards, on the other hand, have 4 channels and even 6 to 8 channels, so you need to put the RAM sticks in channels that are similarly color-coded. For instance, in the below figure, the RAM channels are colored black and blue. So, if you insert the RAM sticks in the blue slots or black slots it would run in dual channel mode. In case you insert one of the stick in the black slot and the other one in the blue slot, it won’t run in dual channel mode.

With all the complexities aside, now let’s move down to RAM specs. There is a lot of confusion on RAM specs and what dual-channel requires, let’s discuss those.

Foremost, it’s advisable to buy RAM kits or the same RAM units. The reason being, the RAM needs to have the same Double Data Rate version (DDR), the same frequencies and the capacity to run at full potential. Having said that, there are some misconceptions about the dual-channel mode.

• If you have RAMs with different frequencies it won’t run in dual-channel mode.

Wrong! In case you have a 2400 Mhz RAM and 1800 Mhz RAM, it will run in dual-channel but will fall back to the lower 1800 Mhz frequency.

• Similarly, if you have an 8 GB RAM and a 4 GB RAM stick, it won’t run in dual-channel mode.

Wrong! This is called mismatched memory. However, due to modern-day CPUs, it will still run in dual-channel mode. The first 8 GB will run in dual-channel whereas the rest of the 4 GB will run in the single-channel. To know more about this, read about Intel’s Flex memory mode and flex mode even works on AMD CPU’s. Have a look, at the following screenshot.

However, if you have the budget and resources, it is advised to use a similar specification memory.

How to check dual-channel mode

The easiest way is by using a third-party app called CPU-Z. Download, install and open the app. The first page would provide you a summary of the CPU specifications. Move over to the Memory tab and in the first row you would see a labeled as “Channel #”.

This shows you the memory channel mode. In my case, I have a couple of 8 GB RAM sticks installed on my laptop. So, you can see the channel mode says “Dual”. In case, you have memory sticks running in single-channel mode, it would show up as “Single”

Download CPU-Z

Additionally, you can also check the dual-channel mode through a benchmarking app like MaxxMem. Moreover, some manufacturers like the ASUS or the Acer predator show the memory channel mode in the BIOS menu itself.

For iMac, you can do so using the System Information inbuilt app. Navigate to the Memory tab and you would see memory slots. Count the number of Banks to determine the number of channels. In my case, we have Bank 0 and Bank 1 which means dual channel.

In the case of Linux, you can use the following command

Fore more issues or queries regarding RAM and dual-channel mode, let me know in the comments below.

Also Read: Best GPU Overclocking Software to Boost Graphics Performance

A RAM, also known as Random Access Memory, is an especially important part of any modern computer, tablet, or smartphone. It stores data that an operating system needs to access quickly to properly run itself and all your games, apps, etc. It is hundreds of times faster than regular hard drives or even the fastest SSDs. If RAM malfunctions, your computer will cause you lots of headaches. Often corrupt memory leads to system deadlocks (computer simply “hangs” and stops responding to any user input), blue screens of death (also known as BSOD), apps crashes, and other severe troubles that make any work with a computer virtually impossible.

If you suspect your computer has some problems with RAM, do not rush to the nearby store to get a pair of new sticks. Begin with performing a memory test in Windows 10. To run a memory test in Windows 10, you need a third-party tool or the one built-in directly into Windows. Since the Windows Vista times, the OS from Microsoft can run a built-in Windows memory diagnostic tool and discover troubles with RAM.

How do you know your computer needs to run a Windows memory check? As described above, the most obvious sign of malfunctioning RAM will be the constant blue screen of death. It will show stop codes such as MEMORY MANAGEMENT or something similar related to memory and its operating.

In this article, we will show you how to perform a RAM test in Windows 10 and share with you some tips that will help you learn that your computer needs a new memory kit.

Command To Check Free Slot For Ram In Windows 8.1

How to Run Memory Check in Windows 10?

Running a built-in Windows memory check or diagnosing tool is easy and does not require any advanced knowledge. All you need to know is how to execute Windows 10 RAM check CMD command.

Before you start memory check in Windows 10, consider the following:

• Reset your BIOS to default settings. This will wipe any RAM overclocking. This step is particularly important as often users confuse malfunctioning RAM with incorrect overclocking settings;
• If possible, open your computer case and switch RAM modules. If they populate A1-A2 slots on your motherboard, insert them in B1-B2 slots. If you use all four slots or your motherboard has only two, skip this step;
• If possible, leave only one slot populated and check whether your PC performs well. Perhaps only one RAM stick has problems running;
• Make sure you use identical memory sticks. Although memory mismatch nowadays rarely causes any issue, the best performance is achieved when you use identical memory sticks from one kit with identical clock speed, timings, and size.

