Maximum RAM in SZ

What is the maximum ram a sony SZ can take ?...I know 2GB seems to be the limit...but reading around Toshiba Core Duos can take a maximum of 4GB

 

You're right, 2GB is the limit for the SZ.

 

Apparently it does work with 4gig. Although it says max of 2 gig.

I've had very bad experience with Toshiba, 6 out of 9 brand new Toshiba came out of the box with 4 bad pixel, 1 bad memory, 1 bad usb port. We got all replaced but the build quality is really bad compared to Sony.

 

The motherboard determines maximum memory--why in the world would you need 4GB of memory anyway? It's obscenely expensive and 2 GB should be more than enough for the time being.

 

xp pro has a limit of 4gb

i dont know what the limit is on the motherboard in the sz

most likely 4

 

The official limit is 2GB. However, someone has posted a success story for upgrading to 3 GB.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=81422

Somebody else tried to upgrade to 4GB and failed
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=100670

It could be that his stick is not really 2GB per stick.

Since there is no official support for upgrading to greater than 2GB, I recommend that you buy from a vendor that receives return.

 

The max RAM supported in Win XP is about 3.2GB or something so if that guy installed 4GB, he'll not be able to use all 4GB of RAM in Win XP.

 

2 GB are definitely OK by now, but I guess Sony should start working in order to improve that...

 

Use OCZ memory.......low clock speed & latency.....less than 3 at least.....no need to go beyond 2 GB.

With 2 GB I have 4 OS runnning using VMware.......

Regards!

 

2GB was not enough for me and VMWare - 3GB is just fine.

 

I was just curious....because I've installed Vista on a SZ1VP with 2GB ram.....its not as quick as I thought it would be...I was hoping for very mininmal hard disk usage, but that was not the case....I just got this feeling the 'sweet spot' for Vista is probably 3GB RAM (which is ridiculous I know)..or more.

 

More than 2 gigs of ram? Wow, I guess for you guys but thats wwwaaayyy overkill for me, but its just me!

 

depends on other hardware specs too besides mem......

Software issues could be the reason that even using VM 2 GB aint enough for ya.......

with 2 GB I can run windows XP, Linux, Sun.....

Regards!

 

All SZs including C2D models recognize only 3gb. I installed two 2gb sticks on my SZ. The bios recognizes only 3gb, not 4gb. By the way, even if the bios recognizes the full capacity of 4gb, Win XP can handle only 3.5gb or below.

If you use Vista Ultimate like me, 2gb memory is a must. 3gb is optimal.

 

Have you tried to install only one stick at a time? It should show 2 GB per stick.

 

Pretty much all Dual Core based laptop have a limit to 3GB. You may put up to 4GB, but only 3GB can be used. This is due to how memory mapping in done in the processor.

JY

 

Yes. each slot recognizes full 2gb. Even Vaio Central shows that my SZ has two 2gb stick on it. Even the dual channel boost is enabled with two 2gb sticks, which I cheched with some benchmark applications Only bios and OS (vista) recognizes 3gb.

 

I've read from PC World Magazine and experts did a test between a 2gb of RAM and 4gb of RAM inside the computer, where the result came out to be not much of a difference. So I think it is kind of wasting money to make the computer a bit faster. I also learned from my Computer Information System class that having too much RAM inside your computer can be a bad thing. So, I think there's a reason why Sony said 2gb of RAM is the max, even though 4gb of RAM works after installing it. Therefore, I strongly recommend you not to put more than 2gb of RAM inside your computer.

 

No. More ram is always better. Problem is the cost. In my case I paid only $250 per 2gb stick (Ebay). So the cost was ok.

you are definitely wrong. Much ram is always better, if the cost is not a problem.

When it comes to the performace difference, it depends upon what you do with you computer. If your main job with your computer is just word processing and web surfing, even 512mb will suffice. In my case, I run some huge programs like Matlab, which is a resource hog. For me, even 2gb is not enough.

