Installing RAM is a straightforward hardware upgrade you can do yourself in about 15 minutes

Adding RAM to your PC means opening the case, locating the empty RAM slots on your motherboard, and pushing new memory modules into place. The whole process requires no special tools — just your hands and a few minutes. Most people can do this without any technical background, and if something goes wrong, the worst that happens is the computer won't start until you reseat the RAM correctly.

Before you buy new RAM, you need to know three things: how much RAM your motherboard can hold, what type of RAM your PC uses, and which slots are currently empty. This guide walks you through finding that information, buying the right RAM, and installing it safely.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your motherboard's manual or use CPU-Z software to find out what type of RAM your PC uses and how many slots are available.
  • Buy RAM that matches your current RAM's speed and type — mixing different speeds can slow everything down to the slowest stick.
  • Power off your PC completely, unplug it, and touch a metal part of the case to discharge static electricity before opening it.
  • RAM modules only fit one direction — if you push hard and it does not click into place, flip it around and try again.
  • If your PC does not start after installing RAM, power off, reseat the modules by pushing them out and back in, and try again.

Find out what RAM your PC currently has

The easiest way to check your current RAM is to use a free tool called CPU-Z. Download it from cpuid.com, run the installer, and open the program. Click the "Memory" tab at the top. You will see the type of RAM (DDR4 or DDR5), the speed in MHz, and how many slots your motherboard has total.

Write down the type and speed — for example, "DDR4 3200 MHz" or "DDR5 6000 MHz". You will need this information when you buy new RAM. If you see four slots and only two are filled, you have two empty slots. If you see two slots and both are filled, you will need to replace one of the existing sticks rather than add a new one.

If you prefer not to use software, you can also open your PC case and look at the RAM sticks directly. The type and speed are printed on the label. This takes longer but works just as well.

Buy RAM that matches your system

Go to a retailer like Newegg, Amazon, or Best Buy and search for RAM using the type and speed you found. For example, search "DDR4 3200 MHz" or "DDR5 6000 MHz". Buy a single stick that matches your current RAM exactly — same type, same speed, same brand if possible. Mixing different speeds works, but your PC will run all the RAM at the slowest speed, which defeats the purpose of upgrading.

The capacity (4GB, 8GB, 16GB) can be different from what you have. If you have one 8GB stick and buy one 16GB stick, you will end up with 24GB total. If you have two 8GB sticks and want to add more, buy another 8GB stick to match.

Do not buy RAM that is faster than what you currently have unless you are replacing all your RAM at once. A faster stick will slow down to match your existing RAM's speed, so you will waste money.

Power down and prepare your PC

Shut down your PC completely — do not put it to sleep. Wait 30 seconds after the screen goes dark, then unplug the power cable from the back of the case. This ensures there is no power running through the motherboard while you work.

Open your PC case. Most cases have two thumbscrews on the back panel, or a side panel that slides off. If you are not sure how to open yours, search "[your case model] how to open" online. Once the case is open, look inside and locate the RAM slots. They are long, thin vertical slots near the CPU (the large square chip in the middle of the motherboard). You will see one or more RAM sticks already installed.

Before you touch anything inside, touch a metal part of the case with your bare hand. This discharges any static electricity from your body, which can damage the RAM or motherboard. You only need to do this once per session.

Remove an old stick if you have no empty slots

If all your RAM slots are full and you want to add more capacity, you will need to remove one of the existing sticks first. At each end of a RAM slot, there is a small plastic clip. Push both clips outward at the same time, and the RAM stick will pop up at an angle. Grab it by the sides and pull it straight out. Set it aside — you can keep it as a backup or sell it.

If you are only adding RAM to an empty slot, skip this step and move to the next section.

Install the new RAM stick

Hold the new RAM stick by its sides, with the gold connectors facing down toward the motherboard. Look at the notch in the middle of the RAM stick — it is a small gap in the gold connectors. Line this notch up with the key (a small bump) in the RAM slot. This prevents you from inserting the RAM backward.

Position the stick over an empty slot and push down firmly and evenly on both ends. You should feel it click into place, and the plastic clips at each end will snap inward automatically. If you push hard and it does not click, stop and check the alignment. The notch and key must line up perfectly. Flip the stick around if needed and try again — RAM only fits one way.

Once the RAM is seated, the clips should hold it firmly in place. The top of the stick should be level with the top of the slot, not tilted or sticking up.

Power on and verify the installation

Plug the power cable back in and press the power button. Your PC should start normally. Once it boots, open CPU-Z again and check the Memory tab. The total capacity should now show your old RAM plus the new RAM. For example, if you had 16GB and added 8GB, it should show 24GB total.

If your PC does not start, or it starts and then shuts down immediately, power off and unplug it again. Reseat the RAM by pushing the clips outward and then pushing the stick back down until it clicks. This fixes the problem about 90 percent of the time — the stick was not fully seated. Try powering on again.

If the PC still does not start after reseating, power off and remove the new RAM stick entirely. Plug in and power on. If the PC starts with only your old RAM, the new stick may be defective. Contact the retailer for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix different brands of RAM?

Yes, mixing brands is fine as long as the type and speed match. Corsair and Kingston RAM work together without problems. The important thing is that the speed (MHz) is the same — mixing speeds causes all RAM to run at the slowest speed.

What if my PC starts but runs slowly after adding RAM?

Check CPU-Z to confirm the new RAM is showing up. If it is not, power off and reseat the stick. If it is showing but your PC is slow, check that the RAM speed matches what you had before. If you accidentally bought faster RAM, it will run at your old speed, which is normal and not a problem.

Do I need to update my BIOS after adding RAM?

No, BIOS updates are not needed for RAM installation. Your PC will recognize new RAM automatically. If your PC does not recognize the new stick, reseating it usually fixes it.

Is it safe to touch the gold connectors on the RAM?

Avoid touching the gold connectors if you can, but a brief touch will not damage anything. Hold the RAM by the sides and top edge instead. If you do touch the connectors, just make sure you have discharged static electricity first by touching the metal case.

Can I install RAM while the PC is on?

No, always power off and unplug the PC first. Installing hardware while the PC is running can damage the motherboard or the new RAM. Wait 30 seconds after shutting down to make sure all power is gone.