CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareMedium
A technician is upgrading a desktop computer's RAM. The existing RAM is DDR4-2400. The client wants to ensure the new RAM is compatible and provides the best possible performance without replacing the motherboard. Which of the following RAM specifications should the technician prioritize?
- ADDR5-4800
- BDDR3-1600
- CDDR4-3200
- DPC3-12800
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. DDR4-3200
To ensure compatibility, the new RAM must be the same generation (DDR4). To improve performance, a higher clock speed (like 3200 MHz) is desirable, provided the motherboard and CPU support it. DDR4-3200 is a common and faster upgrade path for DDR4 systems.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. DDR5 is a newer generation and incompatible with a DDR4 motherboard.
- B. DDR3 is an older generation and incompatible with a DDR4 motherboard.
- D. PC3-12800 refers to DDR3 RAM, which is incompatible.
RAM Generations & Speed
Different generations of Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) have distinct physical and electrical specifications, and within a generation, speed is measured in MHz.
- Generations (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) are physically incompatible.
- Higher MHz generally means better performance.
- Motherboard and CPU dictates maximum supported RAM speed.
Memory trick: Generation first, then speed: Match the slot, then feed the need.