How to make 1st-3rd generations of Z support 8GB RAM?

I have a Z690NAX (USA model, almost equivalent to 3rd generation in other countries).

I have tried a pair of Corsair (2 x 4GB = 8GB) but the laptop doesn't boot. I have tried one original kit and one Corsair kit (2GB + 4GB = 6GB) and there is no problem.

After returning the pair of Corsair, I have also tried a pair of Crucial (2 x 4GB = 8GB). However the laptop still doesn't boot. Again when I try one original kit and one Crucial kit (2GB + 4GB = 6GB) there is no problem.

Note that the 4th generation of Z in China, Hong Kong and Japan all support 8GB configuration.

Japan site: http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Special/Computer/Vaio/Z/index.html?view=biz
China site: http://www.sonystyle.com.cn/products/vaio/z4.htm
Hong Kong site: http://www.sonystyle.com.hk/ss/product/vaio/index_2.jsp

I have asked a eBay seller who sells upgraded Z690 in the US about the 8GB thing, but he also confirms that Z690 doesn't boot whenever 8GB is installed.

If it were the problem of power, I really wish I have waited for the 4th generation, because without 8GB it really sucks for my work. If it were the problem of BIOS limit, I believe Sony would never fix this for old models as VT.

 

It's one of two things, or possibly both (as noted in the other thread here):
1. A BIOS issue - Sony's locked it and won't unlock it.
2. A voltage issue - older Zs may not have been designed with that much voltage.

So I think the chances of older Zs supporting 8GB are slim and none.

And even when Sony supports Windows 7 Ultimate, I doubt they'll back port VT-x support in older laptops.

 

There used to be users in Japan who successfully boot up 1st generation of Z with 8GB installed. (The brand was like Hynix or Elpida, i'm not sure)

My question would be, anyone has an idea which brand is good?

 

Assuming you're right (I haven't seen that, so can't verify), it may be a voltage thing.

 

I was about to suggest trying 2 x 4GB of DDR2 memory (it requires less power and is cheaper) but DDR2 is 200-pin DIMM while DDR3 is 204-pin so they are incompatible. This is from specs though, I have not looked at actual DIMMs.

 

Completely different technology. Machines that use DDR3 require DDR3.

That aside, there are two apparent possible causes for the problem:

1: There may be a BIOS limitation. If so, wait for Sony to do nothing (i.e. sell a new model with the limitation lifted, but do nothing for models already on the market).

2: The number of chips are too much for how much juice the controller circuit can handle. On other machines, this can sometimes be "fixed" by raising the RAM voltage just a tad to compensate for the drop. On the Z, this isn't possible (again, due to a BIOS setup with pretty much the least amount of option among any laptops). However, it's possible that newer 4 GB modules will come out with fewer RAM chips on them, and if this is the problem, they will likely work.

 

Regarding of 8GB RAM Sony HK states:

and

Imho art1's second explanation could be correct.

 

i agree with you. i guess now it is just hard to get some memory modules made in asia, like Hynix or Elpida, which is less power consuming.

 

Well, the new Japanese models can come equipped with 8gb of ram as a 'VAIO Owner Made' option. So there is hope for you and others who want 8gb in the Z.

 

You guys do not think it is possible to get the bios of the newer Z and back-flash it or what not to previous gen Z so we can see if it is a bios limit?

 

Could all Vaio Z accept 2GB + 4GB Total 6GB of RAM?

 

Good idea, could someone confirm if this works?

 

It's confirmed that on 4th generation of Z sold in Hong Kong with at least one 4GB module preinstalled, the memory module is made by Micron Technology (it's not made by Crucial; the screenshot was in Chinese).



Another thread in Taiwan shows that a Z4 with 6GB (2GB+4GB) preinstalled includes the following modules: (a 2GB Hynix and a 4GB Micron)



The part number is MT16JSS51264HY

 

Does this particular model have lower power consumption? Would we be able to run 8 gigs if we have this exact module? I highly doubt it... but who knows.

So we are stuck with 6 GB max?

