How far to upgrade laptop memory? - upgrade hits BSOD!

edgex

Laptop is a Dell Inspiron 15 (1564)
Intel Core i3 330M @ 2.13GHz
running Win 10 64-bit

Currently has 3.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 532MHz, & can regularly be hitting 90% usage. Arranged as a 2GB & 1GB modules.

Crucial scan tool says that it could go up to 8GB (2x 4GB modules)


Wondering if it's worth changing both modules, or just the 1GB to a 4GB to give 6GB?

The new module would be a higher speed (1600 MHz), would it running at the current lower speed make much of a difference?

Neil_Jones

If you mix memory speeds the faster memory will throttle to match the slower speed.  But in the real world that makes little (noticeable) difference, the amount of memory is more important.  3Gb isn't enough these days, 4Gb is an absolute minimum.  If you're able to afford it up the memory to 8Gb.  And add an SSD if you don't have one already.  That will keep you going for some time.

When the laptop does die, you can reuse the SSD and probably sell the memory on.

[Deleted User]

edgex said:

Currently has 3.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 532MHz



The new module would be a higher speed (1600 MHz), would it running at the current lower speed make much of a difference?

Just to help your understanding of the memory speed - ie the 532 Mhz vs 1600 MHz in your post.....


Memory modules often quote two different speeds - raw Mhz and data rate MT/s and they are interchangeable. (MT/s = mega transfers per second)


Your current modules are 533 Mhz which means the data transfer rate is 1066 MT/s and this is because DDR = Double data rate - ie for each Mhz, the memory can transfer two sets of data (2x533) so your new memory and old memory compared is as follows:

533 Mhz = 1066 MT/s
800 Mhz = 1600 MT/s

So there will be about 50% increase in potential memory speed so well worth putting 2 new chips in new chips in to get the highest speed, you will be able to sell the old ones for a few quid as well to recoup some costs.

Neil is spot on with the post above, memory is just one factor, HD swap for SSD will give good bang for buck for speed increases. Increasing the amount of memory will help reduce the number of disk accesses when reaching 90% full but swapping for an SSD will ensure all other disk usages is as fast as possible for that laptop.

You will be able to get some more life and performance out of the laptop for a moderate spend and still be able to recoup some costs later if you decide to upgrade the laptop.

edgex

I've checked the processor specs, the memory types it supports are 'DDR3 800/1066'
So it won't support the full speed of new memory, but I suppose the memory could always be used in something else in the future.

Looking at pricing, i'll get the 8GB upgrade, it's actually £10 cheaper than if you bought the 4GB twice!

HereToday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ6X3MZ1gyw

SSD + 1 x 4GB or SSD + 1 x 2GB

The SSD will make the biggest difference with performance. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0781VSXBP/ref=asc_df_B0781VSXBP1619164800000/

or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC3PGZM/ref=psdc_430505031_t2_B0781VSXBP

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224000001435

getmore4less

I have done a 1+2->2+4 on a sony laptop and its been fine with 6

you don't need to be paying cruicial price of £48  

as well as ebay check CEX

My Local(collect) CEX had some  for £8(£7 now),  picked on of the 3 they had. 

if they had a matching pair might have gone for 2x4  


https://uk.webuy.com/search?stext=ddr3&view=list&categoryIds=939




with the SSD upgrade?

As well as amazon, Crucial have a sale on BX500 and MX500

edgex

Well...
Swapped over the memory, computer boots, but then gets a BSOD with 'KERNEL SECURITY CHECK FAILURE', & fails to restart itself.
I've had to put the old memory back in.


This is what Crucial say will work
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/inspiron-15-(1564)
"  CT2KIT51264BF160B "
https://uk.crucial.com/scanview/BCF7CCC131D926C3

Dell support say the max ram for this motherboard is 8GB
https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/DELL-1564-RAM-Upgrading/td-p/3962583

This is what was bought
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BP501AS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"  CT2KIT51264BF160BJ "
which is also on the RAM itself


So, next step is to create a USB version of Win10, & see if that can run the repair process, or at least do something!

ann_droid

Is this the comparable one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005LDLVAO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Not the BJ version?

   Crucial 4GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM     In Stock

   Crucial RAM CT51264BF160B 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz CL11 Laptop Memory , Green    In Stock

        Crucial 4GB DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204pin 1.

edgex

The one I bought is what was in stock, & I checked that the different speed to what was installed wouldn't be an issue.
All the other details are identical.
Having just looked up what the difference is between single & double rank, it shouldn't affect it actually working.

HereToday

edgex said:

Well...
Swapped over the memory, computer boots, but then gets a BSOD with 'KERNEL SECURITY CHECK FAILURE', & fails to restart itself.
I've had to put the old memory back in.


This is what Crucial say will work
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/inspiron-15-(1564)
"  CT2KIT51264BF160B "
https://uk.crucial.com/scanview/BCF7CCC131D926C3

Dell support say the max ram for this motherboard is 8GB
https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General-Read-Only/DELL-1564-RAM-Upgrading/td-p/3962583

This is what was bought
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BP501AS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"  CT2KIT51264BF160BJ "
which is also on the RAM itself


So, next step is to create a USB version of Win10, & see if that can run the repair process, or at least do something!

Send the RAM back and get the correct modules: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2GB-4GB-8GB-Memory-RAM-Laptop-PC3-8500-DDR3-1066MHz-204-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-Lot-/324156574368

edgex

How are they wrong?