buying laptop ram help please

[gorobei]

is laptop memory mix and match nowadays?

i'm about to pull the trigger on a new tablet pc convertible and i wanted to order some more ram at the same time.

it comes with 4gb ddr3 1600, so i was going to get another 4 now(8 total), and possibly get 2x8gb later.

can i go with corsair value $25 and not have to worry about incompatibility in some of the timings or is it pretty much sorted out PnP?
i know it will drop to the lowest common timings, but would i be any better off waiting until i get the laptop and opening it up to see the exact timing specs of whatever they shipped with?


or would i be better off
- ordering 16gb now?
- waiting for 16gb to drop in price whenever the next standard come out (soon im assuming given how long ddr3 1600 has been defacto) or are ram prices the lowest theyre going to get? ($82 ish for 2x8 amd/geil/gskill right now)

 

[kbp]

Go to Crucial website and get it there. It's usually cheaper than the "EGG" and will let you know what is capatible.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Check that the laptop even has two SO-DIMM slots before you buy anything. Some of the newer ultrabooks/laptops only have a single slot. Some even have the RAM soldered to the mainboard and are non upgradable...

 

[gorobei]

its a tradtional laptop just with a flipable screen, mostly for business types so no thin chic soldered stupidity. there are 2 slots 1 empty for upgrade.

 

[corkyg]

Just go to Crucial and enter your make and model, and it will show you compatible SODIMMs. You should be good to go.

 

[Turbonium]

Yea go with Crucial if you're not entirely sure what you're doing. You pay slightly more as far as I know, but they do all the compatibility checking for you, so you don't have to worry about that part. It's also quality memory from what I understand (i.e. it's reliable, not necessarily the fastest in terms of CAS latency and such, but that is irrelevant to 99% of consumers).

 

[gorobei]

crucial is recommending their CL-9 ddr1333, the laptop specs are for ddr1600.

the fujitsu website only has pdf with just ddr1600 and no other latency specs. guess i'll just have to wait until i get it and use cpuid.

 

[RossMAN]

If you have a Fry's Electronics nearby they have Patriot 16GB SODIMM for $69 out the door

http://www.frys.com/product/6792335?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[Turbonium]

crucial is recommending their CL-9 ddr1333, the laptop specs are for ddr1600.

the fujitsu website only has pdf with just ddr1600 and no other latency specs. guess i'll just have to wait until i get it and use cpuid.

What is your CPU? And what is your laptop make/model for that matter?

 

[gorobei]

thanks for the heads up.

ill have to check my folder of past frys deals to see if i've been following sodimms. i keep the pngs from stuff i'm interested in to see the price fluctuations over the year.

looks like a decent price for 1333. i really hate shopping sometimes. the uncertainty on good deal or not drives me batty. god help me when i decide to stick a ssd in there.

 

[RossMAN]

thanks for the heads up.

ill have to check my folder of past frys deals to see if i've been following sodimms. i keep the pngs from stuff i'm interested in to see the price fluctuations over the year.

looks like a decent price for 1333. i really hate shopping sometimes. the uncertainty on good deal or not drives me batty.

I don't usually buy Patriot brand RAM but I bit on this deal for a few reasons:

Available at my local Fry's B&M for instant gratification or Frys.com + $1.99 shipping.

Positive reviews here and here

Free customer service and lifetime warranty which other major brands also offer.

If you're using Chrome, Firefox or Safari I would recommend installing The Camelizer which is freakin' awesome.

god help me when i decide to stick a ssd in there.

Speaking from personal experience, here's what I would recommend:

1) Wait as long as possible as technology continues to evolve and deals pop up every other month.
2) Check a Hot Deals site like FatWallet or SlickDeals for deals like this one.

 

[gorobei]

uugghh. I bought a matching samsung 4gb ddr3 1600 sodimm(exact part # and everything as the one that came with the laptop) from ewiz's ebay storefront, and it is doa.

now i have to get a RMA and see if they have any replacements left.

 

[Blain]

uugghh. I bought a matching samsung 4gb ddr3 1600 sodimm(exact part # and everything as the one that came with the laptop) from ewiz's ebay storefront, and it is doa.

now i have to get a RMA and see if they have any replacements left.

How much did you save?

 

[gorobei]

at the time it was listed as $32+10shipping on the ewiz site. it was $24+2 on ebay, but the storefront was called mp3seller or something(didnt know it was ewiz). so saved about $16. the rma routine is the same regardless.

if the rma process gets much more expensive i'm thinking of just getting a refund and finding a 2x8gb set somewhere.