How do I know the exact RAM module for upgrade.

IamLEGEND · 07 Dec 2012

Hi to all seven forum.
please guide me on this issue. I have a dell inspiron 14 n4050. and it had 2gb ddr3 ram. and I want to upgrade the ram to 4gb. but here is a little confusion. some system information softwares shows that the ram installed on this pc is 667mhz bus. and I want to upgrade the 4gb ram of 1333mhz. I attached those softwares snapshot, check them and guide me that is it really 667mhz or what.? if this is 667mhz then another 1333mhz 2gb ram would not compatible with it and I must purchased the exact same bus ram, either 4gb single or pair of 2gb with exact model and bus.
also tell me the ram model that which model is installed on this laptop.

How do I know the exact RAM module for upgrade.-ram.jpg

How do I know the exact RAM module for upgrade.-ram2.jpg

**Pauly** · 07 Dec 2012

If unsure you can unscrew side panel of machine and there should be a sticker on ram module(s) stating make model speed etc you shouldnt need to remove the ram to see sticker

IamLEGEND · 07 Dec 2012

for avoid opening the laptop, that's why I post snapshot here, see them,,
also any software told me the ram model is PC-3 10700, but a online hardware scan tell me that this is 10600. what the hack is this.?

online hardware scan suggested ram.

How do I know the exact RAM module for upgrade.-01.jpg

cpu z info

How do I know the exact RAM module for upgrade.-02.jpg

IamLEGEND · 07 Dec 2012

also tell me that 2x2gb ram better or single 4gb is best..

TVeblen · 07 Dec 2012

A common confusion. DDR stands for "Double Data Rate" and simply it means that the stick runs at twice the rate of the chips on the stick. The chips run at 667MHz, double that and you get 1333MHz.

The important spec is the 1.5v. Be sure your second stick is 1.5v also. PC3-10600, 1.5v.

For dual channel systems there is no real advantage to one stick over 2.

TVeblen · 07 Dec 2012

As for the PC3-10600, 10666, 10700 confusion:

kingscurate · 07 Dec 2012

Far easier to open laptop, look what it says on ram. Dont be scared

IamLEGEND · 07 Dec 2012

very informative, thanks.
now, I had Hyundai Electronics 2gb DDR3 667mhz PC310-700 RAM. so now, if I purchased 2gb DDR3 ram PC310-700 1.5v of Kingston, corsair or samsung, (because only these manufacturer available here) is it compatible and perform full DDR3 bus which is 1333.?

TVeblen · 07 Dec 2012

Yes, it should be. I have added DDR3 RAM to a few laptops using a different brand then the one in the machine without any problems, and I test them with Memtest afterward extensively (7-8 passes).

As long as the chip speed and voltage match, laptops do not seem to have as many problems as desktops in this respect.

(Note: I edited my post above and used the more common PC3-10600 name to avoid confusion for others. CPU-z rounds to 10700, but no one sells 10700!)

IamLEGEND · 07 Dec 2012

thanks TVeblen, very nice info you share with us, also you save some of my money. coz someone told me that my ram is 667mhz, not 1333, and I going to buy 4gb ram of exact 1333, and pc hardware shop owner did not replace 4gb with my 2gb ram. but now I got the theory, thanks again..