Would it be enough a RAM upgrade or should I change the CPU?

Hello!

I have got a Samsung QX511, a relatively old notebook with these specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2410M
RAM: 4 GB
SSD: Crucial CT500MX500SSD1
OS: Windows 10 64bit​

As you may notice, currently it's mounting a SSD instead of the original HDD (which now it is mounted as second drive in replacement of the DVD reader). After this small upgrade the computer is very fast and for my use I don't feel the need of a more recent one, a part when I use Google Meet. I don't like this platform but still I have to use it for my job. When I'm in a meeting the CPU is quite always nearly 100% of its performance, the RAM around 75%. This is quite frustrating as you can imagine. I use it with Firefox but I've tried also with Chromium with no difference.
Could I solve this with a RAM upgrade? (would the CPU benefit of more RAM available?)
Or should I upgrade the CPU? In this case I've found a second hand Intel Core i7-3520M (BGA) on a chinese web store for about 62$... Would it be a good purchase?

Thank you

 

I'm not sure how you are planning to upgrade a BGA CPU - they are soldered into the PCB.

However, the 4GB is a disaster. Upgrade to 16, or at least 8GB and it will be like day and night.

 

ahahah thank you for helping me avoid doing a big mistake! I didn't know it was soldered, I've found an article about upgrading CPU which says that if in the HWiNFO software the label "Processor Upgrade" was equal to "ZIF" then the CPU was upgradable

ok thanks! I'm not sure 16GB is supported by the motherboard, how can I know it? Which RAM would you suggest?
In case would two sets of Crucial be ok? (e.g. Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM CT102464BF160B or Crucial 4GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM CT51264BF160B)

Otherwise, would it make sense to buy only a 8GB RAM block and then have a total of 10GB? (2GB + 8GB)

 

The i5-2410M is socketed (PGA), not BGA.

OP can upgrade to a quad-core Sandy Bridge mobile CPU (i7-2xxxQM/XM), however depending on the notebook it may restrict it to 35W like the i5. The cooling also needs to be able to handle the increased 45W TDP of the quad cores.

Ivy Bridge mobile (3000 series) uses the same socket, but probably won’t work unless the BIOS supports it.

 

Are you sure? In HWiNFO I've found this label:
CPU Platform: BGA1023

 

Ah, nvm. Seems you have have the BGA version of that CPU (it came in both PGA and BGA).

 

I would suggest:

1. get the supported SODiMM type from Hwinfo, by looking either at tee exisiting module type, or the chipset type
2. Get the manual, user or service (or open the laptop up), to confirm the memory is indeed upgradeable, and how many SODIMMs are actually available.
3. Assuming the laptop actually has SODIMMs, not soldered RAM, look up the max supported memory config by googling the chipset specification
4. Get an appropriate 2 stick kit - only mix and match as the last resort (e. g. if only one slot is available)

HTH

 

Thank you for your help! Currently there are two modules of 2GB DDR3-1333 Samsung Ram M471B5773CHS-CH9
Basing on HWiNFO the chipset is Intel HM65 (Cougar Point) [B3], the CPU Intel Core i5-2410M
Searching in Google I couldn't find a final answer. Some says 16GB are supported, others not. At the same time also 1333 o 1600 mhz can be both supported or not.
What do you think? Perhaps 2x4GB 1333 would be the best solution?

 

Crucial site seems to think that 2 GB of ram in your laptop is not removable, and that max total ram is 10 GB, achieved by adding 8 GB. You should check to see if one of your modules is not removable. You might check on the Samsung board here to see if anyone has experience - that would potentially supersede manufacturer's recommendations. Example: My Alienware m15x was supposed to only take 8 GB, per manufacturer. However, when I upgraded to 16 GB, Windows found it and it worked fine. Bios only saw 8 GB, but that apparently didn't bother the OS. If it turns out that both sticks of ram are removable, you could see if someone you know has a couple of 8 GB sticks you could try. Note - if spec is 1333, you could also use 1600 - however it is very likely to run at 1333.
In any event, increasing ram is likely to make a real difference. 8GB may be a "sweet spot" for what you do, but more is almost always better.
Keep us posted.

 

Your CPU supports 16GB of DDR3 1333 RAM https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-2410m-processor-3m-cache-up-to-2-90-ghz.html

I'd follow the rest of the steps, including determination of the availability of SODIMM slots, and get either 1x8GB (for a total of 10), or 2x8GB kit depending on whether 1 or 2 SODIMMs are available.

As for 8GB being the sweet spot: 8GB is only enough for very careful usage - you won't be able to open too many tabs etc. I saw a primary schooler bring an 8GB machine to its knees doing little besides schoolwork. The extra memory will give you more leeway, and the extra memory is used in background for caching by the OS, and will further speed up your system.

 

@ dreamscreen

Pop the case and inspect the memory and the ability to remove it. This gives you confirmation of whether both are removeable or not.

If you can remove both then for the maximum effect of RAM you want to swap both of them for a dual channel configuration.

8GB will get you by with most situations and 16GB will be a better situation to be in for the long term w/o having apps freeze / close on you while using them.

