Other lenovo ram. How to increase RAM on a laptop: Tips
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The need to know how to increase the RAM on a laptop appears in cases where the RAM already installed on the device is not enough to run the necessary games or programs.
It is very important to resolve this issue in advance, since a module designed to work on a different bus or a larger volume than supported by a laptop will not work.
If the module is not changed, but added, its frequency and volume must match the parameters of the already installed one.
Although the device will be able to work with different slats, it will most likely be much slower - and there will not be much benefit from such a replacement.
For example, you are unlikely to notice an increase in performance when adding another 1–2 GB module to a 4 GB module installed in one slot, although you will spend some money and time on this.
The cost of memory for laptops is currently almost the same as for a computer. However, it has a special slot size that is half the size of PC slots.
For laptops, a smaller version, SO-DIMM, is required, which should be considered when ordering RAM in an online store or in a regular outlet.
Advice: if there are no more RAM chips for your laptop on sale (for example, it supports the still outdated DDR2 type), you still need to decide whether it is worth increasing the memory, or is it better to purchase a new gadget.
Memory installation
When the memory has already been selected and purchased, they proceed to install it on a laptop.
On some models like Asus, this will require removing the entire back cover and removing other elements that interfere with replacing or adding RAM.
Most often this applies to compact devices - mini-laptops and netbooks.
Most of the more modern devices allow you to replace and add a bar, spending no more than 2-3 minutes on it. To do this, you just have to:
- Disconnect the device from the network;
- Take out the battery;
- Open the cover of the memory module compartment;
- Remove old microcircuits (if they change), considering that they can be held on by latches;
- Install new memory until the latch snaps into place;
- Replace the battery;
- Close the lid.
You can make sure that everything is done correctly after turning on Windows and checking the amount of installed RAM in the computer properties.
In the process of increasing the memory, you should make sure that your actions do not violate the warranty for the new device.
In addition, if there is no back cover for quick access to RAM, you should read the instruction manual for this model.
In some Lenovo models, you even have to remove the hard drive for installation. Older laptops may require even more complex steps to access free slots.
For example, sometimes one or two slats are installed in different places.
Increasing memory with a flash drive
There is also a simpler and cheaper option, how to increase the laptop's RAM - moreover, without even opening its case and without buying new modules.
All that is required from the user is a free flash drive with a capacity of 4-16 GB and installed Windows 7 or a newer version.
In principle, the same method is also suitable for a stationary PC, whose memory is not enough for any actions, or simply the speed is too low for the user's purposes.
Reasons for choosing this method
The main reasons to choose a way to increase the RAM of a laptop using a flash drive can be:
- unwillingness to spend money on improving the configuration when replacing the device with a new one in the near future;
- lack of physical ability to install or replace the bar (outdated module type, faulty slot, etc.);
- the need to increase memory at the moment.
Operating principle
In the Windows 7 operating system, it is possible to increase RAM due to an additional paging file created on the drive.
The utility that allows you to do this is called ReadyBoost.
And you can call it by simply opening the properties of the flash drive and selecting the tab with the appropriate name.
Using this feature of the system allows you to increase the physical memory by the following amount:
- up to 256 GB for 64-bit Windows 7;
- up to 32 GB for Windows 7 32-bit;
- up to 4 GB on other operating systems, including XP, if you download the utility additionally (it is not built into the OS).
That is, if there is 2 GB of RAM on the laptop, it is undesirable to make the swap file size on the flash drive larger than 5 GB.
The effectiveness of the method is quite decent - when reading small files, the speed of work increases by about 5-10 times.
However, when working with large areas of data, the difference will be almost imperceptible.
Memory expansion process
In order to increase the memory you will need:
- Take any free flash drive with an interface of at least USB 2.0. However, the best choice would be to use USB 3.0, the data transfer rate (up to 5 Gb / s) of which is comparable to the parameters of DDR3 memory modules;
- Insert the device into the USB port;
- Format the flash drive (optional, but desirable) in NTFS format, which will increase the amount of possible memory from the maximum 4 GB for FAT32 to a much larger size.
- If there is any data on the media, uncheck the box "Cleaning the table of contents". This will increase the formatting time, but will ensure that the data that will now be used as RAM is completely deleted.
After a few minutes, a message will appear on the screen informing you that formatting is complete.
And after selecting the ReadyBoost tab in the properties of the flash drive, you can configure the required amount of memory increase.
So, for example, if the storage capacity is 16 GB, the laptop can use more than 15 of them.
In this case, the flash drive cannot be used to store data, and when viewing its properties, the following information will appear:
It is perfectly acceptable to use less flash drive memory. In this case, it can be used for other purposes as well.
True, before removing the device from the USB port, you should cancel ReadyBoost by opening the disk properties and utility tab again, but selecting “Do not use this device”.
Not always such actions will speed up the work of your games and "heavy" applications. But, at least, the speed of opening photos and videos is guaranteed to increase.
According to users who have tried this technique, the browser also works faster after its application.
Results
Having learned how to properly increase the size of RAM on a portable PC, you can, even with a not very productive device, increase the speed of working with it and even run those programs that were previously inaccessible for use - new games, the latest versions of video editors.
