Tz Help!

Hi,

I have just purchased a TZ17GN from Hong Kong with U7600 (1.20 GHz), 1GB RAM, 100GB HDD, to be used in the UK. It will be with me next weekend! Really can't wait!!!

I am looking to upgrade the RAM to 2GB with a single 2GB module. Initially I thought all the TZs has the same memory bus speed, but when I look into my TZ17GN spec sheet, it says it is using 667 MHz memory bus, while other TZs like TZ11, TZ90 or TZ190 all seem to have only 533 MHz memory bus??

So which one should I go for, 533MHz or 667MHz? Could anyone suggest anywhere to buy this 2GB module in the UK? As I noticed most UK memory suppliers don't have TZ17GN model in their memory configurator, I'm wondering can I use the memory module for TZ11 model in my TZ17GN? Would that compatible?

Many thanks and any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

Its a typo, get the 533 ram.

 

I don't think it is a typo though. From what I have seen, all SonyStyle websites selling TZ17GN (especially in asia) show its memory bus speed as 667 MHz.

Also, to confirm this, when I used the Kingston website memory configurator to find the compatible memory for TZ17GN, it also gives me the 667MHz module!

So it seems that the TZ17GN has FASTER memory bus than the rest of the TZ-series model!!! (?)

 

It's propably just using 677 Mhz, still running at 533.

2GB 667 is cheaper now than 533, in Netherlands anyway.

 

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the input. I just wondering why there isn't any possibility that the TZ17GN is REALLY running at higher speed at 667MHz? Is that because the hardware can only running at 533MHz? Because, on the specs sheet, it not only says the memory used in the machine is 667, but ALSO stated the memory bus speed is 667 MHz.

 

Yes i think so.

I am not 100% sure, but my guess would be that the specs are wrong.

 

Say I go on and buy the 667MHz memory module, but in reality the system can only supports 533 MHz, will the 667 MHz memory work with the system?

Or vise versa, will 533MHz memory work in a 667MHz system?

 

Yes

No, it may work but may be unstable.

 

So I guess the best bet for me is to buy a 667MHz memory, just in case. Or otherwise, the 533 MHz memory might be unstable with they system which 'could' be really running at 667MHz memory bus speed. Anyway, it would great if anyone here own a TZ17GN could confirm this please.

By the way, I'm wondering how to check the memory bus speed in a laptop system?

 

The 667 ram should work but will perform at 533 because thats what the motherboard can support max. So no difference in getting either type of ram, your motherboard will go up to 533, thats it.

 

667 is the cheapest anyway, so get that.

Take Kingston Value Ram 667Mhz, it works fine with TZ.

 

I found this Value Ram on the Kingston's website:

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/con...w.kingston.com/ukroot&ktcpartno=KVR667D2S5/2G

Part Number: KVR667D2S5/2G

Would that work for the TZ17GN?

Thanks Phil!

 

I think I getting more and more convinced that the TZ17GN does indeed running FASTER memory bus than other TZ models!

http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/vgn-tz17gn_b/specifications.html

 

buy the cheaper 667 memory you are limited to what frequency the motherboard can handle it would just downclock the memory to 533mhz

 

Yes.

price in netherlands is 99 euro cheapest. You should be able to get a similar deal in UK.

Bytheway, I had to press quite hard to get the memory all the way in the slot. Harder than I thought would be necessary.

Well you have it right, why do you check in the Sony utilities you can read it out.

I find it more likely that your TZ is running at 400 Mhz than 667 Mhz

Because Sony utils somehow lowers it to 400 Mhz

 

@ kkhauw

I bought the same model in HK this summer also bought
a KVR667D2S5/2G (in HK for 900 HKD). The TZ supports
two modes 400 Mhz or 533 Mhz.
I thinkm in Vista it is default set to 400 and in XP 533.
You can change the speeds with Vaio utils, 400 or 533.

Unless you want to use the ram in another computer in the future
buy the cheapest of them, 533 or 677.

Good luck

 

Thanks for all your input guys!! I am very much appreciated!

@ cwu02001,

I'm glad to hear that you have the same TZ17GN and work fine with the KVR667D2S5/2G memory. I think I will follow you and Phil advice to get this for my TZ.

By the way, did you guys mean that in Vista I can set the memory to run at 533MHz from the default 400MHz ? Or I can only do this in XP mode?

 

hey guys I think I will give my 2 cents comment

when Sony advertise 667, it means it can accept 667 Memory module, but as Processor will be running at 533, and due to Mobo/chipset configuration (HW side, but again I don't know about current generation of muliplier/FSB, etc), so in summary, it will only be able to run at max 533...

Or.. anyone managed to hack/tweak their TZ to run at 667..?
Intel states that 945GM can do 667. (link below), so there must be something holding it back...
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/945gm/945gm_diagram.htm

 

Hmmm...this is interesting...!

 

You can set the memory speed in two "modes"
Fast: 533 (Faster perf. but uses some more juice form the battery)
Normal: 400 (vice versa)

Dont know what big perf. jumps it might give. But I think Vista Experince Index (Test) gave me like 0.1 or 0.2 more, not affecting the total score.
Couldnt "feel" any more battery time either... So up to you what to choose.
The option to choose which mode is available in both Vista and XP, they use the same kind of application.

I wouldnt dare to tweak some bios or sim. to get the 133Mhz more "533-677) who know what could happen to your precious one...

Btw if you feel that your TZ perform little sluggish I would recommend you to install XP. A whole new experience in speed...

 

cwu2001. Yes I feel that I should install XP..... :-(

 

... can you expand on where this windows utility would be? I can't find anything about changing memory speeds

 

which sony utility? There are 80 forms of bloatware on the esupport site none of which specifically name ram speed alteration as a feature...

anyone?

 

Go into VAIO Central, click on Performance. You'll get the option to change the memory speed there.

 

i c.... i clean installed and never re-intalled "vaio control center"

 

Same here - anyone?

 

Guys, bloatware is software you DON'T need, and yes, the TZ comes with a lot of it. You DO need the Sony Utilities, and should download them. Otherwise, you two are going to spend the next year downloading them one at a time, as you keep tripping over lost functions you realize you need. It's not THAT much disk space, quit being so stingy.

 

lol.. once again a post that does not know which piece of software has this tool..

 

Actually, it's a post that doesn't say which piece of software it is. I know which utility you need, but if I tell you - as the saying goes, "if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to want a glass of milk." You need to seriously start figuring out how to do things for yourself. You keep asking lazy questions. I did a clean install of Vista on my TZ150 last Monday, the day after I bought it, without half the questions you've had.

Also, you wouldn't post a link to the fingerprint applet in that other thread to help someone else; you just posted that they should search for it, despite the fact you knew where it was, or at least how to find it. Why help you when you won't help anyone else? Why is searching a good idea for them, but not for you?

 

Sorry I didn't mean to start a flame war...

Despite searching the forum, where a lot of people are listing detailed instructions for clean installing, no one specifically mentions this application.

Please relax so we can keep this a productive forum for all.

Thanks,

ZK

 

ps I do have the sony utilities installed. I have the shared library and the other sony utilities. I have had them installed since my first boot...