RAM for Sony Vaio

[suryaveer]

I am not an expert in hardware so pardon me if question sounds silly.
I want to upgrade RAM of my SONY Vaio E-series from 4GB to 8 GB. Current RAM module config is 204Pin DDR3 PCL3 12800 1600 https://www.compuram.de/en/memory_module,hmt351s6cfr8a-pb,hynix.htm.

I just want to be sure that I can add any brand and I will not have any compatibility issue (as I found on some forums that certain models are compatible with some specific laptops).

I found few RAMs as per my current specification but I do not know about the brands, which to avoid or which to go for.

A cheap option I found was Patriot and AData and little expensive than these were GSkill and kingston.

I am not much into gaming just play Asphalt 8, basically I am looking for upgrade as I run VMs on my laptop and I feel 4 GB is not enough.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[digitaldoc]

You need to get the exact model of the laptop, and go to the Sony website, and they should have a list of approved memory that is compatible with the laptop.

 

[suryaveer]

You need to get the exact model of the laptop, and go to the Sony website, and they should have a list of approved memory that is compatible with the laptop.

Thanks for the reply.

The model is sve15135cn
I tried to find the info on the sony website but could not succeed. I see this type of info on sony global sites but this is model is available on sony-asia/india website and on this site nowhere I could find the info.

 

[digitaldoc]

I don't find a list of approved RAM.

I would use the Crucial tool to scan the system and determine what is compatible.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner

 

[suryaveer]

I don't find a list of approved RAM.

I would use the Crucial tool to scan the system and determine what is compatible.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner

Through all the search I have done till now what I found is that this model is listed nowhere, may be this model is specific to sony-asia or may be it has different number outside asia.

The crucial scanner also could not find the information and yes, this model is not on there site.
This is what I got:

We’re sorry.

Crucial currently does not have any compatible upgrades available for your particular system.

 

[digitaldoc]

This model if in North America seems like it got here via the gray market. Not gonna be easy to upgrade the RAM at this point. I would contact Sony directly.

 

[suryaveer]

This model if in North America seems like it got here via the gray market. Not gonna be easy to upgrade the RAM at this point. I would contact Sony directly.

Sony has a standard answer- buy from us.
But, even if I want to buy from them, I am not in India now and for that matter Asia. So, I believe in NA this RAM won't be available or if is there it would cost me dear

 

[digitaldoc]

Good argument to not buy Sony, but looks like you are stuck at this point.

 

[suryaveer]

Good argument to not buy Sony, but looks like you are stuck at this point.

Yes, seems I am stuck. Anyways, thanks for your time and help.

 

[Karadjgne]

Sony is famous for proprietary stuff, everything from motherboards to hard drives, but ram isn't one of them. I have a desktop Sony vaio that currently has OCZ ram installed.

Your laptop has 2x slots for memory, both capable of 4Gb. Since there is absolutely no guarantee that any ram will play nice when mixing kits, if you wish to have 8Gb,then buy 2x4Gb kit and replace the ram, don't add to it. It's slightly more expensive this way, but not only removes any doubts, but also removes any probability of ram incompatability. Any brand will work, just as long as the kit is the correct speed.

 

[digitaldoc]

The new RAM will probably work, but there is no guarantee without it being on an approved list. Still, agree it is worth a shot.

 

[suryaveer]

Sony is famous for proprietary stuff, everything from motherboards to hard drives, but ram isn't one of them. I have a desktop Sony vaio that currently has OCZ ram installed.

Your laptop has 2x slots for memory, both capable of 4Gb. Since there is absolutely no guarantee that any ram will play nice when mixing kits, if you wish to have 8Gb,then buy 2x4Gb kit and replace the ram, don't add to it. It's slightly more expensive this way, but not only removes any doubts, but also removes any probability of ram incompatability. Any brand will work, just as long as the kit is the correct speed.

