Memory upgrade for TX651 (and TX in general)

Greetings !

I'm buying TX651 but I'm a bit confused about memory and possible upgrade.
Does TX series use standard SO-DIMM DDR2 modules ?

Furthermore, I'm confused about possible upgrades. Here what Sony says in specification sheets:

TX650/651: 512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR2 (512 MB x 1) (Expandable to 1GB)

TX670: 1GB PC2-3200 400MHz DDR2 (512 MB x 1/on-board) + (512MBx1) (Expandable to 1.5GB)

TX690: 1.5GB PC2-3200 400MHz DDR2 (512 MB x 1/on-board) + (1GBx1)

It seems that 650/651 model doesn't have built in memory (like 670 and 690 have) and it can only be memory fitted with just one slot. True or false ? Does this mean that I cannot expand memory to 1.5 GB if I buy TX651 ?

Thank you in advance !

 

Sorry can't find the link right now since i'm in a h urry. If you go to Newegg.com and click on Computer/Notebook, click on Brand, then Sony, then scroll down to the TX-651... you can view the pictures and check out the bottom of the laptop. It seems there is a memory-upgrade-slot there, though it seems it only has enough space to put one stick into it. From what you're saying, I guess t he 670 + 690 have on-board 512 ram.

It's also possible maybe this [the TX] is like the Compaq or HP widescreen laptop from maybe two years ago where there was a slot for the ram at the bottom of the laptop and a slot underneath the keyboard.

 

If it's like other recent T models, there is 512MB on-board and just one slot for a 172-pin MICRO-DIMM.

 

It can't be 172-pin DDR MICRO-DIMM because TX uses DDR2 memory.

 

Well there are DDR2 micro dimms available.

 

I actually called Sony about the TX650. It DOES support uot to 1.5GB RAM just like the others. Also the pdf spec sheet lists 1.5 as being the max, so I think that's just a typo on their site.

As far as the interface, I've only been able to find 200 pin DDR2 chips, so that's what I thought it took, and ordered accordinly a little over an hour ago. Guess I better find out. Anyone know where I can find any MICRO DIMM DDR2 chips should I need one?

 

is that for the tx651? tx650 does support 1.5GB. btw... does anyone know how many memory slots are available to the user? is it 1 or 2? anyone have this laptop yet?

 

I asked Sony about the TX650, but I think the TX650 and the TX651 are the same thing, at least I haven't been able to identify any differences, and the whole TX series uses the same chipset (915GMS), so I don't see why there would be a difference, much less why a higher end model would have less memory capacity than a lower end model (like the TX610).

I also called Sony back and asked about the memory interface, whether it was MICRO DIMM, or SO DIMM, but the rep I talked to wasn't helpful at all. She made me repeat the model name like 4 times, because she hadn't heard of it, and couldn't find it in her support system. So basically I was on the phone for 26 minutes to be told that the notebook uses PC 3200 DDR2.

All the TX series models have 1 user-uprageable DIMM slot.

Anyway, mine should be arriving on monday or tuesday, with a 1GB 200 pin SO DIMM, so I can verify then.

 

Difference between 650 and 651 (as far as I can tell), 651 doesn't have WAN Cingular built-in.

 

and also the 651 has a limit of 1GB because it doesnt have the internal 512 installed. my guess is that it is one user accessible slot on the bottom that supports 1GB max and a non-accessible slot internally that supports 512 max.

 

if you ordered the 650 you will have 512 internally and a 512 PC 3200 DDR2. if you got the 651 on the other hand, you will have a 1GB PC 3200 DDR2. post pics ASAP!!

 

There seems to be some confusion about the TX651, but I think I've got it all cleared up (just got off the phone w/ Sony again). The TX651 DOES have the same onboroard RAM as all the other TX models so it will support up to 1.5GB, but it does NOT have built-in EDGE networking capability (neither the SIM card, nor the antenna). According to the rep I spoke with, that is the only difference.

This site's TX651 listing reflects that:
http://www.myicube.com/subnotebooks/sonytx651.cfm

I ordered the TX651 from Newegg, who lists it as having EDGE capability, but the 1GB RAM lilitation (which Sony says is not correct). Guess I'm going to have to cancel it for now. Bummer. Thought it kind of wierd that Newegg's pics didn't show an antenna (detachable or otherwise)...

 

the tx651 DEFINITELY has a 1GB limit. the myicude website is wrong. also the tx651 is the only tx series model in the US so far that does have the cingulair WAN.

 

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=VGNTX651PB&LOC=3

 

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=VGNTX651PB&LOC=3

check the marketing specs pdf... 651 has 1GB max.

