Sony Vaio VPC-CW1S1E - issues with RAM upgrade

My specs:
Sony VAIO VPC-CW1S1E/B
Core2Duo [email protected]
Intel® Centrino® 2 - PM45 Express 1066Mhz Chipset
DDR3 SDRAM 2x2GB 1066Mhz
Windows 7 64bit

Could someone advise me what RAM I should buy for this laptop?

Crucial.com scanner showed: DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 512Meg x 64.
Based on this (my bad, I didn't check more closely) I bought Corsair DDR3 SODIMM 2x4GB 1333MHz CL9 (CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9). What's funny, they actually work, but obviously at 1066Mhz.

I decided I'll upgrade my sister's laptop with them, and bought another Corsair kit, this time: Corsair DDR3 SODIMM 2x4GB 1066MHz CL7 (CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7). Yes, this is a MacMemory. I didn't know that at the time; there was no mention of this on the product's page. Before installing, I called the shop's support and they said there's no difference. Yet none of them work, together or separately (computer will not boot; it turns on, but the screen is black; no beeps; no anything). I'm in the process of returning them.

Right now I'm trying to choose another RAM modules, but I don't know which type. There're differences in them (e.g. number of FBGA components/memory chips), but I have no idea what that means. Both Corsair as well as Sony modules (Hynix memory) have 16 components (8 on both sides). Why does 1333Mhz work and not the 1066Mhz? I can't find any differences between them (other then the obvious) and there're no useful information to be found on corsair website. Could the 1066s be broken? I have no other laptop to test them on (they're either DDR2 or DDR3 1333/1600). (And, BTW, let me tell you how happy I am that DDR2 2x4GB kit for my old HP costs 200USD right now. )

Help?

PS. If I actually buy another 1333Mhz kit, what does it mean for my system? Right now I'm still using them and experience no obvious problems, but the performance isn't that much better either (Chrome with 40 open tabs works slightly better ; windows performance index for RAM jumped a mere 0.1 point).

Thank you.
--kate

 

Sony can be one of the most fastidious laptop manufacturers when it comes to anything aftermarket. That system has a 1066 FSB and will only support DRAM frequencies of 1066, so getting 1333 modules will probably incur a very small price hike, which wouldn't yield you any benefits.

That's basically true as far as I know. I think "Mac Memory" gets the marketing nomenclature simply due to more rigorous testing for quality assurance in Macs (?) - resulting in a price mark up. But again - Sony machines are finicky.

Crucial - Sony Vaio VPC-CW1S1E results

Go with those or with identical Sony modules. You did well with your search but it sounds like you just bought higher frequency modules - those in that link should be 1066.

 

Actually, the 1333s are cheaper. And yes, I have problems finding replacement parts for Vaio, that's true. E.g. Just yesterday I bought (by some kind of miracle) a power jack. It was horribly overpriced in comparison to HP parts. I still need a LCD ribbon, and I can't find it anywhere (Poland, btw). Not to mention, I can only dream about Vaio service manuals.

This crucial search still shows me 1333Mhz memory chips.

I've just replaced my sister's dv6's memory with my 1333s. Her's were: 2GB chip with 16 components and a 1GB chip with 8 components (HP). Both also work with my Vaio. I don't know, maybe those 1066s were simply defective.

Thank you for your comment.

ETA: Just a heads up, that Kingston 4 GB SO-DIMM DDR3 1066Mhz CL 7 ValueRAM (KVR1066D3S7/4G) work with my Vaio.