Ram upgrade m15x

I'm looking to upgrade my 3gb ram (1gb + 2gb) to 8gb. My laptop has an i5-540m and windows 7. I know that the maximum it can go is 1066mhz, but my question is:

an 8gb kit 1066mhz corsair at 7-7-7-20 is for $73, but so is an 8gb kit 1333mhz corsair at 9-9-9-24. Being that there is no price difference should I just get the 1333mhz ram instead even tho the CL is higher. Or am I better off sticking with what my processor can support with a lower CL?

 

Higher CL doesn't matter: get the faster/better (1333MHz) Corsair RAM.

 

Your CPU's IMC should run 1333MHzCL9 RAM at 1066MHzCL7 with no problems at all.

 

Doesn't matter if you buy 1066Mhz or 1333Mhz RAM.

Your system runs 1066Mhz RAM. So even if you put 1333Mhz RAM in it, your system would run it at 1066Mhz speeds.

Get whatever is cheaper.

 

First off thank you for all the replies/help.

I do understand that the ram won't run at 1333mhz and my comp will downclock it to 1066mhz. But would it still keep its 9-9-9-24 timing, or would it drop to the CL7? As far as I know (correct me if i'm wrong) I would be better off with the CL7 ram.

P.S. Both 8gb kits cost the same: $73. And I'm not looking for any futureproofing or putting this into a laptop down the line because I just bought my current laptop less than 3 months ago.

 

deleted message.

 

the 1333 will run at CL-7, just get that ram, as if you get a new laptop that uses 1333mhz you'll have it.

 

Yes, the RAM will run at 9-9-9-24 timings, since that is what is programmed into the RAM's SPD. In theory, the 1066Mhz @ 7-7-7-24 RAM would be "faster". But honestly, the difference is so small that you will never be able to see any difference whatsoever in any benchmark or real-world performance.

Personally, I would go with the 1333MHz RAM. It is easier to resell, and is easier to install into other systems in the future. You may think that you'll never need to do this, but you never know what might happen 2 years down the road...

 

No offence, but that's rubbish.

1333MHz DDR3 RAM has different timings for different operating frequencies. For 1333MHz the timings will be 9-9-9-24, but for 1066MHz the timings will be 7-7-7-20, not 9-9-9-24.

 

thanks for all the help, i did look around a few other forums and i got conflicting ideas. one of which stated: stick with cl7 if staying stock, and go cl9 if i plan on oc'ing. planning on keeping it stock. but either way i really wouldnt notice much of a difference if any.

i'm probably gonna end up going for the 1066mhz cl7 only because it has lower timings and my cpu caps at 1066, and by the time i'll feel the need to upgrade or anything i would just end up getting a new computer and who knows what the ram will be like 1 1/2 - 2yrs down the line.

do appreciate the knowledge, thank you fellas

 

the 1333mhz ram will run at CL-7 when it downclocks to 1066mhz.
if price is no difference get the 1333mhz ram.

the ram is programmed like this, there are two modes:
1333mhz CL-9
1066mhz CL-7

so when you run the 1333mhz ram at 1066mhz it'll run at CL-7.

 

The difference between 1333mhz and 1600 MHz is so marginal. 1333 to 1066 is nothing. The difference in speed of memory is milliseconds were not talking seconds here. People who went for 1333 were fools! Haha or they wanted bis.

 

They were not, if there was no price difference.

 

Well either one is an option because everywhere I look the price is either the same or negligible. The problem I'm having is that it is really hard to find good 8gb kit so-dimm ram 1066mhz or 1333mhz in Australia. Most if not all of what I find is value select or value ram, which I don't want.

Can't seem to find a so-dimm 8gb kit hyperx dd3 1066 or 1333mhz.

If anyone can point me in the right direction or has a link that would be great.
hyperx preferable, but like I said good ram (no value select/value ram).

 

You're limiting yourself needlessly then, arbitrarily dismissing 'value ram'.

As you're not overclocking, you're not running an igpu and your chipset fully supports the 8GB RAM - what do you think hyperx has that any other ram module doesn't?

With a lifetime warranty on almost all ram sold - it truly is a commodity - treat it like that and enjoy the low cost and the exact same performance.

See:
GSKILL 4GB PC3-10666 SODIMM for Notebooks at Memory Express Computers

 

So what you're saying is that by going for value ram I would be getting no noticeable performance difference when compared to higher priced ram of the same speed/CL? Could you elaborate on that because I don't understand how that could be possible and why there would even be a price premium aside from a marketing standpoint.

Edit: Is there any difference in the lifetime/stability/failure rate of the ram between value ram and higher branded/priced ram?

 

Actually, you do understand: marketing. positioning. branding. etc...


Don't drink the kool-aid.


Edit: As for failure rates? None that I know of, except that the higher/branded modules seemed to die sooner (because they were pushed, O/C'd) than 'regular' RAM that was simply used 'on spec'.

 

Ill try out a value ram kit this time around based on ur info tilleroftheearth. Will report back after running some tests.

 

I'm sure your wallet will be pleasantly surprised.

 

I ended up buying the 8gb kit (2x4gb) Crucial ram 1066mhz CL 7 (7-7-7-20):

8GB Kit (4GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-8500 upgrades for Crucial Scanner Results Intel Mobile PM55 Laptop/Notebook, CT1650847 from Crucial.com

will let you guys know how it is once I receive it and test it out...thanks for all the help thus far!!

 

I'm surprised you picked the 8500 actually. I thought the 10600/10700 were even cheaper?

Did you run CPUz to see what you currently have installed? If you're running 10600/10700 spec'd RAM you might measure a difference.

But you certainly won't be able to feel it.

8GB RAM is a huge upgrade from 3GB.

Keep us posted...

 

Ya I could've gone for the 1333mhz ram, it was indeed the same price $65 plus $25 for shipping (u.s. prices, will convert to be a bit cheaper in australian dollars).

The reason I went for the 1066mhz is because I have an i5-540m and it doesn't support 1333mhz, max is 1066mhz. I currently don't have a problem running any game on high with native res (1920x1080p) with my i5 and 3gb ram and gtx 260m. I figured by the time I will feel the need to upgrade to anything I'll just end up buying a new laptop 1.5-2 years down the line.

Since I'm upgrading from 3gb (2 +1) asymmetrical dual channel to proper 8gb (2x4) dual channel and a vertex 2 120gb ssd I'll have a snappier laptop, as oppose to using 1333mhz which isn't supported for my cpu.

 

So I finally received my Crucial 8gb kit CL7 ram, and there is definitely a noticeable difference when using my laptop and opening programs and loading times. So yes I am definitely happy with it and not a bad investment for $83.

Ran it through memtest86+ and 2 passes with no errors or problems, so thats definitely a plus!

The only question I do have about it is when I check it in CPU-Z it shows under JEDEC column the row refresh cycle time is 86 clocks. I have no clue what that means. I attached an image of the CPU-Z ram spec.

Also under the SPD tab in CPU-Z there are 4 different JEDEC columns showing CL5-CL8, once again no idea what all that means.

If someone can shed some light, would be very appreciated.