How to make 3rd Z support 8GB (working solution!)

It is known that due to marketing strategies Sony decided to limit the maximum memory supported by Z690 (aka Z3) down to 6GB, despite the fact that there are reports about Z1, Z2 and Z4 installed 8GB successfully without a problem.

The working way is the stupid (and possibly risky) way:

1. Important: Clear all passwords in BIOS! (including main, user and HDD passwords) otherwise you may have to flash back to your current version to access BIOS settings.

2. Download the R2168M3 BIOS update for Z2 from the sony-asia site:

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/314802/product/vgn-z27gn

Use WinRAR to extract the exe file.

3. Make sure all other programs are closed. Make sure battery is installed and AC adapter is connected. Run "InsydeFlash.exe". The mouse pointer will become laggy for a while (which means the flashing is in process). Wait until the mouse can move smoothly again (which means the flashing is complete).

4. Shut down and install 8GB.

5. Optional: enable VT (refer to http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=345282).

Enjoy your 8GB

 

Can I enable VT on a Z7xx with this?

 

Not with this, but a different story. You may search this forum about how to enable VT on Z

 

You mean that Sony only limit Z3 to 6G via Bios? I read your past posts regardng 8G Ram. It seems that you cannot boot up your machine by installing non-Mitron Ram. Later on you had ordered a pair of Mitron ram from the Sony service center. Can you manage to boot up to 8G using the pair of Mitron Ram?

I am now using a Z46 with 6G Ram but the 4G Ram module is from Samsung. If I need to upgrade to 8G, I am not sure whether I should get one more Samsung or try to get one 4G Mitron or even other type of 4G DDR3. So, I really want to understand the true reason why your Z cannot boot in 8G ram in the past.

BTW, I run some benchmark recently to see if I can get performance boost by upgrading to 8G from a 4G+2G configuration. There is rumor that the 4G+2G ram will run slower at special dual channel mode. So happen, I have a pair of 2G DDR3 Ram. I ran memory benchmark on the 2x2G ram vs 4G+2G ram. I found that the memory bandwidth are the almost identical under both memory configuration. Under that situation, I decided not t upgrade the 2G ram to 4G ram until the 4G ram module price down to a reasonable level.

 

I think Sony only limit Z3 to 6G via BIOS, because I have seen reports about Z1 and Z2 successfully installed 8G without a problem.

Originally I thought it was because Z is only compatible with Micron modules. However this was proved to be wrong: my Z690 doesn't power up with 8GB Micron installed. By changing the memory timings setting in BIOS after hacking, Z3 can actually power on and boot with 8GB installed, regardless of the brand of the memory. By such hacking, BIOS only "sees" the amount of memory that was installed and successfully powered up last time. (e.g. install 6GB, power up, hack and change settings, install 8GB, Z3 could still power up but BIOS only sees 6GB). This eliminates the possibility of hardware compatibility issue.

Today I decided to experiment my speculation since I have finished all my important work recently. Originally I wanted to wait for the BIOS of Z4 but finally couldn't wait to try with the BIOS of Z2. As expected I succeeded.

To sum up, we now have reports on the following working configurations:

Z1 8GB Micron (BIOS: R2168M3) Link: http://www.benyouhui.com/thread-1006003-1-1.html
Z2 8GB Micron (BIOS: R2140M3) Link: http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=258&t=1113969&last=13889819
Z3 8GB Micron (BIOS: R2168M3 by using Z2's latest BIOS update) confirmed by me
Z4 8GB Micron (BIOS: R4xxxxxx) Supported officially

It is still not confirmed yet whether Z3 can apply the trick to power up with 8GB non-Micron modules, but I think it is very likely for non-Micron modules to work , i.e. the brand of the memory is irrelevant.

 

For your concerns about performance, I can confirm that the performance of symmetric dual channel is better than that of asymmetric dual channel.

As my own experiments and benchmarks on my Z690:

2GB + 2GB: memory copy = 5.5GB/s
4GB + 2GB: memory copy = 4.5GB/s
4GB + 4GB: memory copy = 5.5GB/s

As my own experiments and benchmarks on my SZ4:

1GB + 1GB: 3DMark on Intel 945 graphics card: 1100 Marks
2GB + 1GB: 3DMark on Intel 945 graphics card: 800 Marks

Since the nVidia graphics card also uses part of the main memory (Turbo Cache), the performance is also affected slightly. I can observe a drop of 3 fps in WOW under the configuration of asymmetric dual channel 4GB + 2GB.

