This article explains how to check the compatibility of your random access memory (RAM) and motherboard. You'll also learn how to find RAM that's compatible with a motherboard when building a new PC, and how to select new RAM when upgrading a computer.

There are many factors to consider when determining which RAM is compatible with your motherboard. Some of these you can easily figure out on your own, while others require a little extra work to determine your motherboard's specifications.

Here are the four most important characteristics of RAM when considering motherboard compatibility:

These factors are all equally important whether you are building a brand new computer or upgrading an older one. However, there is a much easier way to determine compatibility if you are upgrading an older computer. If your computer is in working order, you can choose to examine your motherboard or you can simply run a system scan tool to find out exactly what you need.