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    DDR3 and DDR3L

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Wolfdog0, Jan 4, 2015.

  1. Wolfdog0

    Wolfdog0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Dell notebook that uses DDR3L and I was wondering that is it totally ok to use normal DDR3? I tried it and it worked fine but will it cause problems in the future? If so I will have to return it and get a DDR3L type ram.

    I have a Dell i3541-2000BLK and it supports up to 8GB of DDR3L but I wanted to know is that can I use a normal DDR3 8GB notebook ram on this notebook? It does work so far but will it cause problems?
     
    Wolfdog0, Jan 4, 2015
    #1
  2. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    If it supports DDR3-L, get DDR3-L.. DDR3 runs at different voltage so even if it works, it might not be so good for the long term health of your notebook because of added voltage stress on your memory controllers...
     
    TomJGX, Jan 5, 2015
    #2
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I would turn this potential problem around: If the computer is running RAM that is rated at 1.5V at only 1.35V (or possibly 1.25V) then the RAM itself may not be stable and there is an increased risk of data corruption or BSOD. On paper Haswell doesn't support 1.5V SODIMMs but DDR3L RAM will run at either 1.35V and 1.5V depending on the system.

    It would be interesting to see what voltage CPU-Z reports for the RAM. (However, I'm not totally certain whether the voltage it reports is the operating voltage or the design voltage in the SPD).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jan 5, 2015
    #3
  4. octiceps

    octiceps Nimrod

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    Use DDR3L as that is what is specced for your APU.
     
    octiceps, Jan 6, 2015
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    TomJGX likes this.