Memory for Thinkpad E560

[jmales]

I just bought a Thinkpad R560 with RAM of 4 GB DDR3L 1600 Mhz. As the computer have an integrated Graphic Card (Intel HD Graphics 520) I'm thinking of buying more RAM in case Battefield 4 does not run because of dedicated video memory (which is currently 192Mb and I can't change in BIOS).

Here it says that Intel SoC (System on Chip) platform
16GB max / PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3L, non-parity, dual-channel capable,
two 204-pin SO-DIMM sockets: http://psref.lenovo.com/syspool%5CSys/PDF/ThinkPad/ThinkPad%20E560/ThinkPad_E560_specs.pdf


So my doubt is: if it is capable of dual-channel, is it better to buy one 8 Gb DDR3L 1600Mhz or a 4 Gb DDR3L 1600 Mhz??

Thank you

 

[Proofy]

Since it does have dual channel it's better to try to get dual channel memory to work.

So 1.) Either buy the same exact RAM module model you currently have in your laptop

OR

2.) Make sure to buy 4GB ram with the same MHz and CL, cas latency speed like the one you have inside the pc

Use cpu-z to check your current RAM MHz, CL and model

 

[jmales]

Ty for the answer Proofy. I don't however understand the difference between the two solutions since they both seem to involve buying a 4Gb DDR3L 1600Mhz memory correct? Or is solution 1) not mandatory to have the same Mhz?

 

[geofelt]

All ram sticks must operate at the same specs' voltage, speed, latency.

Go to a ram web site like Kingston and access their ram upgrade app.
Enter your laptop make/model and you will get a list of supported ram kits.

Ultimately, you will want two ram sticks so you can operate in faster dual channel mode.
This is particularly important if you will be using integrated graphics.

If you can't find what you want, run cpu-Z which will tell you the make/model and specs of the ram you have installed. Then try to find a match.
I have not had a problem upgrading ram on some previous thinkpads.

 

[Proofy]

Ty for the answer Proofy. I don't however understand the difference between the two solutions since they both seem to involve buying a 4Gb DDR3L 1600Mhz memory correct? Or is solution 1) not mandatory to have the same Mhz?

correct, solution number one would be buying the EXACT ram module like the one you have in your laptop at the moment.

For example if you had this particular ram in your laptop http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-1866MHz-Blue-HX318C10F/dp/B00J8E91BI you would want to buy the same model again and the model is -> HX318C10F/4 <-

second solution would be buying a different ram module than the one you have in your laptop BUT with the same MHz speed, cas latency and voltages.

That's why I asked you to check your current RAM specifications using CPU-Z software that you can download here: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

and under memory tab you should see all the specifications of your current ram. You can take a screen shot there and post it here so I can try to find the RAM for you so you might be able to get dual memory channel boost from your motherboard.

 

[jmales]

Ty for the answers so far.

I have another related doubt. Integrated GPU highly depends on RAM correct? So, this 2 x 4Gb DDR3 RAM will increase my ability to run Battlefield 4 for example or will it be roughly the same?

As for the print to CPU-Z, I will post it tonight 😉

 

[geofelt]

Ty for the answers so far.

I have another related doubt. Integrated GPU highly depends on RAM correct? So, this 2 x 4Gb DDR3 RAM will increase my ability to run Battlefield 4 for example or will it be roughly the same?

As for the print to CPU-Z, I will post it tonight 😉

Yes, integrated graphics adapters will get faster with better ram configurations.
#1 is to go to dual channel.

After that, speed and latency matter, but faster ram comes with slower latency.
As a metric of capability, divide the ram speed by the cas number. Higher is better if the motherboard supports it.

 

[jmales]

http://postimg.org/image/m88ec44wh/

The specs of the RAM are on the image.

One question: why is the memory speed 800MHz if the RAM is 1600MHz?

 

[Proofy]

http://postimg.org/image/m88ec44wh/

The specs of the RAM are on the image.

One question: why is the memory speed 800MHz if the RAM is 1600MHz?

Because it's DDR3 ram, it's speed is always multiplied by 2, meaning that you have 2x800MHz per module = 1600MHz

Softwares such as CPU-Z and HWinfo are taking into account the multiplier, so it only shows it as half. Example take a look at your CPU, it says 100MHz multiplier x4 = 400MHz per core. If you check your cpu and ram speed from inside BIOS you will see 1600MHz for ram and 2/3.something GHz for cpu

 

[jmales]

Yeah, that makes sense.

I'm going to buy a new 4Gb DDR3 RAM then. Do you have any advice for a trustful store?

 

[jmales]

I'm thinking of buying this one: G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB SO-DDR3 1600Mhz CL9

But I am unsure of the cas latency being the same. Is it?

 

[Proofy]

Check cas latency with cpu Z, it says in the memory tab

 

[jmales]

Ty. My current RAM has latency of 11