How much memory can I put in my notebook?

It says it can only handle 2 GB, but would happen if I stick two-2 gb sticks in there? Will it explode from the heat or something? It's a sony, so yeah, not the best. But what can I do.

 

If your system only supports 2gb, and you install 4gb of memory, it simply will not turn on.

What is the model of your laptop, and what chipset does it use?

To find the chipset, download CPU-Z, and go into the motherboard tab

There are certain cases where a manufacturer will state the maximum capacity of memory, and than after the system is released, higher capacity memory modules are released, and a new BIOS is released to support them

K-TRON

 

I want to improve these numbers:

 

well. is that your have a x86 system ? or do you mean your notebook motherboard only can handle 2GB ram ??

 

you want to upgrade your GPU or ??

 

it depends on your system, try to use www.astra32.com or http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/ to see what's your system max.
and no it wont explode, only your system wont read it

 

motherboard

 

if it's possible to update the GPU, then yes.
but memory too

 

This please.

 

I ran the program, this is what it says. Doesn't look very promising.

Processors Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 (ID = 0)
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo U7700
Codename Merom
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU U7700 @ 1.33GHz
Package Socket 479 mPGA (platform ID = 5h)
CPUID 6.F.D
Extended CPUID 6.F
Core Stepping M0
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 798.0 MHz (6.0 x 133.0 MHz)
Rated Bus speed 532.0 MHz
Stock frequency 1333 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
L1 Data cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2048 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 10.0x
max VID 1.013 V
Features XD, VT

 

SONY VAIO VGN-TZ398U

Chipset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel i945GMS/GU rev. 03
Southbridge Intel 82801GHM (ICH7-M/U) rev. B0
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 2048 MBytes
Channels Single
Memory Frequency 199.5 MHz (2:3)
CAS# 3.0
RAS# to CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
Cycle Time (tRAS) 9
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 12

 

Now go to the motherboard tab and give us that info. The processor isn't going to tell us much.

Nevermind, you have the info now. Thanks.

After searching for the model on Google, it looks like it only supports 2GB max.

 

I think it is possible to have more than 2gb ram.

 

You listed your processor specs
CPU-Z will tell you the chipset
It would be listed something like "i945GM"
Thats not the chipset yours uses, its just an example

EDIT:
You mention you have the i945GMS
You should have no problem upgrading to 4gb of memory
Your sony sounds like an ultraportable, does it have two memory slots?

K-TRON

 

From here and here.

 

isn't there a hack or something that can let me put more? it's really very slow right now.

 

2 slots, yes

 

It should be able to use 3gb's 1 2gb and one 1gb stick.

 

Surely some Vaio TZ owners have tried upgrading beyond 2GB. Try asking in the Sony forum.

 

Remember that your laptop is an ultra portable - its built fr small size and battery life, not performance.

How much RAM have you got? Monitor your RAM usage in the task manager.
If you don't exceed your amount of RAM (if you use more its written to the HDD) upgrading RAM will do nothing.

Also - the windows experience index tells you grraphics is weak - obviously, this computer is built for stamina.

A recovery may bring you more performance gain if you used your latop a lot...

Also the usual clean up in XP and defragmenting in Vista.

 

Detlev raises a good question. Are you sure that the memory upgrade will increase performance?

Maybe you are better off upgrading the hard drive to SSD, because Vaio TZ often comes with a slow 1.8" 4200rpm hard drive.

 

It already has a SSD.

I wasted my time at Fry's only to learn that my sh*tty notebook only has ONE slot for memory, and it's already used up by a 2 gb stick. Meaning, I can't add more or unless they start making 4 gb sticks which I was told isn't available.

 

Probably the best way to increase performance of your TZ is to install XP.

I used to have a TZ, with SSD and XP it was very fast. I wrote this guide on how to install XP:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=159585

 

Oh, 4GB ticks exist - only they are extremely expensive and may not be supported by your chipset.

Justcurious - what do yo need more than 2GB of RAM for?

Is it possibly that you have bought the wrong notebook type? Because for its class the TZ is actually a pretty good one.

 

Because faster is always better.

 

In my experience, 2GB of RAM is plenty for most purposes in Vista. As the WEI indicates, you are bottlenecked by your graphics (not upgradeable), not your RAM. It would be pointless to upgrade your RAM if you want to "improve those numbers".

 

Like that - plain wrong.

I used to think the same - but its not that easy. Also, more RAM doesn't equal faster, with a SSD it won't do a lot of good.
It ust mean more data will be cached to RAM...

Please tell us, where do you need more performance?

 

Nowhere specifically, but I think more = good. The fan is ALWAYS on. I dl'd SpeedFan but don't know how to configure it. It just says 95 on the taskbar.

Also, can I change the graphics card??

 

That's very interesting. How high is the CPU utilization?

 

around 10%

 

No, the more = better statement is no longer always true.

THe fan aways on sounds strange.

Grpahics card is soldered to the motherboard - so no, you can't change it.

 

You could try these tutorials:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/165576-how-make-vista-more-responsive-faster.html?filter[11]=Performance%20Maintenance
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance%20Maintenance
I don't think you can raise WEI score by upgrading your memory because the number decided by the lowest score(ie:2.0 for your Graphics which is not upgradable).

 

I had a laptop of the same chipset (D820 Dell, i945), You can use 4gb RAM. HOWEVER there is a limitation and it is NOT a software 32 bit windows limitation. That chipset no matter if you use 64 bit windows still can only address 3.25 or 3.5gb as I can remember. This may be different in yours but I would suspect the same since its the same chipset. I say just go for 4gb since its so cheap, and you can always use it when you upgrade computers.

 

The problem is that my sh*tty vaio only has 1 memory bank.

 

You know - I wonder why you bought that laptop?

You seem to just throw insults at it - I think you bought a laptop because it was expensive and that's it.

The TZ is an ultraportable its built for small size, stamina and light weight, not performance, and for that 2GB of RAM is more than enough.

 

I'll say it once more and then I'll keep my mouth shut.

Vaio TZ + Windows XP = Very fast.

 

I'm not familiar with your TZ,but are you sure there isnt another memory bank under the keyboard? I do understand what you mean though beacuase I have two Latitude X1 ultraportables with only 1 slot also, meaning I can only put 2gb DDR2 total. However, be aware that there are 4gb DDR2 modules out now. Unfortunately you won't be able to run in Dual channel mode. ohhhh....forgot to mention that I am not sure if the i945 can address 4gb in a single stick. I know the i965 SR can as well as P/GM45

Maybe you can try it and return it if it doesnt work. Retailers have pretty good return policies. Good luck, wish you the best!!! (although hoenstly I thinki 2gb is enough isnt it? Unless you're doing hardcore CAD and enterprise software)

 

When did GB become a measurement of speed? Do you use more than 2GB of ram?

 

Where can I find a single PC2-4200/4300 4-GB notebook memory module?

My computer is very slow.

Is there ANYTHING I can upgrade in this laptop?

 

You can upgrade the HDD - that's possibly it.

RAM - may be an issue because you have a single slot.

But honestly - I think you bought the wrong kind of laptop te way you rant about it.