The performance impact of asymmetric dual channel is not vital if you do not run memory bandwidth sensitive tasks heavily.

 

Oh man. To me, this really seems like it takes some kind of scientist to "make" 8GB of RAM work in the Vaio Z notebooks. I hate to admit it but this is unfortunately too technical beyond my ability to understand.... LOL at my own stupidity!

 

Well I have to say Z3 is really a nasty laptop I have owned. At the beginning I couldn't enable VT to run 64-bit virtual machines. Later I found it impossible to power up with 8GB after all my hard work to get the official memory modules on Z4. All that I met was just frustrations. However in the end these problems are solved

My next plan is to upgrade it to Raid 0 SSD. I have already purchased the frame and the cable. I am now waiting for a pair of Intel X18-M 320G to setup my 640G Raid 0

But I will say goodbye to Sony when I purchase my next laptop, after frustrated by V505, SZ and Z. I bought them just because they were the lightest laptops with discrete graphics card in the world, but I'll have my gaming desktop soon.

 

I was going to try this tonight but I noticed that the link to Z2 BIOS you gave in the first post is for R2168M3, which makes it the same as current Z3 BIOS. Does it mean that SONY Asia managed to quickly react to the "leak" and replace "good" BIOS with "bad" one?

 

I have a Z3 and it has R3054M3 BIOS

 

Thanks for the benchmark result. Maybe I used an incorrect tool to check the memory bandwidth. What memory benchmark program didn't you use ?

When I run the latest CPU-Z, the CPU-Z stated that I am running at symmetric DC mode. When you run your 6G Ram, did CPU-Z state that you are running at symmetric mode?

If I can boost the performance by replacing the 2G Ram with 4G, I will do so without waiting. The challenge is that I need to choose whether I try to get the Samsung Ram, Micron Ram or even other brand. I hope that my M4040M3 is less demanding for the 4G Ram module.

 

The benchmark program I used was Everest. Attached please find the result. The first one is the 6G result. The second one is the 2G + 2G result. You can see that the result are similar.

 

"Symmetric dual channel" and "Asymmetric dual channel" are definitions given by Intel. On a 4GB + 2GB setup, for each memory access, there is a 2/3 probability that the access falls in a dual channel with 128 bit bandwidth, and a 1/3 probability that the access falls in a single channel with 64 bit bandwidth.

I also used Everest for the benchmark, even the same version as yours. It is strange that the consistency is questionable - at least the L2 cache differs a lot between two tests.

I don't think one can feel the difference of memory performance if just running daily tasks. So my suggestion would be - ignore that asymmetry unless you are crazy perfectionist, such like me

 

My Z690 has R3054M3 as latest BIOS version, and I know all other Z3 have R3054M3 as latest.

 

Indeed, I did not read it carefully enough.
I can confirm now that it worked on my Z690Y (CTO).
Hynix 4+4 GB memory. So this has nothing to do with memory vendor, just original Z3 BIOS limitations.
SONY's reputation fell to the floor and started digging...

 

Thanks for the news.
Doesnt know that the R2168M3 let the memory upgrade to 8gb
I have the Z1 with latest BIOS. just matter of time till the price of ram suits well for the upgrade.

 

You didn't RMA your Hynix?

Indeed I used to think about selling one of my Micron module

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231294

getting cheaper.

But agreed, sony are fks if this is tied to marketing.

 

OK. Just to double-confirm for everyone. The "magic" BIOS version number for the Vaio Z3 or Z690 notebook is R2168M3 right?

 

Yes. That's the one.

 

I've one stupid question. Does the R2168M3 .exe file run under Vista 64-bit or does this file only work on Vista 32-bit?

 

I executed it successfully under Windows Server 2008 R2 x64, so I think it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit OS

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

I wonder if other Vaio Z690 notebook owners running Vista 64-bit had run this R2168M3 BIOS file successfully. I just want to make sure before I run it because I don't want to brick my Vaio Z notebook.

