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What is the Max Memory or RAM for My Computer

How to Check Your PC’s Maximum RAM in Windows (In Under 2 Minutes)

If your computer feels sluggish, one of the best upgrades you can give it is more RAM (memory). But before you buy anything, you need to know how much RAM your system can actually handle.

The good news: you don’t need any special software or tech background to figure this out. Windows has this information built in — you just have to ask it the right way.

Below is a simple step-by-step guide using the Windows Command Prompt to find your PC’s maximum supported RAM and what to do with that number.

Here is how to figure it out.  Read further for more insight.

  • Open Command Prompt → type wmic memphysical get maxcapacity

  • Take the result and divide by 1,048,576

  • The answer is your system’s maximum supported RAM in GB

Why You Should Check Your Max RAM First

Every computer has limits:

  • Your motherboard and processor only support up to a certain amount of memory.

  • Laptops and desktops also use specific types of RAM (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, SODIMM vs UDIMM, etc.).

  • If you buy more than your system supports, it may:

    • Not boot at all

    • Only “see” part of the memory

    • Or behave randomly and unreliably

So the first step in upgrading is simply:
? Figure out your system’s maximum RAM capacity.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt

  1. Click on the Start button (or press the Windows key on your keyboard).

  2. In the search bar, type: cmd

  3. Click on Command Prompt from the search results.

You’ll see a black window with white text — it looks like something straight out of a 1970s or 1980s computer terminal. Don’t worry, we’re only running one simple command.

Step 2: Run the RAM Capacity Command

In the Command Prompt window, type (or copy and paste) this command:

wmic memphysical get maxcapacity

Then press Enter.

After a moment, you’ll see something like:

MaxCapacity
16777216

That big number is your maximum memory capacity, reported in kilobytes (KB).

Step 3: Convert the Number to Gigabytes (GB)

Windows gives the result in kilobytes, but what we care about is gigabytes (GB), since that’s how RAM is sold.

To convert:

Max RAM in GB = MaxCapacity ÷ 1,048,576

Why 1,048,576?
Because:

  • 1 GB = 1024 MB

  • 1 MB = 1024 KB

  • 1024 × 1024 = 1,048,576

Example

Let’s say Command Prompt shows:

16777216

Now do the math:

16777216 ÷ 1048576 = 16

So in this example, your system supports 16 GB of RAM.

You don’t have to do this by hand if you don’t want to — you can plug the number into a calculator app and divide by 1048576.

Step 4: Understand What That Number Means

Once you’ve done the division, you’ll end up with something like:

  • 4 → Max 4 GB total

  • 8 → Max 8 GB total

  • 16 → Max 16 GB total

  • 32 → Max 32 GB total, and so on

That number is the maximum total RAM your computer can handle.

A few quick examples:

  • If you get 8 GB and you currently have 4 GB installed, your system can still be upgraded (up to 8 GB total).

  • If you get 16 GB, your system can go up to 16 GB total, which is a nice sweet spot for most everyday and productivity users.

  • If you see 32 GB or higher, you’ve got a more capable system that can handle heavy multitasking, creative work, or even virtual machines.

Step 5: What to Do With This Info

Now that you know your max RAM, you’re halfway there. The next things to match are:

  • Type of RAM (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, etc.)

  • Form factor (SODIMM for laptops, UDIMM for most desktops)

  • Speed (e.g., 1600, 2400, 3200 MHz, etc.)

  • Configuration (one stick vs two sticks, depending on how many slots you have)

This is where we can step in and help.

Need Help Picking the Right Upgrade?

Once you’ve run the command and converted the number:

  1. Note your maximum RAM (e.g., 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB).

  2. Let us know:

    • Your computer brand and model (or motherboard model for desktops)

    • Whether it’s a laptop or desktop

    • The max RAM number you just found

If your system shows 16 GB, for example, you can let us know and We’ll point you to a compatible 16 GB RAM upgrade that will actually work in your machine.

That way you:

  • Don’t guess

  • Don’t waste money on the wrong parts

  • Get the best performance your system can support

Quick Recap

  • Open Command Prompt → type wmic memphysical get maxcapacity

  • Take the result and divide by 1,048,576

  • The answer is your system’s maximum supported RAM in GB

  • Share that number with us, and We’ll help you choose the right memory upgrade

That’s it — a simple little command that takes a minute and can save you a lot of time, frustration, and returns.