8GB RAM stick

Hey everybody,
I was wondering if someone was willing to help me. I'm upgrading my Asus Zenbook UX32VD and I want to get an 8GB stick (single stick) of RAM. Apparently I need a CL of 11 to math the non-removable RAM thats already in there. My problem is i don't know which RAM to buy. Which company is reliable and affordable that you recommend? Should I get Corsair or Mushkin or Crucial? I honestly have no idea who to buy and whether or not like the cheaper RAM is a lot worse. Recommendations? Also is the value RAM considered worse?

 

Personally, I'd go with Crucial, but Corsair and Mushkin are alright, I've never had problems with "value" RAM.

 

Check out our memory upgrade guide:
How to Replace or Upgrade Laptop Memory
The "Getting Started" section details why it's really not important to buy a specific brand. There are however criteria you should use when buying memory - lifetime warranty and so on.

 

I would do the opposite Do not trust Crucial ram since not booting on couple VAIOs even if put 1066MHz RAM on 1066 supported cpu.

 

I've gone with Crucial on several occasions and haven't had an issue yet. I upgraded to a single Crucial 8gb stick I bought off Amazon on my computer I have now and it's worked great.

 

I think Samsung has the best compatible memory for laptops but not so strong in the performance department when it comes to default JEDEC timings and memory speed without overclocking via BIOS or software like Thaiphoon Burner and Samsungs are pricey.

When it comes to performance XMP auto-overclocking memory for laptops I think Corsair and G. Skill has the best compatibility and performance for their performance line respectively, both Corsair and G. Skill uses Micron chips with in-house EEPROM programming of the firmware on their sticks for great compatibility while keeping performance top notch.

Kingston on they other hand uses Hynix chips in their HyperX performance series and is a bit picky when it comes to hardware compatibility and somewhat more pricey for the performance.

Lastly Crucial also uses Micron chips in their Ballastix performance line, Crucial focuses more on performance/price ratio as oppose to EEPROM programming since Crucial is a subsidiary of Micron.

Really you can't go wrong with any brand but if I had to put which brand I favor most for laptops in order it would be: Samsung, Corsair, G. Skill, Crucial and then Kingston.

Note: All the brands mentioned about also have their respective value lines with the exception of Samsungs which is already a value line but a very pricey one.

 

What I usually do for a ram upgrade is run CPUZ to verify the type of RAM I have and the timings.

CPU-Z CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

Then I usually browse newegg.com to find memory that matches the exact timings and specs I want, then make a decision on which to buy and find the best price.

 

these two are the same price on Amazon and I don't know which one is better:
Amazon.com: Patriot for Ultrabook 8GB DDR3 1600MHz PC3-12800 CL11 SODIMM Memory PSD38G1600L2S: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: Crucial Single 8GB DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) Notebook Module, CT102464BF160B: Computers & Accessories

 

Patriot. Why not.

 

You're pretty safe with the more popular name brands like: Crucial, Corsair, Kingston, Samsung, G.Skill, Patriot, Mushkin, PNY... I wouldn't buy no-name RAM. Buy at least a name brand. No-names can really go cheap and use low quality or rejected modules from some of the other manufacturers.