Laptop Memory options

[joddle]

I have a Dell 6320 laptop which is running pretty well although it only has 4gb of ram installed as two 2gb cards. On my desktop machines I need to install put memory modules in matched pairs, but as the laptop often only has one slot filled this perhaps is not so important in this type of machine!

My question therefore is; Is it possible to remove one of the 2gb cards and replace with a 4gb card to give me a total of 6gb of ram (i.e. unmatched cards) - I would like really to replace both with 4gb but that means junking two good 2gb cards.

The machine is supposed to have a max of 8gb of ram but I have also read in several places that despite what Dell says, it is possible to load 16gb on the machine, but as this is an expensive option to go wrong I am not going to try it unless I can be sure it would work OK. - One option may be to get a single 8gb card and put it in with one of the 2gb cards to see if indeed the machine can run with above 8gb specified - but that will depend on if it is essential to have matched ram modules.

Any thoughts please!

 

[Rustys]

What Operating system and Version?
32 or 64 bit?

As far as matching the GB no. Using a stick that is not made or matching the other that is in the system then yes there could be issues.

 

[KenB]

I looked at the M-Board specs for your laptop.
The specified M-B that I found suggested 8GB max.
If this is the case then if you put more in - it would not be recognised.

If you put your specific details into this Crucial site this will confirm - click here
You can input the details or download the scanner on the right hand side [ or both ]
[ you need to agree to the terms and conditions ]

 

[joddle]

Thanks for the above. I am using w10 64bit with all the latest upgrades and updates. The machine has an i5 processor.

I am aware that both Dell and Crucial say the max is 8gb - but one can find many of these machines for sale already loaded with 16gb and on the web there are several forums where people have stated they are using 16gb without any issues. So why do Dell say one thing and people discover something else?

My second point is that at the moment I don't want to waste too much money on making all my old memory redundant - so is it viable to add just one 4gb chip to replace one of the 2gb modules - or do I need to replace both? - in which case I will have 8gb but also two redundant 2gb cards!

 

[KenB]

If you use the Crucial scan [ download ] it should indicate if the RAM needs to be a matched pair.

It is good practice to have a matched pair of modules installed.
If the RAM is not matched then the system will run slower.
2 x 2GB is better than 1 x 4GB
This may not be noticeable - it obviously varies from machine to machine.

If you are going to up-grade then you may as well do it properly.

I have looked again and cannot find anywhere that says that you can go above 8GB with your machine.

 

[joddle]

See these links - they seem to suggest 16gb is OK!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Latitude-E6320-Intel-Core-i5-2540M-16GB-RAM-320GB-HDD-HDMI-Laptop-Win/283380889356?hash=item41fad1370c:g:~k4AAOSws7FcZutF

https://www.compuram.biz/memory/dell/notebook/latitude/6000-series/e6320/
https://www.compuram.biz/memory/dell/notebook/latitude/6000-series/e6320/16gb-dual-channel-memory-kit-x4287.htm

 

[KenB]

Depends on the Motherboard that is fitted.
It is the M-B that decides the max RAM

Download Belarc from here - click here
Install and run it.

It will analyse the hardware on your laptop.

What does it say under "Main Circuit Board" ?

 

[joddle]

I have had a few other things to attend to but now I really need to think about upgrading the RAM in my Dell Latitude 6320. It has been updated with the latest version of W10 64 bit and is running pretty well but I have noticed it runs out of steam on larger processing jobs and so I want to at least up the Ram from 4gb to 8gb ram. When researching memory on various websites I see there are some choices to be made and would like to know more about the effects of just two of them.

The first question is: Will I notice any real difference between 1330Mhz and 1600Mhz RAM? The price difference can be quite a lot - some sites suggest using the faster ram but many suppliers supply the lower speed,

The second question is regarding PC3 or PC3L - My PC manual suggests I need PC3 1.5v ram but can I use the lower voltage PC3L - and would that work or even damage anything? I have seen suggestions that the 1.35v ram will work fine in 1.5 machines but 1.5v will not work where 1.35v ram is specified.

 

[KenB]

Hi
Earlier I wanted to confirm which motherboard you had fitted.
[See previous post - June 27th]
The M-Board decides the max amount of RAM you can install.

You can either let me know what M-Board you have or use the Crucial Scanning Tool - click here
This will tell you what the max RAM is and make suggestions.

Will I notice any real difference between 1330Mhz and 1600Mhz RAM?

I don't think that you will.

My PC manual suggests I need PC3 1.5v ram but can I use the lower voltage PC3L

Personally I wouldn't take the chance.
Some suggest that you can - but there are always others who suggest that it didn't work for them.
I would be inclined to stick with the manufactures recommendation.

 

[joddle]

Thanks Ken - I am not considering 16gb any more as there are so many conflicting opinions of if it works or not and so I am not going to risk the expense of two 8GB modules just to find out! The mobo information from Crucial also says 8GB max so I don't know why some think 16 is OK or how they justify it. So I am sticking with what the crucial scanner say i.e. 8gb max - its twice what I have now so should be OK for me for now.

 

[KenB]

I don't know why some think 16 is OK

It could be that the 16GB is a different motherboard.

The Crucial scan is usually accurate.

Let us know how you get on.