Help me on choosing a RAM for Lenovo G410

[grimlockPH]

So I have here a Lenovo G410, it has 4GB RAM, and I want to upgrade it to 8GB or 12GB. It has 2 slots for RAM, but what type of RAM? Just a DDR3 or DDR3L? And what's the difference? Suggest any brands. Thanks!

 

[Chicano]

• You can't install 12GB as there are no 6GB RAM modules made.. So, you either install 8GB or 16GB of DDR3 or DDR3L...
• The "L" stands for Low Power and you can only install either regular or L but not mixed, and if you intend to buy "L" RAM, check what voltage they need and if the laptop bios supports it.
• The Lenovo G410 uses 1600Mhz RAM by default so better stick to that speed or check through a RAM website Configurator with auto scan to find the highest speed supported by your motherboard.

RAM Configurator search results.
http://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=SSuUU73jCImS8QfAjIGwCw#q=RAM+Configurator

16GB and 8GB Laptop RAM Kits.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/180-5636372-3885150?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=16%20GB%20laptop%20ram

 

[grimlockPH]

• You can't install 12GB as there are no 6GB RAM modules made.. So, you either install 8GB or 16GB of DDR3 or DDR3L...
• The "L" stands for Low Power and you can only install either regular or L but not mixed, and if you intend to buy "L" RAM, check what voltage they need and if the laptop bios supports it.
• The Lenovo G410 uses 1600Mhz RAM by default so better stick to that speed or check through a RAM website Configurator with auto scan to find the highest speed supported by your motherboard.

RAM Configurator search results.
http://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=SSuUU73jCImS8QfAjIGwCw#q=RAM+Configurator

16GB and 8GB Laptop RAM Kits.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/180-5636372-3885150?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=16%20GB%20laptop%20ram

Oh, it's preloaded with 4GB and add another 8GB for a total of 12GB. I cant afford 2x8GB. Another question, will it decrease battery life? Thank you for the response.

 

[Chicano]

You said the Laptop has TWO RAM slots? and is it preloaded with ONE stick of 4GB?.. if so, then you are right, but... for best performance you should not mix sticks of different size or speed... So, you either add one identical stick to the already installed (same brand, size and speed and if possible model), OR you buy two new sticks of the same brand, size, speed.

And if your budget doesn't allow buying two new sticks, you could go ahead and buy what you can, but at least make it of the same speed, there is no getting around that if you want to avoid lockups and different types of performance issues. Different brands may have different technology and work different so that may be an inconvenience.. size may be the least important characteristic, but if you need to get the best performance out of it, you have to install identical sticks.

EDIT: power required by RAM modules is another important characteristic, different brands and even models can require a small difference therefore the need for them to be as closely matched as possible.

Battery life or charge will not be affected if anything it should save battery, as more ram can get things done faster and save time, therefore less use and less frequent recharges which may ultimately determine battery life.

 

[grimlockPH]

Well then, 8GB of RAM should already be enough, and be the safest. How can I know the brand or speed of that RAM? do you think Lenovo can do it for me? They're not reponding on their facebook page. Tnx bro!

 

[Chicano]

Go to a RAM Configurator major RAM websites have them... you can download a small program that scans your computer and determines the right RAM modules for it... Speed and size, and opens the webiste page showing compatible RAM modules. With that info you can buy from them or from anywhere you can find RAM with those specifications.


RAM Configurator search results.
http://www.google.com/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=SSuUU73jCImS8QfAjIGwCw#q=RAM+Configurator

16GB and 8GB Laptop RAM Kits.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/180-5636372-3885150?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=16%20GB%20laptop%20ram

 

[grimlockPH]

Does the brand of the RAM matters? Or just the specs?

 

[Chicano]

Brand does matter to some degree... just make it from one of the top popular brands: Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, G-Skill, Patriot, PNY

Check other opinions
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/45556-30-ranking-best-brands