Which RAM?

[BreatGritain]

Hello.

 

I'm planning on upgrading my laptop from 4GB DDR3 to 8GB.

 

I've had a look at the specifications of the laptop which state:

 

Memory Type: PC3-12800

Memory Speed: 1333Mhz.

 

I understand the obvious bit, I want another 4GB module that runs at 1333mhz, but i'm confused because a search for PC3-12800 suggests a speed of 1600mhz.

 

Is the type of memory (IE PC3-12800) directly proportionate to the speed?

 

Which memory do I need?

 

Simple things confuse me...

 

Thanks for your help.

[maynardvdm]

The best is to use the tool on the crucial website

 

http://www.crucial.com/

 

It will tell you exactly what your pc can take.

[KenB]

Hi

I may be stating the obvious ........... but if your OS is 32 bit you are at the limit with your 4GB RAM :)

[Armageddon]

hi BreatGritain is the ram for the Sony viao if so I'd do as Maynard suggests and run the crucial scanner since it will tell you the max the laptop will take and suggest options and the ram is also guaranteed to be compatible

[BreatGritain]

Hi all, Thank you for the replies.

 

KenB, Sony supplied the laptop with a 64-Bit o/s (Handy!)

 

Heres the results:

Memory:

 

DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800http://extremetechsupport.com/images11/system/icon_detail.gifMemory Type: DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 (non-ECC)

Maximum Memory: 16GB

Currently Installed Memory: 4GB

Total Memory Slots: 2

Available Memory Slots: 1

 

4GB

 

EMPTY

 

 

 

Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800 with a maximum of 8GB per slot.*

 

Seems to go against what Sony's website states - they claim a max of 8GB can be used - which do I trust?

 

I can see nothing on the speed of the modules.. So i'm still a little confused.

 

Am I correct in assuming that PC3-10600 = 1333Mhz & PC3-12800 = 1600Mhz?

Edited November 28, 2012 by BreatGritain

[KenB]

Seems to go against what Sony's website states

Run Speccy from here:

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

 

It should tell you the specific motherboard that you have.

Post the make and model here and and one of us will double check.

[BreatGritain]

Thanks KenB,

 

Heres what we got:

 

Manufacturer Sony Corporation

Model VAIO (N/A)

Version C107LU6E

Chipset Vendor Intel

Chipset Model Sandy Bridge

Chipset Revision 09

Southbridge Vendor Intel

Southbridge Model ID1E59

Southbridge Revision 04

System Temperature 44 °C

BIOS

Brand Insyde Corp.

Version R0180E5

Date 04/24/2012

 

 

 

Whilst using speccy, this sparked some interest...

 

RAM

4.00 GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)

 

665mhz??

[KenB]

Hi

 

665mhz??

Speccy is obviously only reporting the DRAM frequency.

Your modules are Double Data - therefore multiply the DRAM frequency by 2.

665 x 2 = 1330 MHz

 

I cannot locate the specific m/board from what has been given.

Any chance of taking a look to see if there is a make / model number on it ( there should be )

[BreatGritain]

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

You're amazing Ken, you know that?

 

I've found the mobo part number under the ram cover, if it's of any use? : 31hk5mb0000 REV: F3B.

 

Edit: Printed on the mobo itself is "Model: HK5"

 

If it's relevant, the Laptop itself seems to have two different model numbers, SVE151D11M on the usual black sticker, and SVE1511P1EW on a white sticker a bit further away.

 

Thanks for your help Ken :)

Edited November 29, 2012 by BreatGritain

[KenB]

You're amazing Ken, you know that?

I keep telling Starbuck this - but he doesn't believe me http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif

 

which do I trust?

I would be inclined to trust the Sony information.

 

Sorry - I still cannot locate the specific m/board information

[Starbuck]

I keep telling Starbuck this - but he doesn't believe me

Now that we do agree on :o

[KenB]

Now that we do agree on

see what I mean !! :)

[BreatGritain]

Oh dear,

 

I didn't mean to cause a domestic!

 

How come when I search for PC3-12800 it only seems to show up 1600Mhz modules.

 

I know my modules are PC3-12800, I also know they are 1333mhz, but I can't seem to find any memory to buy that are the same...

 

Any ideas?

[Starbuck]

I didn't mean to cause a domestic!

