Find out what RAM type you have in Linux
To check what RAM memory type yo have installed (and also see other useful information about your system), do a
sudo dmidecode
Depending on the version of dmidecode you have installed and the hardware configuration you have, each hardware device will have a certain type number assigned t it. On my machine, the RAM has type 6. So to see what RAM type and speed you have, do a
sudo dmidecode --type 6
and the output will be something like
# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.3 present.
Handle 0×0008, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
Socket Designation: ROW-0
Bank Connections: 1 0
Current Speed: 800
Type: DIMM SDRAM
Installed Size: 256 MB (Double-bank Connection)
Enabled Size: 256 MB (Double-bank Connection)
Error Status: OK
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Thank you ! very helpful
@Nicu: cu placere. Faina si aplicatia ta - jos palaria.
Great post, although on my Fedora 11 system I was unable to specify the hardware type by number. Also, dmidecode would not accept the -type argument, it needs to be --type.
Running the following also works:
# dmidecode -t memory
You can replace “memory” with “processor”, “bios”, “cache” etc and it reports back correctly.
Many thanks
To reduce the mystery, it is useful to look at the manual page via command line entry
‘man dmidecode’
Another reason I’m glad I jumped out of Windoz and straight into Linux…
I like the output of lshw (you can add -c memory to restrict). I think it is more compact and readable.
*-memory
description: System Memory
physical id: 2c
slot: System board or motherboard
size: 768MiB
capacity: 1GiB
*-bank:0
description: SODIMM DDR Synchronous
physical id: 0
slot: DIMM 1
size: 512MiB
width: 64 bits
*-bank:1
description: SODIMM DDR Synchronous
physical id: 1
slot: DIMM 2
size: 256MiB
width: 64 bits
Sometimes you need type 7 instead of 6.
typing “memory” is better indeed.
Glad you got out of windows? Windows might suck but you still need a screw driver! Is it a PC 2700? pc2100? pc3200? pc5300?
You don’t need a screwdriver in Windows!
In so many ways Linux is not as good as Windows. As much as I hate Windows Linux is not good enough! Or why do you always try to make us use Windows to use Linux! You will need a screwdriver or Windows to ascertain the ram. You will need a screwdriver for the install most likely. There is never enough time. (to do it right the first time) but there is always time to do it over again! When it comes to technology it is all or nothing. Nothing less and definitely nothing more!
Not massive redundancy of half ass solutions that aggravate instead of solve the problem! Once installed, a lot of places will not allow a return your money if the chip comes back bad whether it was that way when you bought it or not. Get screwdriver first! or get screwed later! Unless you like using Windows:-(
command lshw is of same use
sudo dmicode --type 17
gives you type as DDR2 also tell you if only one chip is there
root@home-pc:~# dmidecode --type 17
# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.4 present.
Handle 0×002A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0×0029
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 1024 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM 1
Bank Locator: Bank 0/1
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified
Handle 0×002B, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0×0029
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: Unknown
Data Width: Unknown
Size: No Module Installed
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM 2
Bank Locator: Bank 2/3
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified
Thanks!