How to check memory throughput after a BIOS update

Your PC feels different after a BIOS update, or you want to check whether memory speed changed. A BIOS update can reset memory profiles or alter default timings, but one benchmark result alone is not proof that your RAM is slower.

Use the Memory Test (RAM) to check read, write, and copy speed, plus response time. Then compare results under the same conditions and inspect the memory settings that may have changed.

Test memory throughput

1. Open the Memory Test (RAM) on the computer you updated. The test runs in your browser and does not require an installation.
2. Close games, video calls, file transfers, and other heavy tasks. Keep the computer plugged in if it is a laptop, and wait a few minutes after startup so background work can settle.
3. Run the test and note the read, write, and copy speeds, response time, and score out of 100. Save the results somewhere you can compare later.
4. Run it two more times under the same conditions. Compare the results across runs rather than relying on a single score.
5. If you saved results from before the BIOS update, compare those with the new runs. Check that you used the same computer, browser, power mode, and test conditions.

If you did not save a pre-update result, you cannot know exactly how this computer performed before the update from a new test alone. You can still check whether results are consistent now and inspect the memory settings. For a repeatable reference, see How to establish a memory performance baseline.

What the result means

Read, write, and copy speeds are close to your previous results

The browser test has not found a clear throughput change. Small differences from run to run are normal. Browser workload, background activity, power limits, and system temperature can all affect the result. A similar score does not prove that every BIOS setting stayed the same, so check the memory profile if you want to confirm it.

All three speeds are noticeably lower

A memory profile may have been reset, or the computer may be using a different power mode or running background tasks. The test measures performance in this browser workload. It does not tell you exactly which BIOS setting caused a change.

Only one result changes, or runs vary widely

A single read, write, or copy result can be affected by ordinary test variation. Repeat the test after closing other work and waiting for the computer to cool. If the same result remains consistently lower, inspect the memory configuration and compare again.

The score changes but the speeds look similar

The score combines measured performance into a convenient comparison, but it is not a full hardware diagnosis. Give more attention to the individual speeds and response time, especially when the difference is small. A score out of 100 is useful for comparing runs on the same device, not for proving that one computer is faster than another.

The browser reports an unexpected amount of memory

Browsers provide only a rounded hint about RAM size, not the exact amount installed. Do not use that figure to decide whether a memory module disappeared after the update. Check the computer's firmware or operating system instead.

How to check it

1. Repeat the test under steady conditions. Use the same browser and keep other demanding tasks closed. If results settle after another run, the earlier difference may have been temporary.
2. Check the power mode. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Power & battery › Power mode and use the same mode for each comparison. On a Mac laptop, check System Settings › Battery and keep the energy mode consistent. Power modes can affect test performance, as explained in How to check if power mode affects memory tests.
3. Check whether the memory profile changed. Restart into UEFI firmware settings. On Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Recovery › Advanced startup › Restart now, then choose Troubleshoot › Advanced options › UEFI Firmware Settings, if available. Firmware menus differ by computer. Look for the memory speed or profile setting, often named XMP, EXPO, or DOCP, and compare it with what you used before the update.
4. Do not change several settings at once. If a profile is off and you know it was enabled before, restore that profile and retest. If you are unsure, check the computer or motherboard maker's instructions first. Avoid changing memory voltage or timings just to chase a benchmark score.
5. Check whether the operating system sees the expected memory. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › About and check the installed RAM information. This is a quick check, not a precise throughput measurement. If the amount appears wrong, confirm it in UEFI and follow the computer maker's guidance.
6. Retest after any change. Restart the computer, let it settle, and run the same browser test again. If the system becomes unstable after restoring a memory profile, return to the firmware defaults and seek help from the computer or motherboard maker.

Mac computers do not usually offer user-adjustable BIOS memory profiles such as XMP or EXPO. Their firmware updates are delivered with macOS updates, and memory settings are generally managed by the system. On a Mac, focus on repeated browser test results and consistent power conditions rather than looking for a BIOS profile.

When the results point to a bigger problem

A lower browser score by itself does not show that a memory module is damaged. Look for other signs too, such as crashes, restart loops, or the operating system reporting less memory than expected. If those symptoms began after the update, note the firmware version and the settings you changed, then contact the computer or motherboard maker before attempting advanced firmware changes.

The Memory Test (RAM) measures browser-based read, write, and copy performance. It cannot confirm every memory setting or diagnose all hardware faults, so use it as one comparison point rather than a final verdict.