Also, the perfermance difference will be much bigger if you run Vista on your vaio. Windows XP (32bit) is a bit old, and simply it cannot handle more than 3gb memory correctly, even with the support of hardware DEP and with /PAE option. Except for Vista, the only OS from Microsoft which can handle more than 3gb memory is windows 2003 server and XP 64bit edition. Without hardware DEP, 32bit Windows XP SP1 can handle 3gb memory with "/pae" option, but very inefficiently. Win XP SP2 cannot handle 3gb memory, if the machine does not have a hardware DEP function.

I strongly recommend to put more than 2gb memory if you can afford it and esp if you run Vista Ultimate or Enterprise or Home Premium version. If you run just Vista home basic, 512mb will be acceptable.

 

Actually, strangely enough, I also remember reading a thread on notebookforums.com that at times, too much ram can actually slightly degrade performance. Anyone know more about this?

 

More RAM is better? It all depends if the computer can us it or not. If the computer cannot use the RAM, then it really gives you no benefits. I mean, you could put 8gb in really. I don't think most of us are in the league to purchase that kind of prototype stuff, but even if we were, I would venture to guess that our humble SZ's could not utilize it efficiently. I would agree that more RAM is generally always better, but I am not sure we have the BIOS's right now or even the software to use much more than 2gb...maybe three but that really does not make much sense but may eek you out a few microseconds, and I do not believe 4 is doable at any level of efficiency or real performance increase.

This would be a great bench experiment. Two current SZ's, one with 2 and one with 4 or even 8. My gut says we would be underwhelmed.

 

I think that you are correct. It has to do with the computer being able to use the RAM. You have to be able to efficiently access and allocate across that RAM. Think about hard drives. Can you imagine putting one of these new Tera bit hard drives on an old 386. Sure it could use the masses of storage, but at what penalty? Heck you would have a tough time just creating a disk directory or a file allocation system.

I am sure that one day we will be there. Then we can debate whether we really have software or OS's which require 16Mb RAM (Flashback to Apple IIc days and reading that 128k would be plenty for YEARS)

 

I already wrote. SZ can support upto 3gb. I can personally confirm this. I put two 2gb sticks on my SZ. Once the memory is recognized by BIOS, the efficiency of memory usage is determined by operating system. So your claim is correct if you run windows 98 on your machine.

When it comes to XP, it cannot handle more than 3gb memory correctly, although the technical limit of any 32bit OS is 4gb. However, still more memory is better if you can afford it. Simply run Adobe photoshop and edit some photos.

Why? It is because more memory means less dependancy on HDD, which is the slowest part.

"Too much memory can actually slight degrade performance." This is correct, if you run win 98 or windows me, but not for win 2000 and win XP and win 2003 server, which use NT kernel. Again, performance difference depends on what you do with your computer. If you uses your vaio just as a typewriter, there would be only little difference between 512mb and 3gb memory installed. If you run Matlab on your vaio, the difference would be remarkable.

 

It depends on what you're doing with your machine. If you're doing general stuff (surfing the web, checking e-mail, running Office), 1GB of memory is arguably enough for most people.

If you're doing more intense things which require a lot of memory such as VMWare or Virtual PC/Virtual Server, CAD, graphics work, music production (where you're running a lot of VSTs), memory is cruical.

As has been noted, the difference is cost. 2GB memory dimms are heinously expensive. No 32-bit notebook can scale beyond 3 - 3.5GB of memory even if you have 4GB in there. If you want all 4GB of a 2x2GB config, you'd need a 64-bit version of Windows.

There are no 4GB 200-pin notebook dimms I know of and I can't imagine how expensive they'd be. So the person who said someone should do a comparison at 2, 4, and 8 should think again - it's impossible right now on most normal notebooks.

I have 3GB and it's just enough for me. I tend to be a power user. The cost was well justified (my 2GB dimm was $460).

 

To have a total of 3GB in an SZ, is it necessary to change both SODIMM memory sticks to 2 GB, or is it possible to use a 1GB and a 2GB? There seems to be conflicting advice on this. Anyone out there used the mix of memory sticks? Thanks.

