Question Memory RAM IC Replacement (LPDDR5) 32GB

[JayBird99]

I'm taking apart my Q409z Asus Notebook, known otherwise as a UX3402ZAA, mine was a BestBuy exclusive I would say. What I'm trying to figure out is if I can swap these modules (which is perfectly doable on my end) for a higher capacity memory IC. Speed is currently fine, as is everything else. I just want to increase the amount. I've done swaps and reballing before and never had a problem, but this would be my first LPDDR5 swap.

EDIT: This notebook has also had it's UEFI modified to allow proper sleep states and get rid of the integration of Windows Modern Standby that digs its fingers down BIOS level deep. I can't stand that so pulled the ROM Image and modified it how I wanted it.

Knowledgeable persons, could you possibly point me in a direction of which memory IC you would purchase for this application? Here are the specifications for what's currently in it...

PS: It's ok if this is not the forum for this question. I was just hoping to find some help. Thanks either way, if you do know that would be AMAZING. Thanks!

Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0026
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 16 bits
Data Width: 16 bits
Size: 1 GB
Form Factor: Row Of Chips
Set: None
Locator: Controller1-ChannelD
Bank Locator: BANK 3
Type: LPDDR5
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 6400 MT/s
Manufacturer: SK Hynix
Serial Number: 00000000
Asset Tag: 9876543210
Part Number: H9JCNNNBK3MLYR-N6E
Rank: 1
Configured Memory Speed: 4800 MT/s
Minimum Voltage: 0.5 V
Maximum Voltage: 0.5 V
Configured Voltage: 0.5 V
Memory Technology: DRAM
Memory Operating Mode Capability: Volatile memory
Firmware Version: Not Specified
Module Manufacturer ID: Bank 1, Hex 0xAD
Module Product ID: Unknown
Memory Subsystem Controller Manufacturer ID: Unknown
Memory Subsystem Controller Product ID: Unknown
Non-Volatile Size: None
Volatile Size: 1 GB
Cache Size: None
Logical Size: None

Handle 0x002F, DMI type 19, 31 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x001FFFFFFFF
Range Size: 8 GB
Physical Array Handle: 0x0026
Partition Width: 8

 

[thestryker]

It looks like the maximum DRAM capacity that model came with was 8GB. In theory that shouldn't be a problem, but laptop OEMs do so much nonsense with BIOS configurations it might be.

How many DRAM packages are physically on the board?

I'm guessing it's going to be just one which means you're likely in a bind for upgrading. Generally speaking with something like this I'd just point at another SK Hynix package, but it looks like they only sell 8/12/18GB packages and I'm not sure how the system would react to 12 or 18.

 

[JayBird99]

Nope, actually it's 2 IC's in quad channel under a small heatsink attached to the CPU. So if I can source either Samsung, SKHynix, Kingston... Most likely Samsung, I'll replace them. I think I have found some on AliExpress new, already balled, ready to install. I'll just keep my old IC's if these break.

BTW, they're $22. lol. How much is 32GB of DDR5 desktop RAM? $$$$$ This would be a MAJOR price reduction. Makes you wonder why Apple charges so much for their chip IC upgrades when they're that cheap.

The processor will address up to 64GB. I just want 32GB. I believe I can into the UEFI. I believe if I can, I'll get both 32GB AND 64GB and see which one will work better. Either should work with probably a UEFI mod. 64GB of LPDDR5 6400 running at 4800, I think should be stable as well.

I'll keep the community updated. It might be something I wouldn't even have to modify anything for and most with a technical background could possibly do it... being careful of course.

 

[kanewolf]

Nope, actually it's 2 IC's in quad channel under a small heatsink attached to the CPU. So if I can source either Samsung, SKHynix, Kingston... Most likely Samsung, I'll replace them. I think I have found some on AliExpress new, already balled, ready to install. I'll just keep my old IC's if these break.

BTW, they're $22. lol. How much is 32GB of DDR5 desktop RAM? $$$$$ This would be a MAJOR price reduction. Makes you wonder why Apple charges so much for their chip IC upgrades when they're that cheap.