 

I'd be in favor of testing it but currently, 4GB RAM chips are too expensive and not worth the value vs cost, so that's what's stopping me.

 

i am keen to work this out. 6GB really sucks cuz it's asymmetric dual channel, which reduces performance by 20% from 2x2GB=4GB installation.

if there is no way to support 8GB i'm going to buy a new laptop soon next year.

 

I would buy 2 Micron modules if it's possible, do the test, then return them, if there is any possible way to purchase them in the UK.

 

That would be much appreciated! Please post the result when you manage to get your hands on those rams.

Thanks.

 

For your info, Crucial Technology is a consumer brand of Micron Technology.

 

LOL guess what people?

In addition to the 8 GB ram limit, the newer Z's also got Intel 5300 AGN as an option (well at least on the Japanese Z's). THAT's another thing I really wish that I can have in my Z NOW, cause I'm not 100% happy with the 5100..

 

I am assuming the intel 5300 is the newer wifi card? If so why not just swap it out for it(I would think you could get one of ebay at a decent price).

 

No, Unfortunately, it is not an easy upgrade to do, since it requires the attachment of another antenna.

The 5300 was released around the same time as the 5100, so as the numbers suggest, the 5300 is a higher version of the card. It's got 3 antennas as opposed to the 2 on the 5100, which means better signal and greater speed.

I think I read it in a post that someone managed to upgrade to a 5300 on his Z, and tucked the extra antenna under the keyboard (the 2 other antennas run within the casing of the screen lid on either sides). However, I certainly don't feel comfortable enough to do such a mod... The farthest I'm willing to go is just a simple replacement of the harddrive.

 

What does Sony do differently?

 

I don't care about the WiFi thing. Just two things suck on my Z3: 6GB RAM limit and VT disabled...

 

Latest update:

It is possible to light up Z2 with 2 x 4GB Micron installed!!! (4GB Micron module is the official module used for Z4 with 6GB or 8GB preinstalled)

http://img35.imageshack.us/i/z28g1.jpg/

http://img504.imageshack.us/i/z28g2.jpg/


It is still not confirmed whether the old BIOS forgot to limit the max RAM to 6GB. (for Sony's nasty market strategy)

 

Your links lead to "403 Forbidden" messages.

 

fixed. I have tried to contact Micron sales in the UK. They only ship to a company address. I'll try to contact my university to see if they can help me place the order.

 

Is this the 1.35V Micron or 1.5V Micron RAM?
If your Sony has been preconfigured to provide 1.5V to your RAMs, would by replacing the original RAM with 1.35V Micron provide you with a better battery life? Or it won't matter since the laptop still would power the RAM with 1.5V regardless which Micron RAM you use?

 

Wow, great news! thanks a lot for the conformation. Where did you find that information?

I guess it's able to run 8gb after all, we will just have a harder time getting the right rams.

 

I think Micron, Crucial, Corsair, Hynix, Elpida all uses 1.5V for 4GB DDR3 1066 204pin SODIMM. (At least I have confirmed the first 3 by reading datasheets.)

Where did you get that 1.35V data?

 

This is confirmed by a high-end user in Taiwan who recently sold his Z36 to get a Z48. He's got a lot of friends owning Z around so he did the test.

http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=258&t=1113969&last=12866914

I'm not sure if google translate will work on the Chinese (traditional).

 

I wonder if the same thing can be applied to the TT seeing as the new model coming out also get 8gb ram support. I don't think I need 8gb of ram, as 6gb would be sufficient enough.

 

@Sniper_Sung
http://www.micron.com/products/modules/sodimm/partlist?vol=1.35V

 

Yup, I just skimmed through the post (luckily I can also ready Chinese, and a little Japanese).

Apparently the guy took the original 2x4 GB Micron ram out of a Z4 (Z7xx here in the states), and ran them in a friend's Z2 (Z5xx). Since Z5xx and Z6xx are pretty much the same. It is pretty safe to assume that we can all run our Z5xx and Z6xx with 8 GB of Micron ram. At least, it is confirmed with the newer R3054M3 BIOS.

Thanks a lot sniper_sung, great find!