 

I use one 1GB and one 2GB. Works just fine.

 

And for those of you who don't use over 2GB - here's a snapshot of my Task Manager a few minutes ago. I'm running Outlook, Word, IE, Explorer, and four VMWare virtual machines.

 

Not everyone using SZ is a strong user like yourself. Most of us 2GB is consider more than enough

 

Oh I know. I just know most people rarely see this much use of a laptop. So it is possible

 

A question for those who have a 2GB RAM module. What module exactly did you buy? Kingston, Noname? Where?

 

I got mine from Dell when they were on sale for $450.I've seen them on eBay as low as $380.

 

Do you still have the Dell Part#?
Was it Dell memory or Kingston sold by Dell?

 

Mine is Samsung.

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Sem...M/Module/SODIMM/M470T5669AZ0/M470T5669AZ0.htm

I paid $250 at Ebay. I remember that one vender sells this at $250 as well.

 

Check here ( www.cc-solutions.com/cgi-bin/catalog/sku/M470T5669AZ0-CD5.html) They sells this module at $250. However, I don't know how reputable they are.

By the way, Samsung makes the best memory. Their 2gb module works very well on my SZ

 

Thanks a lot for the link.
I ordered them at cc-solutions.com, and I have now 1GB + 2GB. Works great! Vista feels much better under load with 3GB RAM.

 

So the conclusion is that 3GB for a SZ4MN/b is okay?

I've got Vista Business and I'm running:

• iTunes
• Sidebar (3 gadgets)
• Firefox (3 tabs)
• FTP folder
• Folder
• Dreamweaver (3 pages)

and it's already at 45% of memory used up. I really do think I need more cause I quite often use Photoshop and InDesign at the same time, no problem back at XP but doubt this Vista will play along.

Is this 3Gb limit on XP only or all 32-bit OS?

I was thinkng about getting Crucial ones?

Sure that 2+1 mix is okay? Thought that dual-channel works best with same amount?

 

45% is normal. Memory works nothing like XP. Vista will take RAM anyway so programs can take it if the need arises.

 

Soo.... you almost answered my questions.

The last question was:

Sure that 2+1 mix is okay? Thought that dual-channel works best with same amount?

 

2+1 works. Dual-channel is very likely faster, but I don't know how much.
2+2 is too expensive for me at the moment, especially as you can't use the full 4GB. If 1+1=2GB is enough RAM for you it is likely the fastest and cheapest solution.

 

Not even under Vista = 4Gb??

Well I really do believe I want more RAM for my applications to run smoothly.

 

Under 32-bit, no. 64-bit, yes. Under 32-bit the most you'll be able to access is either 3GB or 3.5GB.

 

Hmm - another whole gig of RAM is still quite good.

 

I installed 2x2GB but BIOS only recognized 3GB so I am not sure even with 64-bit Vista we can have 4GB on SZ. It looks like 3GB is the max.

 

Hmm well only one way to find out... lol

Not just yet though. Too expensive for 2x2Gb!

 

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2006/08/14/699521.aspx
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html
http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/bb/ftopic117376.html

HAve fun!

 

Thanks for the pointers. I have read some of the articles even before buying those RAMs. I was just surprised that even SZ's BIOS can only recognize 3GB. On some other hardware I have (office's ThinkPad T60), BIOS recognized 4GB but Windows only takes <4GB. My understanding is that when the BIOS can't recognize all 4GB then even a 64-bit OS won't be able to see 4GB.

 

Usually 2x1GB RAM is more than enough for most users. 2GB RAM seem to be too expensive, may be in a future dat we have 4GB RAM then it will be cheaper for 2GB & 1GB become obsolite lol......

 

BIOS is a whole other issue external to how Windows uses memory. Much like Sony restricts the memory speed to 533MHz, Sony can decide to restrict maximum memory if it wanted to. We may not agree, but it's their hardware design.

 

Most but not me and thanks to Vista...