Z11 with Windows 7 x64 - any point upgrading the RAM

I'm looking at pushing my Z11 past 4GB RAM, ideally to 8. But I understand the maximum is on 4GB. Can anyone confirm?

 

It should be able to handle 8 GB, depending on the BIOS version, and the manufacturer of the RAM used (there have been several threads about this - certain Micron RAM apparently works with 8 GB, while other RAM is limited to 4 or 6 GB).

I have a US Z-590 myself (which should be similar to the European Z11), and decided to upgrade to faster RAM instead of more RAM. So I got 4 GB of RAM that clocks at 5-5-5-15 instead of 7-7-7-20.

 

I tried 2 4GB's out of a couple of Z51's (they are not going to 64-bit, so no point letting them keep the 6GB RAM) - tried replacing and it didn't get past the BIOS.

So, I tried mounting one 4GB and one 2GB (in the same way as the Z51), and it worked fine.

 

I was wondering this myself, as to whether I could upgrade my Z11WN to 8GB. I was thinking of purchasing one of the following:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=CF8BE2DCA5CA7304

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=8C3061DDA5CA7304

Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks.

 

There are no overclocking options in the EFI for the Z, so it will run both the above listed RAM types at DDR3-1066 (PC8500).
It does honour the SPD settings for latencies, though, so unless the DDR3-1333 memory has a specific SPD setting for running underclocked, it will actually end up being slower at 9-9-9-24 2T instead of 7-7-7-20 1T.

As to whether 8 GB will work or not, that depends on the RAM and the BIOS version. According to some threads here, the Z is very picky, and will only run with 8 GB for certain sticks of RAM, and allegedly some models have to be flashed to an older BIOS version even then. The speculation I've read is that when the first 4 GB modules came out, they did not work as pairs in the Z due to high power drain, and because of this, Sony disabled the ability to run 8 GB in the newer BIOS version. But then Sony came out with new Z models with 8 GB RAM, so it was enabled again for the newer models.

My advice: Only try it if you can get a refund for the RAM if it doesn't work in your computer (even if the RAM itself isn't at fault). And check the threads here where 8 GB memory in Z has been discussed.

 

DDR3 & 8G RAM - underclock or not, the question would be if you really need that much ram for any particular reason, if not have some fun playing with readyboost - with memorystick to our advantage isn't funny how much you can get out of such a small device yet it works also as an emergency when you need some harddisk space to transfer media on the spot

 

arth1: Thanks for the interesting response with regards to the RAM specifications. I'll see if I can find out what people have done about running 6GB/8GB on the Z11 series. I've read about Micron RAM working before, which is why I checked-out Crucial. Even if I could pump it up to 6GB, I'd be very happy.

moofo: I'm running multiple VMs for work-related reasons, so the more RAM, the better! I'm already using ReadyBoost, and while that helps improve the performance somewhat, nothing can beat the performance boost gained by an increase in RAM itself.

 

True to that Perx hence was wondering the reason behind it Im playing around with readyboost currently, as I have quite a number of SD card laying around lol

Just curious, does VM runs smoother with better harddisk and the way you setup it up?

 

Funny you should say that, I just upgraded the hard-drive for that reason - to a Seagate 500GB. I've just installed Windows 7 64-bit onto it and spent the last couple of days getting it all to work nicely; I think I'm just about there!

My previous tests in Vista with the standard 250GB drive gave me about 55MB/s read speeds, but in Windows 7 with this Seagate, I'm getting a fraction under 100MB/s. Hopefully it'll improve the performance of my VMs somewhat!

 

Sorry, to resurrect this old thread - I have the same laptop (a UK Z11WN) and am thinking of nudging it's lifespan up a bit by upgrading the RAM (I also run VMs on the machine).

Currently I have 4G - which according to the tool on the crucial site is the maximum supported, has anyone out there had any luck with pushing it to 6G or 8G?

Cheers
Finn

 

Check my reply above - 6GB was the best I could get using 1x4 and 1x2

 

Ah thanks - do you remember the brand/specs of the chips by any chance? Or recommendations if not?

Cheers
Finn

 

I actually liberated it from a Z51 (I think) which was only going to have XP 32-bit installed, so there was no issue with branding.

I'm out of the country at the moment, and that laptop is sitting at home, so I can't tell you I am afraid.

 

OK, just for future reference for anyone else out there - I ordered a 4G module from Crucial and everything went fine so I took a gamble and ordered a second 4G module - and surprise, surprise - after installing it a few minutes ago it works! 8G recognised with no problems.

I suspect that when the last BIOS update came out that enabled VT it may have also enabled a higher memory limit...or maybe I just got lucky with the chips.

This is the module specs from Crucial:
CT51264BC1067 204-pin SODIMM DDR3 PC3-8500 • CL=7 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1066 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 •

Thanks again
Finn

 

Welcome to the 8gb club lol.. I got this one and it works flawlessly too.

OCZ 8gb Kit SODIMM PC3-10666 2X4GBKit 1333MHz 1.50v

 

FinnN, daleski75 - I have a Z11VN - is this likely to take same RAM? What UK supplier did you guys use (if UK at all) ?

 

Be careful, Z11 refers to VPC-Z11 which will correspond to VPC-Z12 and very likely VPC-Z13 too. Your laptop is VGN-Z11VN, which is from the old generation of Z series, and which might not be able to use this RAM.

 

I used lambda-tek for the memory for my VPC-Z11

 

Aha... OK, thanks :-(