It's just friendly banter.

 

Just to backtrack a little:

 

Memory:

 

DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800http://extremetechsupport.com/images11/system/icon_detail.gifMemory Type: DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 (non-ECC)

Maximum Memory: 16GB

Currently Installed Memory: 4GB

Total Memory Slots: 2

Available Memory Slots: 1

 

4GB

 

EMPTY

 

 

 

Each memory slot can hold DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-12800 with a maximum of 8GB per slot.*

 

This doesn't actually say what Ram is installed.... just what can be installed.

When the info came up from the Crucial scan, your actual installed Ram module will have shown as a sort of pic.

What was the info under this pic?

This will have said whether it was DDR3 PC3-10600 or DDR3 PC3-12800

Edited November 29, 2012 by Starbuck

[BreatGritain]

It's just friendly banter.

 

I know :)

 

The Crucial site isn't giving any more info than I've given you, but when I removed the RAM cover to get the motherboard model, the module was stickered with PC3-12800

[Starbuck]

The Crucial site isn't giving any more info than I've given you

That's strange as the scan result should show exactly what is fitted into each slot.

 

when I removed the RAM cover to get the motherboard model, the module was stickered with PC3-12800

If it's saying that you have PC3-12800 installed then it must be running 1600Mhz.

Take a look below:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/ddr3.png

[KenB]

Hi

 

Be assured that 1600 MHz will function in your m/board - albeit at 1300 MHz if that is what the board supports.

 

I suspect that the BIOS can be configured to accommodate 1600 MHz but the default will be 1300 MHz.

Take a look around in the BIOS and see if there is an option to set the RAM at 1600 MHz.

 

You may need to alter the voltage setting to comply with the RAM.

 

Personally I would be inclined to leave well alone as the gain would probably be in the order of about 5% or so - hardly noticeable.

 

EDIT:

Just seen Starbuck's post that may discredit what I have just said :)

[BreatGritain]

Starbuck, thank you for that table - it answers one of my questions perfectly :)

 

Unfortunately this laptop seems to have the most unhelpful BIOS I have ever stumbled accross.

 

It lets me change the date & time, boot order, and bios password.... and that's all it has got on there!

 

Oh well. So if I get a stick of 4GB PC3-12800 I know it will fit and work. It should run at 1600, but my laptop may or may not slow it to 1333 for no apparant reason.

 

Solved!

 

Thank you for your help guys.

[KenB]

Solved!

Not necessarily.

 

Thinking about it again ....depending on your motherboard it may not like the mixed modules.

If the voltages are different ( 1.5 v / 1.65 v for instance ) it certainly will not.)

 

Also the timings need to be the same ( see Starbuck's table )

 

There seems to be some debate as to your original RAM - 1600 or 1333.

 

may or may not slow it to 1333 for no apparant reason.

If your BIOS is set for 1333 MHz then it will not run any faster than that.

 

When you order - if you do it by phone - you could ask if it was acceptable to return it if the BIOS doesn't like the mixed speeds.

(if they are in fact different)

[BreatGritain]

Well I have emailed Sony to see why it appears I have 1600 ram runnin at 1333, so hopefully they will reply before Christmas.

 

I've also emailed them about a couple of other issues - since it was an ex-display model I want to return it to factory settings, but there is no recovery partition and no Windows CD, so we shall see what they say about that, too.

[Armageddon]

Hi is the laptop windows 7 or 8 , if 7 try hitting alt and f10 to enter the recovery process , if 8 go to control panel and use the refresh computer settings in there a option within those settings is a factory reset

[BreatGritain]

Hi is the laptop windows 7 or 8 , if 7 try hitting alt and f10 to enter the recovery process , if 8 go to control panel and use the refresh computer settings in there a option within those settings is a factory reset

 

It's Windows 7, but no cigar I'm afraid. Nothing happens. I have double checked, there is no recovery partition.

[BreatGritain]

Just a quick update.

 

Took the laptop to the retailer for help. He Googled the CPU model number, and a spec sheet said the CPU is compatible with memory upto 1333mhz, which makes sense I guess? But still begs the question why Sony fit ram to the machine which is faster that it can take. Oh well.

 

Also it appears there is a recovery partition, Armaggedon, you weren't far off the mark, just tap f10 on start up.

 

Learning every day!