Removable RAM - Is it of any use?

Hi guys,

I have aeroed-in on a Sony laptop (VAIO 15.5" S Series Custom Laptop) that provides 4GB internal RAM and 4GB removable RAM. I am not aware of this technology, so just wanted to know whether removable RAMs are of any use or not?

I would be using RAM intensive applications and therefore I would need 8GB of RAM. I would also require Windows 7 and not Windows 8. This was the only one laptop that has got everything I want.

Guys, your help please. Are removable RAMs of any worth?

VJ.

 

Removable RAM is the norm. In the smaller/slimmer Ultrabooks you are now seeing the built in RAM. Built in to the Mother Board because of space considerations. By having one removable they are saying you may have upgradability in the future.

In notebooks that have removable if a RAM SoDIMM fails you can swap it out on your own. Onboard is a MoBo swap if the RAM fails not really a do it yourself project for most.

 

So, you're saying that a removable RAM would perform similar to one attached to the MoBo?

I am confused b/w a Sony laptop and a Lenevo Thinkpad T430. Thinkpad has integrated 8GB RAM where as Sony has 4GB internal and 4GB removable.

Which one would you go in for - ThinkPad T430 or Sony S series?

VJ.

 

You may want to fill in the sticky so we can help you out more:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...ould-i-buy-form-must-read-before-posting.html
Removable RAM has been commonplace for many years, it makes no difference in terms of performance, but it is possible faster RAM can be added if it is removable.

 

To clarify, most notebook memory comes in modules that snap in place in a slot on the motherboard. They can easily be removed and replaced in 5 minutes or less. The T430 has memory like this, as do most notebooks. Typically, there are 2 slots in which to place memory. Sony modified this with the notebook you mentioned by soldering one bank of memory directly to the motherboard so it cannot be removed or replaced. So instead of having the option to add memory modules with greater capacity to 2 slots, you only get the chance to potentially upgrade 1 slot. If you are fine with the initial amount of memory and you don't plan to upgrade the amount later, this difference won't matter to you. But if you plan to upgrade memory later, a more standard configuration like the Lenovo would allow you to increase the total system memory by more.

 

The Sony has room for two RAM cards. One of them is hidden inside the laptop and is permanently attached to the mainboard. The laptop has a second RAM slot that is accessible (under a door beneath the laptop). you can either buy the laptop with that second slot empty, or pay extra to have Sony install another RAM card in that second slot.

I ordered it with the second slot empty, and bought additional RAM myself. It's considerably less expensive to do it yourself than it is to buy the upgrade from Sony. I bought an 8GB RAM card for $40 and installed it, bringing the laptop's total RAM to 12 GB. Buying that same amount of RAM from Sony would have cost over $100.

Some laptops allow you full access to all the RAM slots (usually two of them on a laptop, although some have four). Some don't allow you any access at all. Some, like the Sony, only allow you to access one of them.

 

I moved this thread to the hardware sections, if you want to make a thread by filling the form that Tmets linked in the what notebooks should I buy section, feel free to do so.

The T430 doesn't have soldered RAM, both SODIMMs can be changed if I recall correctly. Whether it is better or not depends on your usage, for me it is invaluable, I upgrades my M6700 from 2GB to 16GB, then added another 16GB for a total of 4x8GB SODIMMs because I need a lot of RAM and upgrading myself is cheaper.

 

As noted; no performance difference - soldered/non-removable RAM is simply used to make notebooks slimmer (manufacturer's spin...) or makes what you just bought obsolete quicker (reality... and my personal opinion).

Removable RAM in that context is worth their weight in gold.

Many, many, many systems and workflows (from very 'light' to heavy-duty) respond extremely well to a RAM upgrade making the usable ownership length of the system easily double in many cases.

If your programs run on Windows 8 x64 Pro and you're getting an SSD with your new system (or soon thereafter), then you're not doing yourself a favor by configuring it with Win7.

Windows 8 makes the most from current hardware and is also key to putting 8GB+ RAM to the best use.

If your argument against Win8 is the UI - then take 10 minutes to learn to use it as you like. It is simply the best O/S available as of this moment.

 

I'll make it simple:

Removable RAM is great - if you need 8GB now, you will most likely want 12 GB in the future. It will be a ~$50 upgrade for this Vaio.

If you buy a laptop with 8GB non-removable RAM, you'll be stuck with these 8GB and would have to get a whole new laptop if you need more RAM.

 

I concur, however, I think by far the biggest benefit of removable RAM is that it is simply one more part that can be repaired for less than $30. When I travel, I often pack a couple of spare 2Gb modules in the back of my suitcase so if I experience RAM failure in some random country town, I can be back in action in less than 10 minutes.

 

That's a little much isn't it? I guess easy to transport, but RAM failure is like one of the least likely things to happen.

In any case, most of these ultrabooks with soldered on RAM do have one slot available, so it's not horrible. If you use the integrated GPU for any kind of gaming then it's best to install RAM in that slot for dual channel which will improve the gaming graphics by 30-40%. However I think many of these ultrabooks somehow run the soldered on RAM in dual channel anyhow, so it may not be as important.

 

I have soldered RAM so I carry a MoBo with me in case I have a failure. Same idea as Marksman. Hey I grew up in the "D" who knows what could happen.

 

And now I have to clean up the coffee I spewed all over the table as I read this. Thanks for the great laugh.

 

I think it was a joke. But truth to tell, I'm not sure. LOL!

My understanding of mobo's with dual channel memory is that there's a performance falloff: 1. best performance is 2 sticks of the same size with similar latency; 2. the stick size differs (not sure if this takes a performance hit); 3) the latency is somewhat different and the mobo downgrades the performance; 4) only 1 stick (not sure how performance of this compares to #3).

To OP: a "how to" on buying a 2nd stick (different brand): http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/707196-t530-ram-upgrade-16-gb.html#post9067638

 

There's only slight improvements with dual channel vs single channel for most every other application except integrated graphics.

 

On #1 you are correct matching RAM "Symmetric" #2 What can match up does so if I have 6GB RAM say 1x2GB and 1X4GB I will get 4GB running in Symmetric or true dual channel and 2GB (left over running single channel. So you would be better off with 6GB in this config vs 4GB in "true" dual channel because we have 4GB in Dual channel and 2GB more even though just single channel. Sort of a 2GB buffer before we hit the dreaded "page file/hard drive". Intel calls Flex Mode. #3 No latency issues per se. #4 Single channel well it is what it is.

Yea memory is so fast that for much it might not matter. Also my memory controller does not even do a great job barely increases bandwidth.