Question Is It Impossible to Get DDR3L-1600 SODIMMs Larger Than 8GB ?

[huddie]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade the 8GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM with a larger module. Unfortunately, my laptop - a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460 - only has one RAM slot and I can't find anywhere legit looking that sells single modules > 8GB. Is there some kind of hard limit on DDR3L SODIMMs at 8GB ? The only websites that claim to sell larger single modules look shady and are asking for > £200 GBP. I'd like to upgrade to 16GB if I can, however, I want to make sure what I purchase will be compatible and not degrade performance.

 

[Eximo]

Likely so, I would think the only larger chips would have made it into server memory. Shouldn't stop someone from slapping them on some SO-DIMMs.

I have doubts your system would recognize a 16GB stick.

 

[huddie]

Likely so, I would think the only larger chips would have made it into server memory. Shouldn't stop someone from slapping them on some SO-DIMMs.

I have doubts your system would recognize a 16GB stick.

The user manual says up to 8GB, but with BIOS / UEFI updates the RAM limit can increase. I wonder has anyone out there successfully upgraded their Yoga 460 to, say, 16GB ?

 

[SkyNetRising]

my laptop - a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460 - only has one RAM slot
I'd like to upgrade to 16GB if I can

Your laptop has onboard soldered ram + single slot for additional ram module.
Total max ram capacity 16GB.

You can get to 16GB, if onboard soldered ram is 8GB and you put additional single 8GB module in the ram slot.

 

[huddie]

Your laptop has onboard soldered ram + single slot for additional ram module.
Total max ram capacity 16GB.

You can get to 16GB, if onboard soldered ram is 8GB and you put additional single 8GB module in the ram slot.

Wow! Really ? I hope you're right.

 

[rgd1101]

https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100007635 601190332 601275424
Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 16GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) $164

https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/lenovo/thinkpad-yoga-460
said 16GB, but don't have any in stock

 

[SkyNetRising]

You can check your current ram config with CPU-Z - spd and memory sections.
(post screenshots - upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[huddie]

You can check your current ram config with CPU-Z - spd and memory sections.
(post screenshots - upload to imgur.com and post link)

Thanks. Here are the CPU-Z details. Note there's only one slot listed under Memory Slot Selection.
RAM details from CPU-Z

 

[SkyNetRising]

Here are the CPU-Z details. Note there's only one slot listed under Memory Slot Selection.

Then that is onboard soldered ram module.
Should be single free slot, where you can install additional module.

 

[huddie]

Thanks. Now to decide whether to open it up now just to be totally sure, or just buy the RAM cos I'm too lazy.

Appreciate your help.

 

[SamirD]

Measure twice, cut once--aka, open it up and make sure before you spend your money. Just be sure to follow the instructions in the manual.

 

[huddie]

Measure twice, cut once--aka, open it up and make sure before you spend your money. Just be sure to follow the instructions in the manual.

Thanks. I've taken a different approach. I've searched both images and videos of my motherboard. It's definitely only got 1 SODIMM slot and I can see people saying that it is occupied by the manufacturer installed memory module. I want to minimise the number of times I have to open my laptop as I need it for work and I'm Mr Cautious McBoring and don't want to damage it. So I've ordered a refurbished £107 GBP 16GB refurbished module from eBay.

Thanks again everyone - this turns out to be a very helpful forum.

 

[SkyNetRising]

So I've ordered a refurbished £107 GBP 16GB refurbished module from eBay.

It's not supported and probably will not work (or might allow using only half of 16GB module).
Get 8GB module instead.

 

[huddie]

No point as I already have 8GB and there's only 1 slot.

 

[SkyNetRising]

No point as I already have 8GB and there's only 1 slot.

Obboard soldered ram is 8GB. Your laptop supports 16GB ram max.
It doesn't support 8GB + 16GB.
Only 8GB +8GB is supported.

 

[huddie]

Just swapped the 8GB module out with a 16GB. There is indeed only 1 RAM slot and it had the 8GB module in it. 'New' 16GB module is tested and working fine.

Thanks all, especially @SkyNetRising , for helping 👍

 

[SamirD]

Just swapped the 8GB module out with a 16GB. There is indeed only 1 RAM slot and it had the 8GB module in it. 'New' 16GB module is tested and working fine.

Thanks all, especially @SkyNetRising , for helping 👍

Nice! Glad it all worked out.

 

[barebackclaire]

lol I wish I had found this much sooner. good thing you didn't listen to that other guy (no offense). he was blindly giving you "support" without researching yoga 460s. what's soldered on to mobo are the processor and the GPU. the ram the other guy was speaking of belongs to the GPU. also, I'm sure you know but you can always download the Lenovo psref app, or just Google "yoga 460 specification sheet". navigate your way to the psref site or available pdf file and you'll have a nifty and complete data sheet about the yoga 460/p40 (yoga 14) line. albeit that they didn't go with the ddr4 on these (ddr4 thinkpad mobos support up to 64gb ram and more where available ) a single 16gb chip will definitely work and it's a good thing you went ahead and got one. next, might I suggest you install a 2242 (42mm) m.2 ngff ssd into the wwan slot, and use that as your boot drive? on my p40 I have a 512gb m.2 serving as the boot drive as a 2tb barracuda as my secondary drive used to host my page file, store programs, w10 apps, porn and all that stuff. along with the 16gb chip, my p40 runs so nice~ oh yeah, install Lenovo's vantage for the Battery Threshold feature of you haven't done so already. you'll thank me later~ let me know, I have quite the experience with these machines
🙋‍♀️

 

[huddie]

Thanks Claire. Think I'll pass up any other upgrades for now. I'll carry on for a year or two then get myself a new machine - likely a Yoga X or similar. You can't go too far wrong with a ThinkPad.

 

[barebackclaire]

Thanks Claire. Think I'll pass up any other upgrades for now. I'll carry on for a year or two then get myself a new machine - likely a Yoga X or similar. You can't go too far wrong with a ThinkPad.

you're most certainly welcome! ThinkPads indeed are my favorite and most trusted brand out there. glad to know I'm in great company~