By the way, this R2168M3 BIOS file can also be found on the U.S.A. support web site. The following is the link to the file:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&upd_id=4647&os_id=30

 

Thanks for confirming for everyone

The file from the US site cannot be extracted by WinRAR directly. It requires a slightly more complicated process: run the update, monitor %TEMP%, intercept the extracted files and execute.

 

I've not flashed my BIOS yet. I'm still waiting for a few more positive experiences with success in flashing this BIOS in Vista 64-bit before going ahead with my own BIOS flash.

Thanks for sharing info on the BIOS file from the US support site. I previously do not know about the hassle of flashing the BIOS using the file from that site. It is good to know more about the hassle.

 

Hi,
I just wonder if this trick works with Z590?

 

I don't think Z590 needs this trick. It should support 8GB by default.

 

I agree because the R2168M3 BIOS file was created for use on the Vaio Z590 notebook.

 

out of interest why would they limit just the 690 and not the other series?

 

Thx sniper_sung very much!! That is really a great news for me!!!

But I have some question to ask you, sniper_sung

1) I have own a Z3 (model is Z36GD) which is bought from HK at April 2009.
Is the process stated in 1st floor workable for Z36GD? What's the BIOS version at this time? How can I check the current BIOS version?

2) "R2168M3" <<< You mean I need to flash to this Z2 bios so that I can upgrade to 8GB DDR3? Do I need to adjust other settings in BIOS after flashing this BIOS?

3) "Clear all passwords in BIOS! (including main, user and HDD passwords)" <<< I haven't set any passoword for my notebook. So this process can be igpored?

4) What Is the brand name of ORIGINAL 4GB DDR3 RAM installed in my Z36GD? Is it called "Micron"?
If I want to upgrade to 8GB DDR3, Could I buy 1 piece of Hynix 4G DDR3? Is it compaitible? OR I MUST buy 2 pieces of Hynix 4G and remove the original 4GB installed out?

Thanks for your kind reply!!!!

 

I recommend you try to install 8GB first to see whether your Z3 can boot up. If it cannot, then you may follow the process given on 1st floor. The latest official BIOS version for Z3 should be R3054M3. You could check your current BIOS version in "System Information" from the Windows "System Tools" inside "Accessories" in the Start Menu. (or check with Everest, or press F2 while you power on your vaio to enter BIOS setup and you should be able to see)

Z3 should be able to boot with 8GB with R2168M3. You don't need to adjust other settings. Just make sure you clean all passwords before you flash.

Yes

If you are referring to the 4GB model of Z3, I think the brand of the official memory modules used could vary in different regions. My own Z690 (made in USA) was equipped with 2 x 2GB Hynix. I'm not sure about other regions. You could check yours with Everest.

If you are referring to the 8GB model of Z4, the official memory modules are 2 x 4GB Micron (Part number: MT16JSS51264HY).

According to a reply in this post, 2 x 4GB Hynix is proved compatible with my trick. Unfortunately you will have to buy a pair of 4GB modules (most brands should work), as you will have to take out both 2GB modules preinstalled.

Hope this helps.

 

When Z1 was released Sony decided to be conservative (disable VT and only officially support 4GB maximum). When Z2 was released there were still no single module of 4GB for sale, so there was no need for Sony to worry about someone trying to install 8GB.

However when Z3 was released, Micron, Crucial and Corsair could produce single modules of 4GB easily. Sony calculated and predicted that stretching the life cycle of Z series longer could maximise their profit, so they planned to "add" the "official" support of 8GB in Z4 to show it is a worth upgrade and could better convince people to buy their new products. Therefore Z3 was sacrificed - they added a check in Z3's BIOS to make Z3 refuse to boot with 8GB.

 

interesting theory, probably spot on as well. Do you think flashing to a z2 (590?) or z4 (790) bios impacts the system in any way? may be different chipsets within the systems...has anyone flashed to 790 bios...that extra 1.5h battery life has to come from somewhere?

 

Not sure whether there are side effects produced by BIOS of Z2 / Z4.

Another working solution with Z4 BIOS on Z3:

http://item.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db1-7644e59da3a1ca3fa8429d356dfa3609.htm

 

I think flashing BIOS from different series will cause drivers for Z3 refuse to install (SONY drivers check Z series first). But that's just a guess.

