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

Apr 21, 2021
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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.
 
Apr 21, 2021
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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 ?
 
Apr 21, 2021
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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.
 
May 20, 2021
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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
🙋‍♀️
 
Apr 21, 2021
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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.
 
May 20, 2021
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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~