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Command To Check Free Slot For Ram In Windows 10

FSMO Role: Infrastructure Master

If problems persist after you have done everything above, time to run Windows 10 memory check.

Windows 10 RAM test

On your keyboard, press Win + R and enter the following Windows 10 RAM check command: mdsched.

The next thing you will see will be a small windows prompt asking you to immediately reboot your system or wait until the next time you start a PC. Choose whatever suits you better.

Do note that after you execute Windows 10 memory test cmd, the scan will start immediately after your computer restarts. You can leave the default memory check settings or select one of the presets.

Command To Check Free Slot For Ram In Windows 7

Windows offers three different kinds of RAM test:

• Basic Windows Memory test – the fastest option, which runs only three tests to check the RAM: MATS+, INVC, and SCHCKR.
• Standard memory test – the default option. Additional tests include LRAND, SCHCKR3, Stride6, WINVC, and WMATS+.
• Extended Windows 10 RAM check – all the standard Windows memory tests plus CHCKR4, CHCKR8, Stride6, Stride38, WSCHCKR, WCHCKR3WStride-6 and ERAND

Additionally, you can enable or disable the use of cache and select the pass count from 0 to 15. If you have time, select a few passes to ensure RAM withstands the prolonged load. By default, Windows runs the memory test run in two passes. If you specify 0, the RAM test will run until a user manually halts it.

READ ALSOUsing Multiple Desktops on Windows 10

You can navigate the Windows 10 memory test interface using keys described down below the screen.

Depending on the selected test and number of passes, the check will take from a few minutes to several hours. If during the scanning process error appears, a notification will be displayed. All the discovered problems and errors will also be saved in a Windows 10 RAM check log file you can access after the test is finished.

If your PC uses two or more RAM sticks, to achieve the most effective RAM check in Windows 10, we recommend pulling out all the sticks and leaving only one inserted. Run the Windows 10 memory check for each stick separately. This will help you to be 100% sure which memory stick works properly and which is not.

If the memory test discovered no errors with your RAM, a computer will restart automatically. After logging back into your account, you will see a notification in the lower right corner. There you can access the test’s log file.

Windows Memory Diagnostic
No memory errors were detected.

You can also find the scan results in the system events log. To open the Events Viewer, press Win + R and run eventvwr.msc command. Go to the section Event Viewer (Local) – Windows Logs – System. Find and open events from the source MemoryDiagnostics-Results.

In our case, an event description contains the following text:

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tested the computer’s memory and detected no errors

Here is a small tip. If Windows runs memory check every time you turn on a PC, what you need to do is disable automatic Windows RAM check. Run Command Prompt as Administrator and execute the following command:

Another way to run RAM check in Windows 10

More advanced users may refer to a third-party tool called memtest 86. You can download it from the official website. Memtest runs memory check just like the built-in utility but you need a flash drive to run it. Also, it is not particularly useful in case your PC cannot operate normally.

READ ALSOWhat’s the Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) Process in Windows 10?

What to do after you finished Windows 10 RAM check

Your next steps will depend on what memory test log file shows. Look for the solution of discovered errors and, if needed, replace your RAM. If there are no errors discovered but problems persist, try the following:

• Update your BIOS / UEFI. You will be amazed at how a simple BIOS update can improve RAM performance, especially on AMD Ryzen-based computers.
• Reinstall Windows. Yes, we know how stereotyped this tip is and how people are sick of every website telling them to reinstall Windows. But the sad reality is that often a fresh copy of Windows 10 miraculously solves all the mysterious bugs. Thank Microsoft for that.
• Troubleshoot other components or try to use your RAM in another computer and check whether it misbehaves. If possible, plug in different RAM sticks and check how your PC works. This is particularly important, since a bad motherboard may be another reason why your computers went crazy.

That’s it. We hope this little guide helped you to run the RAM test in Windows 10 and make sure it works properly.

AuthorRecent PostsCyril KardashevskyI enjoy technology and developing websites. Since 2012 I'm running a few of my own websites, and share useful content on gadgets, PC administration and website promotion.Latest posts by Cyril Kardashevsky (see all)