Help with upgrading my laptop's RAM

Kratos Aurion · 10 Jan 2013

First of all, here's my laptop's specs just so if they're somehow needed:
• Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• CPU: Intel i7 740QM (1.73GHz, Turbo2.93G, 6MB)
• Memory: 6GB
• Hard Drive: 640GB
• Screen: 15.6" LED 1366*768
• Chipset: Intel HM55
• Video: NVidia GT425M 1GB VRAM

So anyway, I wanted to upgrade my laptops RAM so it can handle heavy programs like Vegas Pro, Photoshop and CorelDRAW better than it does now since I have some heavy HD footage to edit. My fears come from the fact that i've never done this before in my life, so I wanna be aware of what i'm doing here before I completely screw my laptop up for good. My questions are:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• How do you install more RAM? I know it's a little "card" that you insert in a slot inside the laptop, but is inserting it enough or do you have to change the BIOS or install it manually or something?
• How do I know how much RAM my PC can handle? (EDIT: Already found out, thanks anyway)
• Is there anyway to know if the RAM is inserted well in the slot? I want to know this before I try it for the first time...
• Is it reccommended to make use of all slots, or the less slots used the better?
• Are RAM "cards" universal, or are some of them incompatible with certain computers/laptops?

Sorry for having such doubts, it's my first time doing this and I don't want to screw it up in any way. So this is what crucial.com had to say about my PC's RAM:

So should I go with their advice of 4GBx4 on all slots, or do you reccommend me any better setup?

Thank you for your time.

D3LL · 10 Jan 2013

Kratos Aurion said:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

This operating system is fine :).

Kratos Aurion said:

• How do you install more RAM? I know it's a little "card" that you insert in a slot inside the laptop, but is inserting it enough or do you have to change the BIOS or install it manually or something?

Yep its just as simple as inserting it inside the laptop. No changes have to be made in the BIOS or operating system. Easy right?

Kratos Aurion said:

• Is it reccommended to make use of all slots, or the less slots used the better?

It really doesn't matter how many slots you do or don't use. Either way it will work just fine.

[QUOTE=Kratos Aurion;2249082]• Are RAM "cards" universal, or are some of them incompatible with certain computers/laptops?[quote]
No RAM is not universal. I see you are using the crucial system scanner which is great and helps you buy the correct RAM. May I recommend you buy from there :).

Everyone has doubts when they do things for the first time. It's good to ask around. But I am sure you will be fine.

Also..... I would go with there 16GB configuration at the very top.

indianacarnie · 10 Jan 2013

D3LL is correct. Adding memory is very simple, just make sure that you've grounded yourself before starting and to take your battery out. If you're still apprehensive see if theres a tutorial on youtube for your specific machine.
Remember........ RAM is a good thing, the more the better!

Kratos Aurion · 10 Jan 2013

Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it =D

I was planning on buying on my local electronics store, and resort to crucial.com if stores are no longer an option. So my question is, if you ask the guy at the store for "DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 (non-ECC)" RAM, will he know what i'm talking about? Let me remind, it's Portugal we're talking about xD

And that is the exact type of RAM for my PC right? I got that from the crucial.com report, not sure if it's soemthing else in there...

Thank you so much for your help.

bobkn · 10 Jan 2013

You'll also have to mention that it's a SODIMM (small outline dual memory module, 204 pins) for a laptop. Desktop DDR3 (longer, 240 pins) would not fit.

I'm not sure how easy it is to access the RAM slots on your laptop. I've worked on a couple of laptops with two slots, where one slot was easily accessible, while the other required removal of the keyboard. I doubt that yours is like that, but I suggest doing some online searching before you buy the new RAM. (4 slots. Impressive for a laptop.) It would not require superhuman skill to remove that keyboard if you had to do that, but it requires more effort than just removing a panel on the back of the machine.

alphanumeric · 10 Jan 2013

In regards to your question about using all the slots. Keep in mind that along with a maximum amount of supported RAM, there is also a limit on how much you can add per slot. As an example my old Acer Aspire only supports 4 gigs max. It has two slots that support a max size of 2 gigs per slot. I can't just put one 4 gig module in, I have to use two 2 gig modules. In your case it looks like its 4 4gig modules for a total of 16 gig. Before you order though I would double check that your laptop does in deed have four slots and can support 16 gigs by looking it up on the laptop manufacturers web site. I have seen sites like that get it wrong every once in a while. You know what they say, measure twice, cut once.

Layback Bear · 10 Jan 2013

This site maybe of some help.
Repair Guide | Installation Video

Kratos Aurion · 10 Jan 2013

Layback Bear said:

This site maybe of some help.
Repair Guide | Installation Video

I put my model, and they gave me a ACER Aspire repair video xD

Layback Bear · 10 Jan 2013

If you can't find your exact model then their is not a video on that model. It was just a place to look that might help give you some idea of what is involved.

Kratos Aurion · 11 Jan 2013

Hey guys, I think I found one that's compatible with my laptop. It follows crucial.com's reccommended RAM's specs:

KINGSTON 4 GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10600 CL9 ValueRAM Laptop Memory Module (KVR1333D3S9/4G)

There's only one thing that's not the same as crucial reccommends: the voltage being 1.5V instead of 1.35V. I'm guessing this is kind of important, so might as well go look for another one or is it not a big deal after all?

Thank you for all your help.