Memory Upgrade - Slot issue

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33coupe

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#138046 18-Dec-2013 05:37

I was looking to upgrade my Toshiba Sat Pro L650 from 4GB to 8 because its constantly using 3gb, and I always have multiple tabs / applications.

I have just realised that I only have two slots and they are both occupied by 2GB each.

That means I will have to take one out and only have 6GB.

For a little bit more money I could buy 2 x 4GB but they are PC3 8500, and not 10600 which it is currently running.

Would I be better off with 1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB (10600), or 2 x 4GB 8500?

Thanks

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#954026 18-Dec-2013 07:22

Memory speed makes little difference in practice, according to benchmarks I've read. Going from 1066MHz to 2000 or so MHz gives a 10% benefit to benchmarks, but little real world benefit.

More RAM will probably be better, but 6GB and 8GB are fairly close so I doubt you'd notice much if you only use 3GB typically. If you can afford 8GB without any problems sure, go for it.

NB: you need a 64 bit operating system to access more than 3GB RAM.

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#954028 18-Dec-2013 07:35

You might also have to check (or someone to confirm here) if this specific motherboard accepts different RAM sizes/timings in each slot or if you have to have both of the same.

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33coupe

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#954034 18-Dec-2013 08:04

Thanks for the replies. Yes mine is 64bit.

Thats good to hear that the speed wont make any difference.

I think I read that if there is two different modules (diff speeds), it will only run at the slower speed. I Could be wrong tho.

As for the motherboard, that is kind of what I was trying to ask.

The slower one is $22 cheaper, so I'll buy one or two, depending if they have to be matching or not.

Anyone know?

Cheers

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#954109 18-Dec-2013 10:23

You need to find out the max ram for your notebook. Dont assume it will recognize 8G RAM
Have a look on the Kingston(RAM) website, its very helpfull with this.

33coupe

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#954220 18-Dec-2013 12:19

Thanks for that. My max RAM is def 8GB, I read the specs on the toshiba website.

I'm not sure if I can mix the RAM though

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#954239 18-Dec-2013 12:39

It looks like all the L650 models support 8GB, I'd be going for the 2x4GB at 8500.
Depending on your model the graphics adapter may be sharing the main memory too, so more is always better.

If you added a single 4GB module then mixing sizes should be ok, I usually ensure the larger module is in slot 1.

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#954242 18-Dec-2013 12:44

Yeah I'm pretty sure the graphics memory is being shared.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll have to think if I can afford (and need) 2 of them.

Thanks

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#954249 18-Dec-2013 12:57

What do you use the machine for? Since you only directly use 3GB of RAM the extra is really just for caching of programs and data to prevent hitting the disk. That could be useful for processing images, but not so much for word processing.

Does the machine have an SSD? It makes them MUCH snappier, virtual memory benefits too.

33coupe

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#954287 18-Dec-2013 13:45

Nothing too strenuous, I mainly use it for browsing (always several tabs on the go), word, excel. converting videos etc.

I doubt it has a SSD, they are pretty expensive tho arent they?

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#954294 18-Dec-2013 13:50

I got a 128GB SSD for $200 odd, a Samsung 840 Pro. The non-pro model is very good I've read, $150 for 128GB.

I doubt you'd get much gain from a lot more memory, but it may be a bit snappier. An SSD would make it boot faster, programs load faster, but again no huge gains.

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#954311 18-Dec-2013 14:03

The performance difference between SSD and HDD is like night and day. You probably won't notice the RAM upgrade, it's like getting a bigger wheelbarrow to carry the same amount of stuff, no real point.

If you need more space than the SSD has, you could get an external caddy for the HDD you replace, or get an adapter to mount it in the optical bay.

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33coupe

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#954484 18-Dec-2013 20:07

Ah right, thanks for that.

Just out of curiosity, will either the SSD or more RAM help display HD videos?

My laptop gets all blocky when trying to display 1080 video. or is that something different all together?

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#954510 18-Dec-2013 21:19

That's more than likely the video card or the codecs in use.
If VLC Media Player gives a blocky picture, it's your video card and you can't upgrade that on a laptop.

What brand and model laptop?

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#954513 18-Dec-2013 21:25

To clear up my earlier post. When I say SSD performance, I'm confirming what timmmay said.

My boot time went from 2:30 ish to under 30 seconds including POST time, programs load MUCH faster too.

33coupe

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#954544 18-Dec-2013 22:10

Thanks for that. Yeah it must be the video card.

That is a huge change in performance.

Sorry to sound like an idiot, but does the SSD replace the hard drive in the computer, or is it additional?

With the amount of pics and videos I have, I do need at least 750gb.

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