Vaio Z11 Series RAM Upgrade: Terrific Solution!

Hi, Folks!

I know that many of us have been seeking an inexpensive third-party RAM upgrade for our new Vaio Zs. Fortunately, I've found a great solution. Not only does this module use precisely the same RAM ICs as the currently shipping Vaio Z11 8GB machines, those RAMs just happen to be manufactured by the world's largest DRAM manufacturer (by far), Samsung. This module has been tested for over a week, and it has truly been a completely stable solution. Plus, I don't suppose that it'll hurt to point out that this is the least expensive 4GB DDR3-1066 SO-DIMM module that I can find in the United States right now! Moreover, it's sold by a very reputable vendor, whom I trust - EWiz.com (they're still making the transition from their old name, SuperBiiz). They've got great prices, ship fast, and stand behind what they sell - no, I have nothing whatsoever to do with them, other than being a customer.

Rock-solid RAM that's the cheapest, too! For details behind all the testing that allowed me to finally post this, see this thread (which started off as a look into RAM speeds on the new Vaio Zs). To pick these up, check out the Super Talent 4GB DDR3-1066 Samsung Chip Notebook Module at EWiz.com - literally priced below any other 4GB DDR3-1066 SO-DIMM on Pricewatch, as of 3/30/2010!

Have Fun!
Mark

 

amazon has them for a few more bucks... but if you live in CA you can avoid the sales tax via amazon

 

8GB of ram would certainly be nice but the price is still a bit too much for me.

 

Sorry we couldn't find anything cheaper than the cheapest available.

 

yea which is why i'm going to wait until these drop in price before upgrading.

 

So, the laptops come with a single 4GB stick and not 2 x 2GB? Is this the case with all the builds with 4GB?

Riley

 

Hi, Skud!

I'm trying to be careful not to convey an absolute answer on this one. Thus far, it seems that most folks who buy the pre-configured machines (standard models) have gotten 2 x 2GB modules. However, those who buy a CTO (Configure To Order) machine seem primarily to have received 1 x 4GB RAM module. It's dangerous to rely on this, however, since Sony could change this at any minute, and/or flip back and forth depending on their stock.

FYI!
Mark

 

Currently, Sony advertises that the CTO comes with a 1 x 4GB while the pre-configured come with 2 x 2GB.

 

Hi, GJBenn85!

Thank you very much for the positive confirmation on this. For those who want to move to 8GB anyway, that's a $150 cost savings on the CTO models. Very nice!

Cheers!
Mark

 

i bought pre-configured, it it was $150 to upgrade to 8gb i would take the jump but needing to replace both modules I will hold off and use that as an upgrade down the line when i get the itch for a new machine

 

This is my thinking as well. I will be ordering a pre-built soon (I'm holding off as long as possible to see what Apple has in store for the new Macbook Pros). If my unit comes with 2 x 2GB then I will stick with that as I don't want to have to scrap two modules plus purchase 2 x 4GB modules.

However, if it has the single 4GB module then indeed I will add the additional 4GB. If not for the extra memory then to put in dual channel.

Riley

 

Whoops - misunderstanding. Never mind!

 

This looks awesome - any luck on where to get these in Canada? Ewiz is charging an extra $50 for shipping!!

I know that Newegg has some G.Skill and Corsair 8GB sets for around $360-$400 but I'm not sure what chips they use.

 

Hi, BlueGT!

I'm very sorry - I'm completely clueless regarding the Canadian shopping scene. I did check Amazon.ca, but it looks like they only carry Super Talent's desktop modules. Can anyone else help out here? For what it's worth, I'm also now in the middle of testing a Hynix DDR3-1066 module. If nothing else, you might find that that's got broader availability, if we can't find the Super Talent Samsung module there.

Sorry!
Mark

 

That's a lot cheaper than 4GB modules I bought for my Z690 half a year ago.
Note that EWiz restricts 1 module per customer. Also, for 8GB configuration it is much better to buy modules packaged in pairs from the same batch (for stability). With EWiz you cannot be sure of that - they sell singles.
Otherwise, it's an interesting source of RAM.

