What is this kind of laptop RAM called? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 09:56:25 am
content: RAM is in a 15 year old Toshiba Satellite and I want replace it with 4 or preferable 8GB. What is this kind of RAM? Is it SODIMM?If I get an 8GB module, will it work okay alongside the existing 2GB module or would I have to take that one out?

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:17:01 am
content: Okay, so I figured out it is a SODIMM.I still need to know, can I run a pair of unequal size memory modules?

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:24:21 am
content: Strike that, i made an error and can't read... It's a 3, not a 2...I need new glasses...The recommendation for Kingstons RAM finder still stands though:https://www.kingston.com/en/memoryAnd i will edit this to deathMismatch in size should work, but getting two equally sized modules helps performance, since that way you can propery use multi channel over the full memory size.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:24:45 am
content: Looking at the SPS code, it finds one of a same type on ebay, and description is:hynix Ram 2GB 1Rx8 PC3 - 8500S - 7 - 10 - B1HMT325S6BFR8C - G7 NO AA 1030(https://www.ebay.com/itm/293286895744)So it's a SODIMM PC3-8500S memory module.You may be able to use unequal size memory, better to check the vendor manual for details

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:35:26 am
content: Okay. Looking on ebay and my local computer shop there are newer ones much more readily available that can run at a faster bus speed. Would it be okay to use faster RAM or do they also run on lower voltage?

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:38:27 am
content: Quote from: Ranayna on March 26, 2025, 10:24:21 am

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 10:44:44 am
content: Any DDR3 is OK, any DDR4 of course is not.There is a low voltage variant, but these should be labeled DDR3L, PC3L or 1.35V. And I'm not even sure if they are damaged by 1.5V or if the sole difference is that they are guaranteed to still operate without errors at lower voltage. I guess you can always look up the datasheet of the DRAM chips if in doubt.Performance with mismatched modules isn't worse than with a single one. That being said, if you can find suitable memory cheaply then there is no reason not to just pack it fully with two largest modules it will take.

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 11:09:40 am
content: Okay... one last question - the laptop can use a maximum of 8GB and it has two slots. To use 8GB would it be necessary to use two 4GB modules, or could it address the full 8GB using only one slot?

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 03:22:35 pm
content: Note: search on web whether somebody was able to install even more than 8 GB on that laptop model.Often(*) the stated value from the vendor for the max supported memory is actually the biggest memory available at the time the computer went on sales. Then if later bigger memory modules became available, they might just being ignored by the vendor, even if technically working.(*) a few times instead it's really a technical limit, like the number of memory address lines on the PCB.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2025, 06:34:33 pm
content: Yeah, memory compatibility is sometimes lottery, particularly if pushing the limits.I have a desktop board nominally good for 16GB, but it took the 4x8GB set I installed. Then I tried another 4x8GB set and it didn't work, but it was OK with any two of those modules.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2025, 03:07:13 am
content: Quote from: magic on March 26, 2025, 06:34:33 pmYou need to check the specifications carefully, some are "double-sided" and some are "single-sided" and I believe what that really means is the number of bank addresses. You may also find references to "raw card X" where X is any letter --- which is a SODIMM variation standardised by JEDEC.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2025, 08:14:59 am
content: For the 8GB, there is no 1R on SO DDR3-modules that I know of, so you are good to go.For 4GB-modules, 1R should work as well as 2R (since this laptop supports 8GB modules).Going for faster DDR3 speeds (PC3-10600, PC3-12800) usually works, but it is not always a given thing, very much it depends on how good the BIOS is and if the SPD on the module is programmed correctly (that's no issue with major brands, like Samsung, Hynix, Micron). However dedicated 8GB PC3-8500 are a rarity, so just go with the 12800 (1333MHz). Likely, there is no benefit from faster modules, though.The "L" low voltage variant is compatible with 1.5V "normal" voltage, however the normal 1.5V modules not always work with 1.33V low voltage machines.