NP550P7C-S02UK memory specs?

To anyone who actually has this model: please can you tell me how much RAM it came with, and where you bought it from?

I'm considering getting it because of the VAT cashback offer and decent specs for the price. However I've run into some confusion, because all the reviews of the this laptop I could find online, and some stores are saying it has 8Gb of DDR3 RAM, but some other places are saying it only has 6Gb. I've checked that in the above store (bricks and mortar) the display model definitely had 6Gb, but is there a chance the other ones may have the higher specced model? Unless the above store has a policy of ripping out some of the memory sticks for some reason, it looks more likely to be a mistake advertising 8Gb on the web page, but then why do all the reviews say the same?

 

If you click on the "Find out more" link on the PC World page the full specs say 8GB. I think the person making the web page got confused between the 6MB cache and the 8GB RAM.

Note that only the NP550P7C-S02UK is eligible for the VAT refund. There might be a -S01UK version that is not eligible.

John

 

That's what I initially thought, but I've been into a aPC World store and checked on an actual display model (System Information and My Computer) - only 6Gb installed.

 

If the model is the S02UK then I would get it all the same. The performance difference between 6 and 8GB is not substantial and if you do want the full 8GB then a 4GB DDR3 SODIMM costs under £20.

John

 

True 6Gb vs 8Gb is unlikely to make much of real performance difference - for now, and RAM is cheap. However, upgrading on laptops can be difficult or impractical (for instance, if the sticks are soldered in), and therefore getting the higher specced variant, if it exists, for the same price would be highly desirable for future proofing.

 

Does anybody know if this laptop can actually support 8gb of ram. Going to buy this machine at the weekend and would be interested to increase the Ram.

Cant find any appropriate ram on sites like crucial memory e.t.c

cheers

 

This model is new so Crucial won't have it in their database. For Ivy Bridge use 1600MHz DDR3 SODIMMs.

Page 71/72 of the User Manual shows where the RAM is located and it appears that the two modules are located on top of each other. I think that 16GB (ie 2 x 8GB modules) is the current limit.

Page 73/74 of the manual shows that a second HDD is an option (but may require a special caddy).

John

 

Hi
would it not be a max of 8Gb?
16Gb would certainly be more appealing!

Cheers for the link to the manual btw, great help

Sam

 

Unless Samsung have locked the BIOS to a maximum of 8GB, which is unlikely. Sandy Bridge hardware works with 8GB modules so I would expect Ivy Bridge to. It's just that manufacturers don't mention it because they have only tested with up to 2 x 4GB.

We had the same issue a few years back when 2GB modules were introduced but many notebooks only claimed to support 1GB modules. Even script-following support people would say that, but users (including myself) ventured further and found that the larger modules worked fine.

John

 

I have this laptop and can confirm 6gb installed. Have upgraded to 8gb and added an ssd in to the spare hdd slot. The laptop does have an empty caddy installed and a cable to connect the drive to the motherboard. Install of both was painless, however the rear cover is one piece and clipped in to place, on more than one occasion i thought i was going to snap it, just take your time and it will be fine. I am happy with the screen res 1080p would just look to small on a 17" screen. However little disapointed in the lcd quality, angles and colours seem poor if im being picky. But im hopeful i can tweak the settings for this to help some.

 

I bought mine with 6GB. I have recently enquired with Kensington regarding upgrading the RAM. They say that each of the modules will only take 4GB, which only leaves potential for 8GB. The manual isnt very helpful on the sort of RAM one should be buying probably because the product is so new and I cannot find any info on it. I am querying this amount with Samsung as this clearly cannot be the case.

I will let you know when I have more info. Interestingly though, the November issue of this product actually comes with 8GB. Kensington also say that their HyperX RAM might not be compatible either. ;o( There is not much point with just upgrading from 6-8GB as the performance increase is negligible so I believe. I want to upgrade to 16GB at least. Any ideas?

 

As I said earlier, there's a small chance that Samsung have locked the BIOS to 8GB, but it's unlikely. Both the Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge platforms can handle 8GB modules and people have tested them successfully in the Series 7 and Series 9. I suspect that the reason that the published maximum RAM is 8GB is that the hardware has not been tested and certified with 8GB modules, which have only recently become affordable. I remember the same situation some years back when 2GB modules came out and the notebook manufacturers specs said 2GB max but 4GB worked fine (subject to 32 bit Windows not being able to address all of it).

Perhaps you buy one 8GB module so that you have 12GB. That halves your investment and gives the benefit of doubling the current RAM.

John

 

Thanks John,

Further to this discussion, I have now inquired at Samsung & even they say 'the motherboard only supports 8GB'. I haven't yet got through to someone who sepaks english properly to fully undertand why.

If what your saying John is correct then, they may be covering their own back as they may not have tested at anything over 8. I have now noticed that these machines are now being sold with 8GB. Would you recommend that I buy an 8GB module and test it?

 

If you look at the CPU specs (which includes the memory controller you will see that the hardware supports up to 32GB RAM in 2 channels (ie up to 16GB modules). I doubt if you will get more sense out of the Samsung technical support- they only tell you what their system tells them.

Read this and then order your 8GB module. Two, if you want. I doubt if the P7C supports less RAM than the P5C.

John

 

I have 8GB of RAM installed - I upgraded from the 6GB already present - 2 GB stick swapped with 4GB of DDR3 SODIMM - runs like a dream.

Likewise, installed 250GB Agility SSD into the spare bay...no issues just reinstalled windows after backup of essential files.. now boots in under 4 seconds.

Such a nice laptop..can take anything I can throw at it..

Upgrade takes minutes, just be careful when you remove the flimsy cover of the back - feels like you might break, just proceed with caution..!