 

but no EDGE networking.

 

i think we all knew that

 

indeed ...

 

I also have a TX651 on order from Newegg. Same issue. I ordered a 1GB SODIMM thinking that the unit has no soldered memory on the motherboard and one socket. I expect to have to remove the 512 SODIMM and add the 1GB. I'd love to have someone confirm whether the 651 has only one socket for memory or it in fact does have a free socket and can support 1.5GB in contrast to some of the literature on the web.

 

Hiya,

I have a TX651P and it has an empty memory socket at the bottom.

So I'm *guessing* 1.5 since I have 512 right now + free slot.

 

Pro, is the RAM microdimm?

 

Sorry, not sure.

Manual says PC2-3200 400 MHz DDR2

The memory slot looks just like a normal slot (going from memory--it's been a while since I've bothered adding Ram to laptops).

 

I received my TX651 today. 512M soldered to the motherboard, only one Micro SODIMM slot available 200pin (empty). 1.5GB is the maximum memory configuration. No EDGE WWAN antenna or communication built in. SD card slot is built in.

 

Are you sure that it takes micro-DIMMs ?
I just had a look at transcendusa.com (RAM manufacturer) and their DDR2 micro-DIMMs have 214pins whereas the standard SO-DDR2 DIMMs have 200 pins.

Klaus

 

I just installed a 1GB sodimm from:

http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=54720

Working great! Fabulous company to order from too!

 

Zskylar, what do you think of the fan noise? Do you think the Tx is at all "flimsy"?

 

Fan noise has not been an issue for me at all. It comes on and off as needed but is not really too loud and certainly not louder than my Toshiba Qosmio (talk about fan noise). I don't get all these remarks about flimsy. It's structural integrity is fine. Sure, an all magnesium frame is nice but I went into the purchase knowing this had a carbon fiber frame and expecting it to be a bit of a compromise. But overall I am happy with the purchase. It is a lightweight, ultra with great battery life and one of the better screens out there. What more can I say.
Well, a faster harddrive and processor would be good- LOL.

 

Thanks for the feedback, and another perspective on the fan noise. I don't know if we'll see a new build with a different fan anytime soon, and i really want a notebook soon. Went to the SonyStyle store today in the hope they may have a model i could touch and smell. Dilemma: should I wait till I can actually hold/see one or pre-order vs. wait for potential Thanksgiving sales? One last question: reading the thread above and going to sonystyle.com i'm still not clear if the TX651 has an option of not having Cingular EDGE. I don't need it and don't want to pay extra for it. Also, any pics you may post?

 

Doc, the tx651 does NOT have the built in Edge. It's the only model currently available in the Tx series in the US (I'm pretty sure). The tx 650 WILL have the Edge when it's available..

 

what are the specs of that chip. what cas level is it.. cl-2.5 or cl-3? what brand on the chips on the sodimm? thanks

 

question for you memory experts... what would be faster?

1GB PC2-4200 DDR2-533MHz 200-Pin SoDIMM CL 4

or

1GB PC2-3200 DDR2-400MHz 200-Pin SoDIMM CL 2.5
??

both of these are compatible with the tx series. the big memory websites (mushkin, corsair, kingston) all recommend the PC2-4200. im concerned that the cas latency or 4 would make it slower than the PC-3200 with CL of 2.5 or 3.

 

Well since this notebook already has RAM built-in, you would be constrained by whatever the the lowest common denominator is between the two.

If the onboard RAM's CL timing is 4 and you bought the 400 Mhz SoDIMM w/ the faster 2.5 CL timing, not only would the new RAM operate at CL 4, but the system bus speed would be reduced to 400 Mhz. At least this has been my experience with desktops et al.

I would be curious to hear what the actual settings are. Anyone with a TX care to run CPU-z and post the memory info?

 

Guess I'll answer my own question. Here's the output of CPU-z on my TX610:

<html><head><title>CPU-Z Report</title></head><body bgcolor=FFFFFF>

<big>CPU-Z Report</big> <hr width=100%>

<small>CPU-Z version 1.30.</small>

<small>CPU(s)</small> <small><small></small></small> <small>Number of CPUs</small> <small>1</small>

