Maximum RAM in a laptop

blorg

I've got a Sony Vaio R600HMPD, which has 256mb built-in and 1 memory slot. Crucial (and Kingston) reckon that it has a maximum memory of 512mb, which is what I have it at right now (e.g. extra 256mb SODIMM.) Is there any chance it could go to 768mb if I put in a single 512mb SODIMM (don't think these existed when I got it, but they do now), or will this definately not work?

daywalker

if this machine uses pc133 then most likely it can only take 512 max, this is due to chipset limitations, the laptop most likely not boot

blorg

It does take PC133, but I have installed desktops with with 1gb PC133 no bother (2x512mb.)

daywalker

sorry just checked the chipset that your laptop uses can take up to 1gb, the most likely explanation is that the limitation was placed in the laptop by sony, only way to confirm is to email sony and double-check with them

the_syco

blorg wrote:

It does take PC133, but I have installed desktops with with 1gb PC133 no bother (2x512mb.)

http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/sony-VAIO_PCG_R600HMPD-laptop-4-nd2.htm

CPU - Mobile Intel® Pentium® III processor 1.20 GHz-M Supports Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ technology
256 MB (upgradeable to 512 MB) SDRAM SO-DIMM (PC133)

blorg

I am well aware that Sony specify the max as 512mb, and it might well have been when the laptop was first released (as it came with 256, had one free slot, and 256 was the max SODIMM available on release.)

However I suspect that it may be possible that it would actually take more, it would not be the first time that this was the case.

Does anyone know of any technical reason a 512mb SODIMM would not work with the factory-installed 256mb (which if I recall is inaccessible/unchangeable or I would be going for a gig.)

EDIT: I might try emailing Sony but suspect that the likely response will just be '512 is the max because that's what's written here' type thing (and they will probably try to charge me €30 for telling me that :eek:

blorg

As daywalker mentions, my Intel 830MP Chipset should theoretially support 1gb:

System Memory SDRAM Controller
 Single Data Rate (SDR) SDRAM Support
 Supports PC133 only
 Four integrated 133- MHz System
Memory Clocks
 Supports 64-Mb, 128-Mb, 256-Mb, and
512-Mb technologies
 Maximum of 1.0 GB of System
Memory using 512-Mb technology
 Supports LVTTL signaling interface

Now I can only put in a 512mb as there is only 1 slot, anyone have any idea if there are issues with 1x256mb and 1x512mb, or any other reasons that this might not work?

Nukem

Its 512mb RAM max (256 installed) thats the installed plus 256 in the extra slot

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/Manuals/Notebooks/R600/R600HMP/R600HMP_T_UK.pdf

Nukem (just google)

blorg

I am aware that is what Sony says. I am however wondering whether that is actually the case, as the chipset seems to support more.

EDIT: Specifically, it would be helpful if someone could suggest what the limiting factors on this are, e.g. chipset, BIOS, operating system, "first module has to be the biggest", anything else?

blorg

Well, got the 512mb upgrade, stuck it in and it worked, showing 768mb total now and working happily.

WizZard

Only saw this now. A lot of the old specs for max memory on laptops have changed because of newly available bigger memory sticks (e.g. SODIMM/MicroDIMM)

If the chipset can support the memory then it's most likely to work, although fairly old laptops may need a BIOS upgrade which may or may not be available.

Due to this I know my laptop can take 2GB memory, but 1GB MicroDIMM's are outrageously priced!