However, when increasing memory, it should be taken into account that for the operation of many gaming applications, the main role is played not only by the RAM, but also by the graphics memory of the video card, which, remaining at the same level, will reduce the efficiency of increasing the amount of RAM.
How to increase laptop RAM
Installing RAM in a laptop is not difficult.
Letters from our readers:
Hello admin, how to find out - how much ram does the laptop support? Now I have 4 GB of RAM installed, but the laptop is quite slow, I want to add another 4 GB of RAM, but I don’t know if it supports such a volume. Can this be found out somehow? There is no such information on the official website of the laptop manufacturer, just the amount of installed memory is indicated and that's it.
Please tell me, how much RAM does the motherboard support Asus P8Z77-V of my desktop computer? At the moment, two 4 GB sticks are installed, that is, only 8 GB, I want to buy another 8 GB, so that there is only 16 GB, but I doubt whether my computer will work with this amount of memory.
How to find out how much RAM a computer or laptop supports
Hello friends. Finding out what the maximum volume can be installed on your computer or laptop is very easy. First, you can visit the official website of your motherboard or laptop and look for the necessary information there. If you have a PC, you will certainly find what you need on the motherboard website. But if you have a laptop, then, as a rule, you will only be able to find out the amount of RAM already installed on the device. But about its maximum volume supported - in rare cases. What to do? You can download the AIDA64 program, and it will tell you everything about the RAM installed on your computer or laptop: the amount, type (SIMM, DIMM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3), frequency, timings, etc. If AIDA64 does not help, then you should write to the support of the laptop manufacturer.
Important note: Friends, please do not forget that if you have a new generation processor Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, (also applies to AMD), then you have a RAM controller not on northbridge , A in the processor itself. And the RAM modules are controlled by the CPU, not the motherboard. Therefore, the maximum amount of RAM should also be viewed in the description of your processor or on its official website.
Official websites of motherboards and laptops
Take, for example, an Asus P8Z77-V Pro PC motherboard with an Intel Core i7-3770 processor installed. If you go to the official website of the manufacturer Asus, to the page of this motherboard, we will see the information we need about the maximum amount of RAM (32 GB).
On the official website of the processor we see a similar indicator.
We also have another device - an HP Envy 17 laptop. But on its page on the official website you can not find information about the maximum amount of RAM. So, you need to contact the AIDA64 program.
AIDA64 program
AIDA64 is one of the most powerful computer diagnostic tools. It is paid, but has a trial period of 30 days. Official site:
http://www.aida64.com/downloads
Run the program, select the "System Board" tab.
Then - "Chipset".
The properties of the north bridge of the laptop open. The third line will indicate the type of memory supported, and the fourth - what exactly you need - the maximum amount of memory that can be installed in a PC or laptop.
Even lower will be indicated how much RAM is installed on the device now.
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Friends, if you are going to upgrade your computer on your own, check everything in the technical support of your motherboard or laptop before buying additional RAM. Or order memory at the official service centers of device manufacturers. And one more thing: additional RAM is not a panacea for slowdowns. More than 8 GB it needs to be installed, clearly understanding why - based on the use of some programs or games. If you want your PC or laptop to run 10 times faster,
If you constantly need to use programs on your laptop that “eat up” a lot of RAM, then you should think about adding some RAM. This will be discussed below. We will tell you how to choose the right RAM slots for a Lenovo laptop, and give recommendations for installing memory.
How to choose?
The first step in choosing RAM is to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the motherboard. You need to go to the official website of the manufacturer and find information about the maximum amount of memory and the number of RAM slots for a particular motherboard.
Next, you need to determine the manufacturer and a number of other parameters of the RAM installed on the laptop. To do this, you can use the program Aida64. After installing and running the software, you need to go to the "Motherboard" section and click on the "SPD" icon. You should see detailed information about the RAM. Some of the listed parameters will be useful for choosing new slots: manufacturer, size, memory type, speed, etc.
- The type of laptop memory module is called SO-DIMM. The type of memory can be different (the most popular is DDR3). In the program window, you need to find this item in order to understand which RAM is installed on the laptop.
- The memory speed should not exceed the motherboard clock speed. Another important condition is that all RAM modules must have the same frequency.
- The bandwidth of all RAM strips in total should be equal to the bandwidth of the microprocessor (ideally).
- Memory timings. This parameter is not too critical. It is worth focusing on the rule "the less, the better."
- Manufacturer. The best option is to use RAM slots from one manufacturer in the laptop.
How to install a RAM slot?
If you need a replacement or you need to increase the size of the RAM, then a natural question arises: “How to install it?”. So let's get to the point:
- In order to change or add a RAM slot, you need to turn off the power of the laptop, unscrew the back cover and remove the battery.
- The RAM slots are tightly fixed, so you need to unfasten the special latches and carefully remove the module.
- Next, you need to change the memory slot (s) and snap the latches.
- Then you should put all the spare parts in place.
To check whether the replacement of the RAM was done correctly, you need to turn on the laptop, go to the system properties and pay attention to the "Installed memory" item. If everything is done correctly, then the new amount of RAM should be displayed.
Important! RAM slots can be located in different places, so in order to increase the amount of RAM by installing new modules, you must first read the laptop's instructions (it should indicate where the slots are located).
Now you know how to change or add memory on a Lenovo laptop. It's not difficult, but there are many details to consider.