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    How easy is it to upgrade RAM and HDD 15" S series (VPCSE15FGB)

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by raundown, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    Hi I'm interested in purchasing a performance laptop mainly for photoshoping and a lil gaming. The 15.5" S model come very close to what I need due to the screen size and lightweight. However in Australia they only offer i5, 4GB ram and 5400rpm HDD. Sony is also not offering customization in Asia pacific region.

    Just wondering how easy is it to upgrade the ram and hdd(to SSD) myself? Is there a hatch underneath the laptop for doing so? Would really appreciate anyone who have done this to share their experience.

    Thanks!
     
    raundown, Mar 19, 2012
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  2. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    Answer:

    Easy; Yes. :)
     
    V_Chip, Mar 19, 2012
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  3. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    Hi thanks that's good to hear! Do you have information on the SSD compatibilities as well as RAM on this model?
     
    raundown, Mar 20, 2012
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  4. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    I'd assume that there are two RAM slots with a max memory of 8gb. The speed of the RAM is 1333mhz.

    Since this laptop is of the newer variety I believe it supports SATA III (6gb/s).

    I'll have to find the spec sheet to verify this.
     
    V_Chip, Mar 20, 2012
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  5. LaptopUser247

    LaptopUser247 Notebook Consultant

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    According to the below Sony page it will support 8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 but because 8GB DDR3 SODIMM's are now becoming more popular and Intel's gone and started updating the memory supports on its i3, i5 and i7 mobile processors this could in fact be 16GB, in which case you would need 2x8GB PC3-10600 (otherwise known as 1333MHz) SODIMM's.

    Sony VPCSE15FGB specifications

    So basically the processor model you choose will dictate how much and how fast DDR3 it will support. Given that 1333MHz DDR3 is now a common sight with the slower PC3-8500 now becoming defunct you can bet on it being at least 1333MHz as Sony states with the potential upside of it also working with PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3 (without downclocking it down).
     
    LaptopUser247, Mar 21, 2012
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  6. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you to your contribution. I'm more concern about the SSD compatibilities. I've been wondering what kind of size and connection the SSD would fit in because in my past experience the TZ series has a 1.8" and non-standard connections HDD.
     
    raundown, Mar 24, 2012
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  7. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    Still can't seem to find the detailed specs. Most likely can be found in the manual.

    I'd assume it is a standard 2.5" and that the connection is either SATA II or SATA III. I'm leaning towards SATA III
     
    V_Chip, Mar 24, 2012
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  8. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    I have went to a store today and a salesman was kind enough to open the laptop to show me the components inside. I can confirm the RAM is a DDR3 and upgradable to 8GB max. The HDD is a Toshiba 2.5" 5400rpm(yikes!). Can i assume any 2.5" SSD would fit in?

    Link below is the list of SSD the store has to offer
    Solid State Drives (SSD)
     
    raundown, Mar 26, 2012
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  9. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    I'd suggest also looking at Newegg.com.

    Did you find out if this computer supporst SATA III speeds?
     
    V_Chip, Mar 26, 2012
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  10. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    Unfortunately no. There is no mentioned in the spec sheet of SATA3 and the salesman has no idea himself.
     
    raundown, Mar 26, 2012
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  11. raundown

    raundown Notebook Consultant

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    I have bought the laptop and a Crucial M4 SSD today. Everything works fine and it is now my fav laptop I have owned!
     
    raundown, Mar 28, 2012
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  12. V_Chip

    V_Chip Be about it.

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    Congratulations on your purchase!

    Hope everything goes well. :)
     
    V_Chip, Mar 28, 2012
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