Upgrading RAM memory from 4 GB to 8 GB, what to buy?

fANAT1C · 26 Sep 2011

Hello all

I am considering upgrading my laptop's RAM from 4 GB DDR3 to 8 GB DDR3. Currently my laptop contains 2 strips of the following memory:

2GB 2Rx8 PC3-8500S-07-10 [x2]

Thought I'd ask you guys for help, as I do not know where to look for Samsung RAM, or any other 100% compatible RAM for my laptop. Well, actually I know where to look but how do I figure out which suits my laptop the best? I prefer to have the same brand of RAM this laptop came with, which is Samsung (my laptop is an Acer Aspire 8735G).

Also is it better to have 2 strips of 4 GB or would it be a better idea for me to buy 1 strip of 8 GB? I don't have any idea what type of motherboard this laptop's got, I can't seem to find it anywhere... I've used CPU-Z, checked my laptop's manual and service guide but nothing to find there.

Thans in advance

fireberd · 26 Sep 2011

Here is the Crucial Memory listing for your model. Crucial guarantees their memory to be compatible, many other memory companies do not.
Computer memory upgrades for Acer Aspire 8735G Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com

fANAT1C · 26 Sep 2011

fireberd, thanks for your reply in first place.

seems like a very useful website you gave me, I've checked it out and I will do a bit of research on Google and see if I can find a store in my own country that sells this type of RAM.

thanks for your help :), if anyone has anything to add feel free to share it! I don't want to end up buying the wrong memory.

stormy13 · 26 Sep 2011

Before ordering I would make sure that Acer will allow it to use 8 GB. According to the spec page for that model,

Acer Support: Acer Aspire 8735G Notebook Specifications

it only supports up to 4 GB where as the chipset in it,

Mobile Intel® PM45 Express Chipset

does support up to 8 GB. It is possible that Acer has bios limited it to 4 GB only.

rraod · 26 Sep 2011

Your laptop Acer Aspire 8735g supports a maximum of 8GB only.

2x4GB sticks will be cheaper than 1x8GB. Also if your laptop supports dual channel memory then it is better to have 2x4GB rather than 1x8GB.

So it is better to go in for 2x4GB sticks. But the old 2x2GB will be wasted.

You can also buy one 4GB stick and replace one of the 2GB ending up 6GB.

Samsung DDR3 2Rx8 PC3-8500S-07-10-F2 2x2 4GB memory

fANAT1C · 26 Sep 2011

rraod, I am aware that I can have a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. I don't think anything higher than 8 gigs would give my laptop a noticeably better performance anyway, if my laptop would be able to use more than 8.

where do I find information if my chipset supports up to 8 GB? It's not like I need the RAM very urgently, I just want to be more future proof.

A second option for me is just going back to the store where I bought this laptop and ask for more information there, but that would cost me extra money while I can replace RAM myself. Just need the correct RAM strips, anyway thanks for your help all!

rraod · 26 Sep 2011

This webpage from Acer support
Acer Support: Acer Aspire 8735G Notebook Specifications

mentions that for 32 bit Windows OS it is supplied with 2 GB and expandable to 4 GB
and for 64 bit Windows OS it is supplied with 4 GB and expandable to 8 GB.

As your system is supplied with Windows 7 64bit OS, your chipset supports upto 8 GB.

Acer says that the support for 32 bit OS is only 4 GB as it is the maximum a 32 bit OS supports.

A 64 bit OS supports more than 8 GB, but the limitation on motherboard chipset, processor and the memory controller on laptops sometimes limits to 8 GB hence the max of 8 GB.

So nothing to worry. You can upgrade upto 8 GB.

Big Tom · 27 Sep 2011

i order my memory from Crucial Technologies