 

Thanks for your reply.

2. According to the following post @ 8F (by you):
http://www.shopping01.com/topicdetail.php?f=258&t=1113969

You said that if we want to installed 8G RAM of other brands, then need to adjust the "Advanced -> Chipset Configuration -> DRAM Timing Settings".
Do I really need to do so before installing new 8G RAM?
If so, How to open Adanced BIOS Menu? I seems can't find that options.
Thanks very much.


4. Buying RAM is a headache issue for me as for Compaitibility issue. The choices for brands of notebook RAM are not so many in HK. Just for ADATA, Kingston, Corsair, etc... There are no Micron and Hynix brand/chips for DDR3 NB RAM in HK.
Could any Z users recommend which has the better compatibility?


(PS. Are you from China? I'm from HK. )

 

If you flash R2168M3 you don't need to change anything in advanced settings to have 8 GB work. Also, see the post that started this thread for reference to page that explains how to enable VT and advanced options in BIOS.

As for brands, just buy at the place where you can return RAM you bought. Buy it, try, return if it does not work.

 

That's an interesting point & I think that you may very well be correct. I've honestly not thought of that previously. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

No you do not need to bother with that. Just leave everything default.

I think all vendors should be fine, as long as they are legit. (I would try Corsair first)

Yes I'm from China

 

This is an interesting point Still haven't tested yet. Still have no idea whether flashing BIOS changes model number. At least Z1 and Z2 share the same latest BIOS version, i.e. R2168M3.

 

Sorry peeps so just to confirm the sony vaio z2 models can support 8gb of ram? just clarify this, all i'd need is a bios update...


regards

Aaron

 

Just upgraded my Z46 from 6G to 8G. The original 4G ram is Samsung and I add another 4G Hynix Ram. My system can boot in 8G without any problem.

 

The Vaio Z4/Z790 series officially support 8GB RAM, so you shouldn't be experiencing any problems.

 

To all who has upgraded your RAM to the full 8 gigs.

I have a Z90S (from the launch of the Z) and was wondering what kind of RAM is recommended.

If anyone knows a reasonable price and where, kindly let me know.

I'll have to get a set of 2 x 4 gig sticks. My current setup is 2 x 2.

(I'm in Japan and have been around many shops and nobody carries any 4 gig sticks...)

Thanks for your time.

 

Just like IsamuX. What brand is good out there? Also, will going from 4Gb to 8Gb a big different? I have a feeling that it won't seen the graphic card on our Z isn't that powerful and the whole system won't able to utilize the whole 8Gb

 

I think that the best is Micron MT16JSS51264HY as people had successfully used them in Z gen 1-3.

I am using a Z46. The original 4G Ram is Samsung M471B5273BH1-CF8. I just added a Hynix HMT451S6MMR8C-G7. So far so good.

Micron and Samsung may be very difficult to get from the retail channel. Maybe you should try to get the Hynix. Mac Pro is using Hynix and thus it is more popular. If you are in Japan, I think that you can get the Hynix. Try to search the Hynix part number in yahoo and google Japan website and you should get pricing info.

 

http://www.micron.com/products/partdetail?part=MT16JSS51264HY-1G1

status: EOL pending

for those who installed 4 x 2, what programs do you guys installed?
thinking of continue using 2 x 2 or get 4 x 2 ...

 

I need to run two Virtual Machines and thus I need more RAM. If you are not using Virtual Machines or Photoshop, I think that 4G is enough.

 

The best 4gb density Ram available at this moment is the Crucial varient (on there website), its cas 7 but only uses 1.3v, the rest are 1.5, so its just slightly less volts but this is notebook ram so every little helps right.

 

Utilizing 8GB of RAM (need to run 64-bit OS for that) has nothing to do whatsoever with how powerful (or not) graphics card in Z is. If you don't know what you need 8GB for then you do not need it.

What some of us need it for:
- running virtual machines that need to stay in RAM to be very responsive
- running 64-bit Photoshop editing very large images
- editing HD video in a 64-bit video editing application
- rendering complex 3D scenes in a 64-bit 3D application

All the above are better done on a dedicated desktop computer. But some of us do not use desktop computers and have Z as a primary workstation.