I'm not able to change the ram size in the memory and storage section of the AVD manager in the android studio. I wanted the emulator to run a little faster (I have 8GB RAM). The controls are completely gray out.

I'm not able to change the ram size in the memory and storage section of the AVD manager in the android studio. I wanted the emulator to run a little faster (I have 8GB RAM). The controls are completely gray out.

If you create an AVD with "Recommended" system image then you can't change the "Memory and Storage" parameters neither when you create AVD nor when you edit your AVD.
Solution:
You should select your "Image" from "x86 Images" tab and then change "Memory and Storage" parameters in the next page.
Look for your avd folder, then look for the folder of the image you want to change and edit the config.ini. change the value of
hw.ramSize
Here is a solution for Android 4.1 that worked for me.
hw.ramSize line. There you should change the number of MB you want. Save changes, close file.I hope it will help.
You can do so by editing the config.ini file of the int the avd settings look for this
>hw.ramSize
Editing is disabled,but you can create a new virtual device by using Clone Device.. option.Once installation of OS is complete, edit the RAM again in Advanced Settings before clicking Finish.
Further adding to the answer by Fresher, it seems that even x86 images don't work(atleast its the case with my mac OS).
Here is the screenshot:

What worked for me:
I just used "Clone Device" in Hardware selection wizard(the first one that opens after you click on the "AVD manager"
Then setup your ram here:
Once you hit "Finish", you will see your cloned device appear in the hardware selection wizard like this:

Then go ahead as usual.
just get the emulator whith api which has no google play from x86 images,just set your ram size, then change image to the api which has google play it has worked for me creating