Upgrading RAM

[nashama]

Hi,
My laptop config:
Win7 Ultimate 64-bit
i7-3612QM,
6GB RAM DDR3 SODIMM 1600MHz (4GB * 1, 2GB * 1)
750GB HDD
1GB Dedicated Graphics /NVIDIA
To upgrade RAM, I've 2 options:
1) Replace the existing 2GB module with 4GB (to make total RAM of 8GB)
2) Replace the existing 2GB module with 8GB (to make total RAM of 12GB)
Which of these 2 options is better?
And does it make any difference (or any impact) to have 4GB + 4GB (same size) as compared to 4GB + 8GB (different sized modules) in the 2 slots of the laptop?
what if I don't get the same brand of RAM as the existing one in my laptop?
Regards

 

[bobkn]

Using the same-sized RAM sticks supports dual-channel operation. Not a big deal, but I'd go for it.

Mixing RAM may or may not work. On a desktop PC, the RAM settings (voltage, frequency, and timings) can be manually set in the BIOS settings, but those options may not be available for a laptop.

The least risk would be to buy two RAM modules in a dual channel kit, but that would be the most expensive.

(Actually, the most expensive would be to buy a pair of 8GB SODIMMs for 16 GB total. Your laptop would support that.)

 

[linnemeyerhere]

nashama,
A quick search shows that the max memory supported is 2 x 8gb @ 1600 speed. With the discounts available today I would replace both modules with 2 x 8 @ 1600 and you will see a marked improvement.
Crucial Memory Laptop Memory Category ,1600MHz Memory Speed MHz ,16GB Total Memory Size at TigerDirect.com
Keep in mind 2 x 8gb @ 1600 will also make a huge difference and of course be less money.

 

[Britton30]

Here's a good deal too, it has a lower CL, which will help performance.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9

 

[nashama]

Thank you all for your replies.
I hope its not a big job to replace the RAMs (which is not scheduled for immediate replacement, but definitely in near future).

And I hope this does not require the laptop to be reformatted when you upgrade the mem. Just replace the 2 modules and you are good to go. Win7 will automatically detect its new mem assignment. Correct?

Also, what shall I do with the page file after I upgrade the RAM (16GB RAM is sufficient for the life of this laptop and probably for me too ......... as long as I go ahead with this machine !!)

The opinion about page file is not too clear on this forum (atleast what I've read until now in so many threads) .......... some say "kill" it with so much of RAM to standby, some say "leave it to Win7 , it knows better what to do (for sure it manages mem better than WinXP ...." ... some say "assign definite size as min and max so that the page file won't expand or contract out of these limits" and some say "never mind, Win7 will still allocate it as and when required even without your setting" ....

 

[Britton30]

You should have a panel on the bottom with one or two screws to access the RAM. There will be a clip on each side of each RAM stick which you GENTLY push out and the RAM will pop up. Just reverse it to install the new stick and push it down to re-engage the clips. Oh, power it off first, when done restart and all should be fine.

People are vehemently divided on a page file and size. I still have one but I set a minimum and maximum of 4GB. Some program will look for a page file regardless of the amount of installed RAM. Others will, of course, disagree.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

It's about as easy as easy gets and it will make a difference as soon as you re-boot the first time. If you photo edit in Photoshop at all then the extra capacity and speed will be quite noticeable and if so then consider 1 x 8 gb at first and then add another later if you want of if needed.

 

[bobkn]

The RAM upgrade on the Lifebook AH532 looks fairly easy. A large panel on the back must be removed. It's held in by 4 or 5 screws. When the cover is off, most of the motherboard is visible. The 2 SODIMM slots are right there.

It's nicer than some laptops, where the keyboard must be removed to reach the second RAM slot. (That's not as bad as it sounds, but makes damaging something a little likelier.)