The cost of RAM isn't that bad these days with a legacy setup and the spread in cost shouldn't be much between the two options. A small splurge on 16GB will give a better experience in the long run.

If what you pick doesn't work then just simply return it and get a different configuration such as 2x4GB.

 

Thank you very much @Tech Junky , @etern4l and @Jdpurvis for your help and detailed explanations!

Excuse me for the delay, I've just had some time to open the case and check. Yes both RAM modules are removable, then I'm going to buy 2x8GB as you all suggest.

Looking on Amazon I would choose two modules of Crucial CT102464BF160B (DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64) for around 80€. At the same price I can find also Samsung but I would rather not since the vendor is different than Amazon. What do you think?

Still I'm worried for the different voltages: currently my RAM is 1.5 V, 1.35 V is supported?

 

A lot of people down volt their systems to get better performance out of them so, you're already ahead of the game w/o having to mess with the voltage. Samsung vs Crucial.... it's all the same silicon at the end of the day in my book. I look more for capacity and price. Of course Amazon is a good option since you can return it for no reason if you see any issues or find a better option later on.

 

I remember looking at your CPU and it only supports DDR3 1333 not 1600, that said there should be no harm in buying the faster modules, they will down-clock if needed. I would pick Crucial (especially if the current module is also Crucial). These modules have good compatibility with various finnicky devices such as Macs and NASes. Good luck and do let us know how it went!

 

At this point you're throwing good money after bad by continuing to upgrade that laptop. A modern Chromebook will run circles around it in terms of performance, especially you can now install Android apps and Linus on one.

 

According to the list of supported CPU's, you can go as far high up as i7-2715QE... but not sure if its BGA (I don't think it is) - and another issue with this is that its TDP is 45W - and most laptops with low powered CPU's can't technically 'handle' 45W TDP cpu's because it ends up running too hot for the cooling.

You could upgrade your laptop with Core i7-2640M (BGA) ... this would give you 500MhZ boost in clock at the very least, so a relatively small boost in CPU performance, but no increase in iGP.

1333MhZ DDR3 is the best you can go with for that system if I'm not mistaken... and 16GB of RAM (this would give you quite a good boost).
Overall, if you upgrade the CPU and RAM, you'd pay about $114 for both.
If its just the RAM you're upgrading, then you can get 1333MhZ 16GB (2x8GB) for about $58.

 

He can upgrade the laptop for much less than the cost of a new Chromebook. The upgraded laptop should do very well against a Chromebook, which tend to be fairly weakly specified (which is fair enough given what they are meant for). He may not be interested in running Linux on his laptops, will all the associated pitfalls, and might prefer to just stick to Windows or simply require it given the software he runs. Lastly, he might have justifiable privacy concerns around Google products.

Case in point, I recently took a Toshiba with a dual core i5 cpu, and 8 GB of RAM and 5200 rpm HDD - it was crawling. It's like a completely new machine after an upgrade to 16GB RAM and a SATA SSD. Don't really see much difference in the usual web browsing and office tasks between that and a 6-core i7. It can even do some light gaming like Minecraft just fine.

 

Yes you are right, unfortunately my CPU supports up to 1333mhz. I've searched for 1333hz ram but I can find only 4GB modules. Currently there are on two modules of 2GB Samsung DDR3 1333mhz. If 1600mhz would work as well as 1333hz then I would choose 1600mhz just for practicity.

 

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, are you suggesting the cpu isn't soldered on the motherboard as it seems?

In Europe the RAM seems to be quite more expensive (or at least searching for the brands I know as reliable): I found around 80€ for 2x8GB 1600mhz. 1333mhz seems impossible to find in modules of 8GB :-(

 

Ah, my bad. BGA usually means 'soldered to the motherboard'... yeah, so no, you're stuck with that CPU.

I'm in UK (which is no longer part of EU, but it may take a bit of time before the stuff gets 'finalized' in terms of customs and shipping for certain things)... but I found the 1333MhZ memory modules of 2x8GB here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-...885969?hash=item2645727411:g:anwAAOSw0X5fVv2Y

And here's another set in Germany:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-8GB-16G...248612?hash=item54002db624:g:rGgAAOSw54xUWRF1

74.9 EUR (not quite 80 EUR but close enough I suppose).

Up to you to determine which one you'd find more affordable... but I'm telling you, having 16GB in your system will be definitely worth it, so I'd go for it. I remember paying $100 (and some change) for getting 2x4GB for my old Acer 5930G (back in 2010) - that unit originally shipped with 3GB RAM, so I figured going to 8GB was needed and it was definitely worth it at the time.

 

@dreamscreen 1600Mhz will work. DDR3L instead of regular DDR3 will most likely work too (99%). Make sure the modules are low density (8 memory chips on each side, 16 chips on module total). High density modules with 8 memory chips total might not work.

 

8GB is the minimum these days, for sure. 4GB is going to lead to massive swapping. Kinda sad, but RAM is cheap so devs don't care...

If you have 2x2GB modules, you could just upgrade one to a 4Gb or 8GB module - for a total of 6-10GB. The latter would be better.

Sandy still claps cheeks lol, good processors, although they're power hungry and 2 cores are on the (very) low side. I have 2x 2820qm machines that do everything a modern chip can, just slower