For nearly three decades, the default answer to "what RAM fits my computer?" was simple: go to Crucial, run the scanner, buy what it recommends. That era is ending — Micron announced it is winding down the Crucial consumer business, with shipments stopping in early 2026. Warranty support continues, but the shop, the System Scanner and the Upgrade Selector that millions of upgraders relied on are going away.
What this means if you own a DDR3 or DDR4 machine
Nothing changes inside your computer. Crucial modules already installed keep their warranty. But the next time you want to add memory to a laptop, desktop, NAS or server, the easiest compatibility tool on the internet won't be there to help you.
How to find compatible RAM without the Crucial scanner
Three things determine whether a module fits:
- Generation — DDR3, DDR4 or DDR5. Your motherboard supports exactly one. Roughly: pre-2016 machines are DDR3, 2016–2021 are DDR4, 2022 onwards are increasingly DDR5.
- Form factor — full-size DIMM for desktops, SO-DIMM for laptops and mini-PCs.
- Capacity and speed — match what your CPU and board officially support; faster sticks simply run at the board's maximum.
Our compatibility selector walks you through those three choices in about ten seconds and shows only modules that fit. If you'd rather not guess at all, send us your exact laptop, motherboard or NAS model — we confirm the right module for free before you order, and if anything doesn't fit you're covered by 30-day free returns.
Is now a good time to buy DDR4?
Yes — arguably the best time. As manufacturers shift production to DDR5, DDR4 supply will tighten over the next few years, exactly as happened with DDR3. If you plan to keep a DDR4 machine for a while, upgrading to 16GB or 32GB now is cheap insurance. Browse our DDR4 range or jump straight to DDR4 laptop SO-DIMMs.
Why buy from a memory specialist
Every module we sell is new, sealed stock with the manufacturer's lifetime warranty — Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill, Patriot and more. We dispatch within 48 hours, returns are no-quibble for 30 days, and a human answers compatibility questions before you spend a penny. That's the job of a specialist shop, and with Crucial's consumer store closing, it matters more than ever.