I recently checked my laptop's RAM and it shows something like 'row of chips 2 of 2'. I read that this might mean the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. But then I downloaded CPU-Z and found out that it says my RAM type is DDR4, which generally suggests that RAM can be replaced. I'm really confused about what this all means for upgrading. Can someone help clarify?
3 Answers
DDR4 refers to the type of RAM you have, and when it says '2 of 2', that means both of your RAM slots are filled. Don't worry though, you can usually upgrade RAM if you check your motherboard's specs for compatibility! You'll want to look for DDR4 sticks specifically.
Exactly! While 'row of chips' suggests it's soldered on, DDR4 is just a tech spec for speed and efficiency. Many laptops do have non-soldered RAM variants. If you're not sure, you could run a tool for more detailed specifications or check your motherboard model from msinfo32.
'Row of chips' typically indicates soldered RAM, meaning it can't be replaced. However, the DDR4 info could mean your laptop has at least one replaceable RAM slot. This confusion often happens, so if you want to be sure, share your full laptop model for better advice!
Thanks for the tips! My laptop is an HP Pavilion x360. Does that help?