Also, Sonystyle only charges $420 for the 8 GB ram option on the Z790 CTO (it is still a lot, but compare to the price on newegg? )... How did the term "competitive pricing" got introduced to Sony?

 

So, do you think it is possible if us TT(with the latest bios off the sony site) owners got the ram of the new model that supports 8gb we could achieve the same results?

 

Does the newly refreshed TT in Japan support 8 GB? If it does, there may be a pretty high chance that TT2xx can also run 8 GB with the exact ram.

Please correct me if anyone thinks otherwise. I'm not particularly familiar with the TT models.

 

Yes the new TT that is out right now in the USA, Japan and other place now supports 8gb of ram. So, what about us owners with the slightly older TT1XX line? I would be even content with 6gb of ram.

Also, do you think if one was able to get(some hack of sorts) the bios of the new Z7xx line or TT3xx line on the older models, that these models would have support for 8gb or something?

 

That's a good one. LOL!

On a serious note, maybe Sony finally learned the importance of listening & responding to customer's complaints/suggestions in a positive manner so as to uphold the good name of Sony products & their famous motto, "Like.N ther."

 

Oh sorry, I thought the T2xx is the older one (don't know a thing about the TT...) Yea, I would say you can also run 8gb if you can find out the exact model of the rams on the newer TT. I don't think you need to worry about running 6gb. I would be surprised if you can't.

As for the BIOS versions, you also don't need to worry about it. The R3054M3 BIOS (which has been confirmed to support 8 GB) for the Z has been on the Sony support website for more than a month. I just updated to it last week. There should be a similar update on the website for TT's BIOS (or are they all the same?).

LOL. I hope so.

Or maybe not...
If you've been keeping up with Engaget/Gizmodo, you may have seen this. It's sony's response to their "seemingly" overpriced PSP replacement, PSPgo:

 

Well the TT2xx just got replaced by the TT3xxx line. The latest BIOS for the TT1xx(or at least for mines with out BD) is R2020M4.

Anyone with a TT willing to try 8gb of ram?

 

Well, is there any easy way to purchase 8gb Micron ram to use in the Z?

 

It is still very rare even in Asia. I guess the best bet for us to find one in the states is on ebay, or shopping yahoo japan (Japanese ebay).

Just did a quick search on ebay, found one here for $419 (ouch!)...
http://www.memorysuppliers.com/micron-ddr3-4gb-pc3-8500.html

I checked it against the picture from a Z4 open box, it is the right model, no doubt about it:


I have my fingers crossed that newegg and amazon would start carrying this ram...

Here's the product page on Micron's website, the part number for this ram is MT16JSS51264HY-1G1 (I found this on the open box picture):
http://www.micron.com/products/partdetail?part=MT16JSS51264HY-1G1

 

Maybe someone will also want to check with Crucial again because Crucial is a subsidiary of Micron & all the Crucial RAMs carry the Micron chip. Those Crucial 8GB RAM sticks (if the "correct" one is bought) may also carry the same wattage/voltage chips....

 

damn it, the IT service of my university refused to make the order for me. seems i'll have to figure out other ways of doing that.

 

Check my original post, I have tried Crucial, but my Z didn't work with 8GB. It only worked with 6GB.

 

I would also like to think that.. But so far, I've seen people trying Crucial and Corsair rams without success...

Anyone know the return policy for the rams on newegg?

 

Of course I know that you've tried it out but I was kind of thinking that they may have more than 1 part number for the 4GB RAM sticks like some other companies do. Guess I'm totally wrong. I apologize for my bad.

 

I want to make sure I am clear on something, we are referring to 8gb as 4gb x 2 right or are we going crazy and trying one stick of 8gb(not sure if out yet?) ram?
BTW anyone have any idea what ram the new TT with 8gb support is using in the 8gb models for comparison sake?

 

indeed it was a good suggestion i'm trying to contact Crucial to see if they can sell me Micron modules, still haven't got any response yet

 

we are referring to 8gb as 2 x 4gb a single stick of 8gb is really crazy to me

perhaps you could start another thread to see if someone has bought a new TT with 8gb preinstalled