re: Looking to upgrade the RAM on a relative’s computer. I have a couple questions.

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Rephrase?

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Hard to rephrase it much more but I will try.

Gaming RAM: Typically this will reference XMP or XMP2.0. This memory standard allows varying speed and voltages. These features are typically limited to 3rd party motherboards you can buy yourself. Maybe if you buy a "gaming PC" it might come with a motherboard chipset that supports XMP.

JEDEC RAM: JEDEC is the typical standard for RAM timings but it doesnt allow for things like overclocking, voltage changes, etc, that gamers typically go after. If the RAM being looked at does not specifically list JEDEC timings and speeds, it is probably not going to work in a HP, Dell, etc.

TLDR example - an XMP gaming RAM stick saying it will work at 3200MHz will 99% likely NOT work in a standard HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc. motherboard requiring JEDEC RAM. If the XMP ram works, it will probably operate at a MUCH lower speed. If the RAM doesn't specifically list JEDEC 3200MHz, it isn't going to work because it will have a more demanding voltage requirement and gaming RAM wont cut at those voltage levels.