DDR3 on DDR3L slots

[kocho]

can anyone please explain, can i use a DDR3 Sodimm on a DDR3L Sodimm slots?
i need to upgrade my notebook, lenovo s210, but all i can find is DDR3 Sodimm memory
thank you

 

[Maxx_Power]

You might be able to get away with it depending on Lenovo's BIOS, but this will make the laptop run hotter (likely the CPU, where the memory controller is integrated) and reduce the battery life a tiny bit.

You can find DDR3L easily, it is just that they are not usually listed as DDR3L, but as regular DDR3. Look for DDR3 sodimms that have a voltage rating of 1.35V, that's what DDR3L is.

 

[kocho]

You might be able to get away with it depending on Lenovo's BIOS, but this will make the laptop run hotter (likely the CPU, where the memory controller is integrated) and reduce the battery life a tiny bit.

You can find DDR3L easily, it is just that they are not usually listed as DDR3L, but as regular DDR3. Look for DDR3 sodimms that have a voltage rating of 1.35V, that's what DDR3L is.

so, basically, DDR3 can run in DDR3L slot but it can damaged MB and battery due to higher voltage and heat issues?

 

[Maxx_Power]

You might be able to get away with it depending on Lenovo's BIOS, but this will make the laptop run hotter (likely the CPU, where the memory controller is integrated) and reduce the battery life a tiny bit. There is a caveat, even if DDR3 does work, in that a lot of Ultrabooks are designed with the thermals (CPU temperatures mostly) pushing right up against maximum allowed (most run hot at 90+ Degrees Celsius when fully loaded), so if you use DDR3 instead of DDR3L, you might push the CPU over that limit, since the margins are so very small.

You can find DDR3L easily, it is just that they are not usually listed as DDR3L, but as regular DDR3. Look for DDR3 sodimms that have a voltage rating of 1.35V, that's what DDR3L is.

so, basically, DDR3 can run in DDR3L slot but it can damaged MB and battery due to higher voltage and heat issues?

It won't damage anything. Your CPU is specified to be able to use regular DDR3. BUT, you have an Ultrabook, and your vendor (Lenovo) may or may not have programmed the BIOS to accept regular voltage DDR3, for the sake of heat and battery life, if the BIOS support is not there, the computer simply won't boot, but I doubt that Lenovo has gone above and beyond on this. It is a bit of a gamble unless you know someone else who have done it.

BUT, like I mentioned, you CAN get DDR3L. Here is a list from Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007608&IsNodeId=1&Description=DDR3%201.35V&name=Laptop%20Memory&Order=BESTMATCH

Another way to go about this is to pick up Apple specific memory. All Apple computers uses DDR3L, so if you find the same speed, it is good to go (identical with regular PC memory).

 

[davidx1141]

You might be able to get away with it depending on Lenovo's BIOS, but this will make the laptop run hotter (likely the CPU, where the memory controller is integrated) and reduce the battery life a tiny bit. There is a caveat, even if DDR3 does work, in that a lot of Ultrabooks are designed with the thermals (CPU temperatures mostly) pushing right up against maximum allowed (most run hot at 90+ Degrees Celsius when fully loaded), so if you use DDR3 instead of DDR3L, you might push the CPU over that limit, since the margins are so very small.

You can find DDR3L easily, it is just that they are not usually listed as DDR3L, but as regular DDR3. Look for DDR3 sodimms that have a voltage rating of 1.35V, that's what DDR3L is.

so, basically, DDR3 can run in DDR3L slot but it can damaged MB and battery due to higher voltage and heat issues?

It won't damage anything. Your CPU is specified to be able to use regular DDR3. BUT, you have an Ultrabook, and your vendor (Lenovo) may or may not have programmed the BIOS to accept regular voltage DDR3, for the sake of heat and battery life, if the BIOS support is not there, the computer simply won't boot, but I doubt that Lenovo has gone above and beyond on this. It is a bit of a gamble unless you know someone else who have done it.

BUT, like I mentioned, you CAN get DDR3L. Here is a list from Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007608&IsNodeId=1&Description=DDR3%201.35V&name=Laptop%20Memory&Order=BESTMATCH

Another way to go about this is to pick up Apple specific memory. All Apple computers uses DDR3L, so if you find the same speed, it is good to go (identical with regular PC memory).

 

[davidx1141]

I am now given to understand that the BIOS on my Lenovo S210 IdeaPad will not support the upgrade from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, despite my having purchased the new card from Crucial for $139.00. I contacted them and they sent me a replacement, which I find tonight still doesn't work in it, the machine won't boot at all, though it powers up, of course. The 8GB card is DDR3-1600 1.35V DR x8 ECC SODIMM.

 

[irvingjai]

I am now given to understand that the BIOS on my Lenovo S210 IdeaPad will not support the upgrade from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, despite my having purchased the new card from Crucial for $139.00. I contacted them and they sent me a replacement, which I find tonight still doesn't work in it, the machine won't boot at all, though it powers up, of course. The 8GB card is DDR3-1600 1.35V DR x8 ECC SODIMM.

I just came across the same issue in trying to find the right RAM to upgrade my lenovo s210. See the link below, as it may be what you need. I have not tested it yet but will be ordering it soon. According to the crucial website, it is guaranteed to work with this model laptop. Only difference I see from what you listed, is that the module below is "Non ECC". Hope this helps!

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=D54090CCA5CA7304#

-Irving

 

[Vass_1]

can anyone please explain, can i use a DDR3 Sodimm on a DDR3L Sodimm slots?
i need to upgrade my notebook, lenovo s210, but all i can find is DDR3 Sodimm memory
thank you

If you install ddr3 in ddr3l slot your pc will die.;; Black screen . I done that so now I need to buy ddr3l ram

 

[Joshua Nicoll]

The problem sounds like you're using ECC RAM. ECC RAM is not compatible. DDR3L is a dual voltage standard, it should work fine with DDR3, but not all the time on laptops. My laptop supports both DDR3 and DDR3L, currently it has DDR3 in it, but my CPU and motherboard have two separate controllers for it. I would guess your issue is with ECC ram which is not compatible with non ECC systems, I've never even heard of commonly available SODIMM ECC modules.

 

[Fane__]

The problem sounds like you're using ECC RAM. ECC RAM is not compatible. DDR3L is a dual voltage standard, it should work fine with DDR3, but not all the time on laptops. My laptop supports both DDR3 and DDR3L, currently it has DDR3 in it, but my CPU and motherboard have two separate controllers for it. I would guess your issue is with ECC ram which is not compatible with non ECC systems, I've never even heard of commonly available SODIMM ECC modules.

Good answer Joshua...may he can make a picture of that ECC SODIMM ? I am also curious....