You don't need to do anything to Windows to get it to use the new RAM. If you don't want to use hibernation, I suggest turning it off in Windows. Otherwise, an amount of space on your system drive will be reserved equal to the amount of RAM. (Hibernation saves an image of the RAM onto the hard disk, and reloads that when the PC is restarted. It restores the operating state. but it's slow.) This is mainly important if your OS drive is an SSD. (Recommended.)

 

[Britton30]

It's about as easy as easy gets and it will make a difference as soon as you re-boot the first time. If you photo edit in Photoshop at all then the extra capacity and speed will be quite noticeable and if so then consider 1 x 8 gb at first and then add another later if you want of if needed.

It's best to get a matched kit, even the same model numbers purchased at different times may conflict and decrease performance.

 

[Pedroc1999]

if you buy a new higher speed 8gb (1600mhz) then it is worth it specialy because ram is cheep these days, also dual channel(a 2 module kit) will give you a small performance boost

 

[nashama]

Thanks for your suggessions yet again.
You guys are too good at understanding the subject so well (I feel you know my laptop better than I know it myself !!)
And I hope I'll gain something from the information, experience and expertise you possess.

@ linnemeyerhere : " ...... then consider 1 x 8 gb at first and then add another later if you want of if needed."

@ Britton30 : " ..... It's best to get a matched kit, even the same model numbers purchased at different times may conflict and decrease performance."

I guess 8GB is good enough but since these sticks are not very expensive in this part of the world, I might go for 16GB (2 * 8GB) once and for all.

Regards

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Good idea and just shop around you should be able to score a nice discount, free shipping and the like !

 

[nashama]

I shall do so & re-activate this thread once I'm through.

By the way, is it really important to check for CL-XX rating of these sticks (or CK-XX , I'm not too sure)

 

[kbrady1979]

CL stands for CAS Latency. Generally, the lower the number, the better. There is a LOT of math involved if you want to figure the best relationship between the frequency(MHz) of the RAM and the CAS latency. Generally, for 1600MHz RAM CL-9 is the baseline. So anything below 9 would be "better" as far as performance. Will you actually see a difference in day-to-day computing.........more than likely not.

If I were you, I'd try to find either a 2x4GB or 2x8GB kit that runs at 1600MHz and CL-9.......probably easiest to find and best bang for your buck.

 

[nashama]

Yes, I'd go for 2 * 8GB sticks.

Can you confirm how much exactly is the page file size assigned by Win7 if you have 16GB RAM?

 

[nashama]

Installed !!

2 * 8GB RAM modules !!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Very nice...

 

[whatabombom]

Hi if you want to upgrade your ram go get the spec for your machine whatever it is as i know they can only have a certain amount of ram for certain machines like mine is a 4 gig max ram support thats 2 gig a side with a dual core processor, good luck with your upgrade

 

[nashama]

Dear linnemeyerhere,
A short while ago I received an official email from Fujitsu-Germany saying that the pdf file/ catalogue posted on Fujitsu's website means that it can only THEORETICALY support 16GB RAM.
Further, he says only 4GB modules are approved for this notebook.
(I assume he implies only 2 * 4GB modules are practically supported; it CANNOT practically support 2 * 8GB = 16GB RAM).
Personally, I don't see any reason why a latest 3rd generation i7-3612QM cannot address 16GB RAM on its motherboard.
I have come across atleast 4 authentic INTEL sources that suggest (and agree with my instincts, though I'm not a computer expert) that this motherboard should support 2 * 8GB RAM :
ARK | Intel® Core
Intel i7-3612QM Review and Specifications
What kind of RAM is compatible with the Intel i7-3612QM processor?
What is the maximum amount of memory that the Intel i7-3612QM processor can support?

I asked him to check back again with the technical/ motherboard design team.

 

[nashama]

Ofourse, Intel says it can address 32GB (which I'm not betting to be addressed on this motherboard) .... but atleast 16GB ........... considering motherboards design constraints or whatsoever limtations practically applies.