Sony Vaio SA4 RAM upgrade freeze

Hello all,
I wanted to upgrade my 4GB RAM to dual channel 8GB(2x4GB) RAM! I purchased a 4GB RAM module(Kingston Value RAM), installed it but now the laptop randomly freezes to the point that the only way to regain access to it is by hard reset.
Both Windows Mem Diagnostic tool and memtest86 don't give any errors.

OS= Windows 7 Home
BIOS: InsydeH2O R2086H4

My findings so far:
default soldered to the MB RAM must be 1333MHZ @1.5V
the module I have installed is 1600MHZ @1.35V but they say backwards compatible and can operate @ 1.5V, so this shouldn't be a problem.

I guess it's all about the timings as the 1333Mhz default one are CL9 and the Kingston is CL11.
The issue is that this bios has no advanced settings so I cannot manually set the timings.

Any ideas how I can solve the above problem? or should I forget about installing the Kingston module in that system.

Attached is a CPU-Z report = it says thy RAM is running at CL9 in dual channel, so in theory at least it should be all fine, but it's not.

many thanks

 

Get the correct RAM, many VAIO machines are demanding of correct timing. To the point where sometimes they freeze or won't boot.

 

Mixing different spec modules can lead to these issues. They should always default to the speed of the slowest module but sometimes they don't work right together.

 

well the problem is that where I live I have no access to an identical module. the best I can get 1333mhz second hand from somewhere but is that an option even to consider is questionable

 

I wouldn't hesitate in buying used RAM, as long as it works and the price is cheaper than a comparable new module.

What's the model number of your existing module? Have you looked on e-bay?

 

Do that, you should be OK!