I7-740QM maximum supported memory.

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kasazn

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Hello people, I'm new to the Tomshardware forum though I've been an avid reader of Tomshardware.

My problem is that I'm planning to purchase a G73. The problem is I wanted my build to have 12GB of RAM but the i7-740QM can only support up to 8GB of RAM only(I've read this on Intel's official website http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=49024). It would be loaded with a Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium. Any comments?
 
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The CPU recognizes more than 8 gigs - it has to, or nothing would. Since the memory controller is on the CPU, the only way for anything in the system to see more than 8 gigs is if the memory controller is addressing more than 8 gigs.
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On that website it says under the RAM: 4 X 2GB. That means that there are 4 slots for RAM so you would be able to do 12 GB.
 

josh_bazzell

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Actually, the g73 supports up to 16 gigs of up to 1333 ddr3. The i7-740 is a step up from the 720, not much, but the benchmarks are pretty decent. The new g73jw is an "update" on the g73jh, as it has usb3.0, comes stock with 1333 memory vs the 1066 and has the Nvidia 460m graphics card with 1.5 gigs of video memory. The jh model had the AMD/ATI 5870m gpu that supposedly outperforms the 460m, but the 460m is VASTLY cooler temp wise, and is a great overclocker. The G73 is a GREAT investment, as anything with remotely similar specs will cost you BOUNDS more by just about any other company.

Here are some links to help sort things out:

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=49024
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i7-740QM-Notebook-Processor.31146.0.html

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I just wanted to provide as much useful info as possible. Thanks
 


show a link where the G73 supports 16GB of ram with the i7-740QM, as the intel states the i7 only supports up to 8GB of memory

EDIT: looked at all of the mobile i7's and intel has all of them only supporting up to 8GB of memory (check ark.intel)
EDIT2: even Asus states 8GB ram max (http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=WzU7IKA6SWdBvaRd)
 

kasazn

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Thank you for the very very lengthy post, I really appreciate it. Seriously, I didn't know that the Nvidia 460m is much more cooler than the ATI, wow. I would consider a cooler system though.

I'm still not sure on the RAM though, I know that the G73 has four slots available but the core problem lies on the i7-740QM which Intel states that it only supports up to 8GB of memory only. :S
 

josh_bazzell

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I just orderd a g73jw-a1 from xoticpc and I assure you that it can handle more than 8 gigs. They have an option to upgrade to 16 gigs on their site. I JUST talked to their support 5 minutes ago and they told me the same thing. It WILL recognize more than 8 gigs, the cpu only recognizes 8 gigs, but windows allocates and uses the rest.
 
The CPU recognizes more than 8 gigs - it has to, or nothing would. Since the memory controller is on the CPU, the only way for anything in the system to see more than 8 gigs is if the memory controller is addressing more than 8 gigs.
 
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BWMerlin

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I am also looking at getting a G73 with 16GB of RAM and I am wondering the same thing, can it support that much RAM as the Intel site says 8GB depending on RAM and doesn't go onto elaborate on what that actually means.
 

cozgenc

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I recevied a customized G73JW with 16GB (4x4GB installed) last week. Guess what? Neiher BIOS nor Windows 7 can see more than 8GB.

I will return the item. I think this issue is still open. I haven't seen any definite answer to this issue on the Internet. Supposedly Dell and Lenovo made 16GB work. But how they managed to do it is a mystery to me.

If anyone can get it to work, please let me know.
 

BWMerlin

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Cozgenc please keep us informed as I am really keen to get a G73JW with 16GB of RAM like you but if it can't see that much RAM I may have to find something else that can. Did you make sure that the BIOS was the latest version (IDK if that will help or not but worth a shot)?
 

dEAne

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I do lots of photo and video editing but I separate gaming. Just for ME I choose AMD as my video and photo (Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Encore, etc.). I choose ATI card and I have also tried for years now a matrox card for editing. If your new 4Gb is enough and 8Gb is my usual workspace. 12Gb to 16Gb is like your editing a big map it's not practical.
 

cozgenc

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Yes BIOS is up to date. Unlike the problematic G73JH, G73JW did not receive BIOS updates.

I had hard time choosing between ASUS G73JW and Dell M6500. Now I wish I had chosen Dell. At least it would have been tested better under max memory conditions.
 

kasazn

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Thank you for your feedback, I really appreciate it! This is a big problem because the vendor states that you can specify 16GB but the i7-740QM doesn't support more than 8GB.

I'm definitely getting 8GB now, unless you would go for the i7 extreme edition which should support more than 16GB! :)

I hope to hear from you again!
 
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Another interesting thing about ASUS G73JW memory.
I'm planning to buy XA1 type.

http://www.amazon.com/G73JW-XA1-Republic-Gamers-17-3-Inch-Gaming/dp/B0044BCZ0E/

Technical Details
Model: G73JW-XA1
* 8GB RAM (DDR3 1333MHz), 2GB x 4 SODIMM Sockets, up to 16GB

But the first comment says:

"The XA1 has 8GB of 1066Mhz memory as reported by the CRUCIAL memory tester program (although the outside of the box states 1333mhz)."

:??:
 

laszlophoto

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