The processor will address up to 64GB. I just want 32GB. I believe I can into the UEFI. I believe if I can, I'll get both 32GB AND 64GB and see which one will work better. Either should work with probably a UEFI mod. 64GB of LPDDR5 6400 running at 4800, I think should be stable as well.

I'll keep the community updated. It might be something I wouldn't even have to modify anything for and most with a technical background could possibly do it... being careful of course.

The processor might support 64GB, but you don't know if all the address lines were created in the motherboard. If 8GB was the max designed, then the manufacturer might have simplified the board by limiting the physical interface.

 

[thestryker]

Nope, actually it's 2 IC's in quad channel under a small heatsink attached to the CPU. So if I can source either Samsung, SKHynix, Kingston... Most likely Samsung, I'll replace them. I think I have found some on AliExpress new, already balled, ready to install. I'll just keep my old IC's if these break.

SK Hynix must have discontinued 4GB packages then which wouldn't surprise me (I only checked current). If it's 2 packages then you should be set for at least 16GB (other models with the same board support this) and I think 32GB should be doable. It's probably not as finicky as GPUs, but I'd stick to the same brand/speed if you can just the same.

Makes you wonder why Apple charges so much for their chip IC upgrades when they're that cheap.

Apple tax... on the current MBP 8GB extra costs $200 and on the Max SoC 16GB extra also costs $200.

I'll keep the community updated. It might be something I wouldn't even have to modify anything for and most with a technical background could possibly do it... being careful of course.

Good luck and hope it works out

 

[JayBird99]

The processor might support 64GB, but you don't know if all the address lines were created in the motherboard. If 8GB was the max designed, then the manufacturer might have simplified the board by limiting the physical interface.

This is a good point, but I'm ordering both. I'm going through the UEFI tonight to see if there any artificial limits. If not, then I'm starting with 64GB. If they won't work, I'm fairly (VERY fairly certain) 32GB would work.

SK Hynix must have discontinued 4GB packages then which wouldn't surprise me (I only checked current). If it's 2 packages then you should be set for at least 16GB (other models with the same board support this) and I think 32GB should be doable. It's probably not as finicky as GPUs, but I'd stick to the same brand/speed if you can just the same.

Apple tax... on the current MBP 8GB extra costs $200 and on the Max SoC 16GB extra also costs $200.

Good luck and hope it works out

That actually is a good point. I'll try looking for some SK Hynix modules. Should be no issue, really. LPDDR5 in chip form isn't in a horrible demand. Might take a minute to get here on the boat.

 

[JayBird99]

HA! So I took the CPU heatsink off to inspect and it's just as I thought. There are 4 pads. 4x4=16GB. It was sold in that config. I can change some parameters and maybe a resistor and load all 4 pads to see what it does. Two are just empty.

EDIT: Oh wow. 2GBx4 is my config. I have to scrape all this off. Fun.

Here are some images of the board.... notice how cheap. 2GBx4IC. That's just... really cheap. You can see the pads directly underneath the M.2 Gen4. It also shows how thin the board is, in layers. When I take it all apart (I can't at the moment because I'm doing other work on it, but the board should be really bendable and delicate. They say it meets MilSpec Standards like 810 and other things. I don't see how.

Now you can see all the RAM pads on the back of the board.
So what I plan on is, instead of 2x4 it will be 8x4.

 

[JayBird99]

This is your SK Hynix Part#
That will upgrade you to 32GB. 8GB on each pad. 315 Ball BGA.

H9JCNNNFA5MLYR-N6E

 

[JayBird99]

Another post, and I know... but this is just to let anyone interested know that I've dug through the current 3.10/310 UEFI and there are no "limits" on the DRAM IC's, although like the post above states and it honestly never crossed my mind, is that the UEFI does make many references to SK Hynix and the associated firmware for those IC's and timings.

So with that said, I'd make sure to go with the above 315-ball SK Hynix IC's and it looks like the UEFI will adjust the timing and controller speeds accordingly. The 16GB version of this uses 4x4GB of the same 315-ball SK Hynix IC. As long as you don't get the 496Ball BGA 8GB version, they should work fine. I'm currently waiting on mine to arrive from China. I ordered 6x8GB 315-Ball IC's in case one fails or is broken.

 

[JayBird99]

Well, the IC's are on the ship apparently. Delivery is slated for mid-December. :/