Windows shifts from MHz to MT/s in Task Manager to measure DRAM speeds

Windows new Task Manager now uses MT/s to showcase memory speeds

As a whole, PC enthusiasts have been measuring DRAM speeds incorrectly for years, so much so that most memory manufacturers still market incorrect MHz speeds in their marketing materials. MT/s (Mega Transfers per Second) is the measurement that DRAM manufacturers should be using, and now Microsoft has decided to adopt this corrected terminology in Windows Task Manager.

DDR stands for “Double Data Rate”, which simply means that the memory can execute two times data operations per second than standard SDR (Single Data Rate) memory. This has lead mean manufacturers to simply double the MHz clock speeds of their DRAM and market that number. After all, “more MHz is more better” in the eyes of marketing.

In Windows 11’s new Preview Build (22635.3570), Microsoft has updated their memory speed units from MHz to MT/s. Some day, this change will make its way to all Windows 11 PCs though updates. This shift should help push the memory industry to use MT/s to measure memory speeds instead of incorrectly using MHz.

(Singe Data Rate (SDR) VS Double Data Rate (DDR) – Image via Kingston)

While more and more memory manufacturers are shifting to MT/s, there are still those who insist on incorrectly using MHz to measure their DRAM speeds. This will change as more and more media and companies shift to corrected units. Memory manufacturers shouldn’t be marketing memory modules with MHz speeds that are double what they are in reality.

You can join the discussion on Microsoft updating Windows Task Manager to properly measure DRAM speeds on the OC3D Forums.