 

Hi, ZugZug!

Just FYI, but DDR3 really is a different world than the DDR/DDR2 situation that we all became accustomed to. At the moment, I'm running one of these Samsung modules, along with a Hynix module (for 8GB), and everything's looking great so far!

Cheers!
Mark

 

Let's hope so because I surely want to move my 4+4 from Z690 to new Z11.

 

Hi ZugZug!

If your modules can indeed meet the DDR3-1066 7-7-7 spec, they ought to work just fine!

Cheers!
Mark

 

Sorry, duplicate post.

 

Hi, Folks!

In response to my email, EWiz was kind enough to give us an alternative. While it's a little more expensive, they've emphasized that this listing of the exact same module (about $10 more - $10.86, to be precise) is NOT a single module/person, so that if you're fixated on getting two of the identical module, you can do just that!

Cheers!
Mark

 

Hi, Gang!

Something may be a little wonky with EWiz's website (perhaps since they apparently just provided this for us). If you see a URL in your browser which ends in CJ, manually change it to a PW, even though that's what's in the source code here. Sorry about that!

Regards!
Mark

 

Darn - another double posting. Sorry!

 

Hi, Folks!

FYI, so far, the testing on the Hynix is looking great! Even in my oddball configuration (one Samsung 4GB module + one Hynix 4GB module), everything's just working flawlessly! I'm not calling this completed yet, but I'll probably be able to some time tomorrow or Saturday. Assuming that all continues to go well, the advantage of the Hynix modules is that they have much broader availability, and aren't that much more expensive than the Samsung (about $8, from EWiz as of this writing). I'll let you know when I declare this to be rock-solid!

Cheers!
Mark

 

Hi, Gang!

OK, I'm done with this one, too! For long-term use here, I'll continue to run with both the Hynix DDR3-1066 4GB SO-DIMM (HMT351S6AFR8C-G7N0), as well as the Super Talent / Samsung DDR3-1066 4GB SO-DIMM. Both of these modules have worked perfectly, both are very attractively priced, and even the mixed combination continues to be rock solid. OK, Z11 owners, you've now got two alternatives to create either a 6GB or an 8GB system configuration. Enjoy!

Cheers!
Mark

 

thanks for the posts guys...i've bought the super talent 4 gig stick in prep for getting a CTO z.

 

Can anyone tell me what's the best place in Canada to buy those? I don't think Canada Computers carries any of the brands mentioned.

 

would like to know also a source in canada that can pickup these ram modules...cause the cost of shipping them up to canada is like 50 dollars

 

I am not sure if it works but I like Mushkin RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226020

 

Hey guys, there's a sale for this EXACT module for $111.98 w/ free shipping at the same link( here). Have fun!

 

H! guys! Is Samsung DDR3-1066 SODIMM 4GB M471B5273CH0-CF8 ( http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-DDR3-10...787?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eae50ed23) compatible with VPCZ11?

 

It should be, except check your VPCZ11... the RAM in mines is 1333 mhz. I think they advise you to get the same speed of RAM(even if the Vaio can only utilize 1066 mhz). But i'm no expert really... can anyone else weigh in? but i mean if you were to buy 2 of them, then yeah it should be fine, but if you already have 1x4gb module and you want to get another, then you should check.

 

Thanks! Now I have confirmation from sony service center about this RAM module fully compatible with VAIO Z11. I need 2 modules cos already have 2x2gb

 

It looks like the price for the RAM posted through the link is down to $45. If I'm not fully using the 1x4GB that I currently have (usage usually lingers around 50-55%), would adding a second 4GB stick have any effect on my laptop/its performance?

 

With what you're saying about your RAM usage... most likely not. In any case, you can get 1x4GB stick of DDR3 RAM for ~$30 nowadays in the US, find them on slickdeals, when they get posted. Unless you're going to run VM's or encode/decode tons of media, etc. You most likely wont notice any performance boost, 4gb is more than enough for most people.