Guide to choose compatible RAM

I have a laptop with 4GB RAM 1600MHz DDR3 and would like to upgrade it to 16GB. Will every 1600MHz DDR3 RAM brand compatible with my laptop?

Please help guide me as I never upgrade RAM before Thanks!

 

Any brand will work, few examples:
Kingston 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 Laptop Memory | Ebuyer.com
Crucial 8GB DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM.. | Ebuyer.com
Or you could also use Crucial Memory advisor tool:
RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, SSD at Crucial.com/uk

 

Check out our DIY for upgrading your notebook's memory; it includes instructions on how to figure out what you have.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=6945&review=how+to+replace+or+upgrade+laptop+memory
Any questions, be sure to ask.

 

RAM is RAM is RAM. So long as you get the correct type of RAM (say, 204-pin DDR3 RAM for current laptop systems), you should be fine with whatever you purchase. IF you want to keep the same 1600MHz speed, buy a stick with 1600MHz speed. The other details aren't all that important actually.

Personally, in your situation I'd just buy whatever 204-pin DDR3 1600MHz stick is on sale at the moment at the cheapest price.

 

Why buy RAM when you can download it?

Download More RAM!

This is not meant to be taken seriously. Linked site is harmless.

 

Thanks for the link Charles.

I am curious about this one. How can RAM can be downloaded? LOL

Btw, Jarhead mentioned about pin. I guess this factor definitely must match with RAM's pin installed in my laptop?

 

Yep, otherwise the RAM stick won't fit at all. RAM sticks are also notched on one side, so you don't install it backwards or anything like that.

 

latency is just as important as clock frequency´s..

 

Ok notice it.

I am more confuse now because I need to understand the 5 numbers on CAS latency lol.

Btw, for example, for this memory
Corsair CMY16GX3M2A1600C9 (2X8Gb) Vengeance Pro (Intel Haswell) DDR3

I don't think it will compatible with my laptop? My laptop CPU is i5 3320M.

 

haha I actualy brought it up to get the statement 100% correct. I agree with Jarhead that you are fine with most ram moduls that are compatible with your laptop.

this line from wiki explains it good: CAS Latency or CL is the delay time between the moment a memory controller tells the memory module to access a particular memory column on a RAM module.

Lets first say that RAM speed isnt very important. It might influence your processors preformance by like 10% max (really big difference in RAM clock speeds, difference in 1333 and 1600 for instance is only a few %). Only if you got in iGPU you will benefit from a high RAM speed (several 10%´s in big differences).

There is a correlation between clock speed and latency. The higher the clock speed the higher the latency (1600 MHz ram has typicly a CL of 10 or 11, 1333MHz typicly comes with CL of 10 and 9). 1333MHz ram CAN be faster than 1600 MHz if the latency is a lot lower. Clock speed and Latency both determine the speed of your RAM. Usualy the more expensive RAM has lower latency´s, but as i said its not that important i just brought it up to get the correct statement.

 

Understood. Btw if I put higher clock speed, will it affect my laptop? How can I see the maximum clock speed of RAM that my laptop can see?

1 last question, what is the most brand that you guys use?

 

For me, any brand is OK, I have used different brands, mixed brands and I couldn't find any difference.

 

Stick to one of the major brands e.g. Samsung, Corsair, Kingston, Crucial. Check the product description and make sure the memory is backed by a lifetime warranty.

 

I've personally used Crucial and Mushkin. Both work fine; RAM is RAM is RAM. I also have some G.Skill, and those Mushkins are mixed with my W520's factory Samsung stick.

If you put in a stick with a higher speed (say, 1866MHz) along with your existing 1600MHz stick, the fast stick will under lock to 1600MHz. RAM will operate at the lowest common denominator in a computer.

 

It's like that program they had in the 90's where you used your HDD as more RAM...

Anyways, for RAM, i use and stick (no pun intended) with Kingston, i've had great experiences from them.

 

I see..

Thanks guys for help.. Time for me to hunt now..

 

If you ever want to get more technical with how the timings/latency actually work: Understanding RAM Timings | Hardware Secrets. There's a lot of technical stuff in there, it's written in a way that is accessible to computer enthusiasts, but I wouldn't say it's easily accessible to everyone.

 

Thanks tijo for the link! More knowledge to come..