<small>Name</small> <small>Intel Pentium M 753</small> <small>Code Name</small> <small>Dothan</small> <small>Specification</small> <small>Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.20GHz</small> <small>Family / Model / Stepping</small> <small>6 D 8</small> <small>Extended Family / Model</small> <small>0 0</small> <small>Brand ID</small> <small>22</small> <small>Package</small> <small>mPGA-479M</small> <small>Core Stepping</small> <small>C0</small> <small>Technology</small> <small>0.09 µ</small> <small>Supported Instructions Sets</small> <small>MMX, SSE, SSE2</small> <small>CPU Clock Speed</small> <small>598.5 MHz</small> <small>Clock multiplier</small> <small>x 6.0</small> <small>Front Side Bus Frequency</small> <small>99.7 MHz</small> <small>Bus Speed</small> <small>399.0 MHz</small> <small>L1 Data Cache</small> <small>32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size</small> <small>L1 Instruction Cache</small> <small>32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size</small> <small>L2 Cache</small> <small>2048 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size</small> <small>L2 Latency</small> <small>5</small> <small>L2 Speed</small> <small>598.5 MHz (Full)</small> <small>L2 Location</small> <small>On Chip</small> <small>L2 ECC Check</small> <small>enabled</small> <small>L2 Data Prefetch Logic</small> <small>yes</small> <small>L2 Bus Width</small> <small>256 bits</small>

<small></small>

<small>Mainboard and chipset</small> <small><small></small></small> <small>BIOS vendor</small> <small>Phoenix Technologies LTD</small> <small>BIOS revision</small> <small>R0031V1</small> <small>BIOS release date</small> <small>08/05/2005</small> <small>Chipset</small> <small>Intel i915PM/GM/GMS rev. 03</small> <small>Southbridge</small> <small>Intel 82801FBM (ICH6-M) rev. 03</small>

<small>Graphic Interface</small> <small>PCI-Express</small> <small>PCI-E Link Width</small> <small>x63</small> <small>PCI-E Max Link Width</small> <small>x63</small>

<small></small>

<small>Memory</small> <small><small></small></small> <small>DRAM Type</small> <small>DDR2-SDRAM</small> <small>DRAM Size</small> <small> 504 MBytes</small> <small>DRAM Frequency</small> <small>99.7 MHz</small> <small>FSBRAM</small> <small>1:1</small> <small>CAS# Latency</small> <small>3.0 clocks</small> <small>RAS# to CAS#</small> <small>3 clocks</small> <small>RAS# Precharge</small> <small>3 clocks</small> <small>Cycle Time (TRAS)</small> <small>8 clocks</small>

<small></small>

<small>Software</small> <small><small></small></small> <small>Windows version</small> <small>Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600) </small> <small>DirectX version</small> <small>9.0c</small>

</body></html>

 

thanks for your efforts. i checked it a week ago but havent had time to come on the forums. it is cas-3. i ended up using a kingston pc4200 533mhz(cas4) chip whick clocks down to 400mhz cas3. got the pc4200 cuz it was a few$$ cheaper. i love this machine.

 

UPS delivered my TX650 yesterday. It's a beauty. The fan noise is noticeable, and something else: this is my first laptop, so I don't know if I'm just noticing all the "clicks, whirrs and other noises the optical drive (?) makes when it wakes up.
The question I have is: I opened the slot at the bottom and saw a memory chip already there. Is that the one which is soldered to the mobo and then I add the extra 1GB on top of that? So, in effect, you could see the original memory chip?
Thanks

 

clicks and whirls are normal. it checking what you have in the dvd player. and you should see to the right of the sodered chips an empty mem slot.

 

Can anyone comment on this fan noise that I keep hearing about?

Is it always on, or just when it heats up or what's the (big?) deal ?

Also, a friend of mine is selling his month old TX651 for $1800, is this a good price?

 

Fan noise is minimal. When the machine is idle, you really can't hear it at all unless you stick your ear down there and listen for it. It is slightly more noticeable when the system is under load and it ramps up a bit, but nothing out of the ordinary for a notebook. And while you can hear it, it's really nothing more than air moving about. No high-pitched whining or anything like that. If you find the fan on the TX intolerable, you're gonna be hard pressed to find ANY notebook to suit you.

$1800 would be an OK deal I suppose - should save you about $300 on a new one at the moment, but who's to say if they won't drop further, although I would be inclined to think that the 651 will disappear from the market given the availablity of the other TX models.

BOTTOM LINE: The TX is a phenomenal notebook for what it is (a thin and light). The only complaints I have are extremely nitpicky, and anything else I would say about it would be praise. I would not hesitate to buy one again, or reccomend this machine to others. In fact after checking out mine, a couple of my co-workers are seriously thinking about getting one, and my G/F is jealous as all hell.

 

so is it better to get a 512 so it runs in dual channel mode? or should i get 1gb