Thanks for your advice. Can you suggest brands to choose and avoid. While searching I come across following brands regularly: GSkill, Adata, Patriot & Kingston. I have only heard of Kingston and that too for USB Drives and memory cards .

Though I can put them in scale as Gskill, Kingston, Patriot and Adata, this is according to what I read in reviews.

Thanks again.

 

[Karadjgne]

Kingston and Patriot are very good memory, Kingston has been around forever itseems and typically has fewer failure rates than any other brand. In the pcs that work well with Kingston, as Kingston ram quite regularly use 1.65v ram whereas many have made the switch to 1.5v. GSkill went the other way. They actually physically test everything they can get their hands on, so whether or not they are tested by the mobo, the mobos are tested by GSkill. GSkill ram will pretty much work on anything. Adata also makes good ram, but is made more along the budget lines than high performance, so having slightly slower timings or no fancy heatsinks, left them out of the ''elite-gaming ram-must have-or-you-a-noob" circles. Considering that you are looking for ram for a laptop, that's got some age so isn't ultra high performance, any of those 4 should work just fine. If anything, look for the ram that has the lowest CAS (CL), matches your current ram voltage and is also good on budget.

 

[suryaveer]

Kingston and Patriot are very good memory, Kingston has been around forever itseems and typically has fewer failure rates than any other brand. In the pcs that work well with Kingston, as Kingston ram quite regularly use 1.65v ram whereas many have made the switch to 1.5v. GSkill went the other way. They actually physically test everything they can get their hands on, so whether or not they are tested by the mobo, the mobos are tested by GSkill. GSkill ram will pretty much work on anything. Adata also makes good ram, but is made more along the budget lines than high performance, so having slightly slower timings or no fancy heatsinks, left them out of the ''elite-gaming ram-must have-or-you-a-noob" circles. Considering that you are looking for ram for a laptop, that's got some age so isn't ultra high performance, any of those 4 should work just fine. If anything, look for the ram that has the lowest CAS (CL), matches your current ram voltage and is also good on budget.

Thanks for the detailed answer.

 

[kingstonhq]

Hi there!
Not sure if you were able to find the compatible memory for your system yet. If not, we do make branded memory that is tested and guaranteed to work in Sony systems. The recommended part number for your Sony VAIO E Series notebook is the 4GB module M51264J90S, find it here: http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/?partid=m51264j90s

Just so you know, your particular VAIO model number SVE15135CNW is not listed as a compatible system, however the equivalent US model number SVE1513BYNB is shown as compatible with that memory on our site. Both of those models have the same CPU and chipset so are essentially the same and have the same memory compatibility.

Thank you for considering Kingston memory!
-Jewel, Kingston US Technical Support

 

[suryaveer]

Hi there!
Not sure if you were able to find the compatible memory for your system yet. If not, we do make branded memory that is tested and guaranteed to work in Sony systems. The recommended part number for your Sony VAIO E Series notebook is the 4GB module M51264J90S, find it here: http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/?partid=m51264j90s

Just so you know, your particular VAIO model number SVE15135CNW is not listed as a compatible system, however the equivalent US model number SVE1513BYNB is shown as compatible with that memory on our site. Both of those models have the same CPU and chipset so are essentially the same and have the same memory compatibility.

Thank you for considering Kingston memory!
-Jewel, Kingston US Technical Support

Wow, Didn't expected a reply from Kingston Support.
Thanks for the reply.

The model you suggested I see is 1333 MHz but my current one is 1600MHz. I don't know how much difference it will make by combining both. Anyways, I found one model on CanadaComputers website: Kingston ValueRAM 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL11 1.35V SODIMM (KVR16LS11/4)

Can you tell me if this is compatible.

Thanks

 

[Karadjgne]

If you combine both and they work, they both run at 1333, which is fine, the performance difference between 1600 and 1333 is negligible. CL 11 is on the slower side, CL9 is pretty standard for both 1600 (9-9-9-27) and 1333 (9-9-9-24). Any problems you may have would probably come from the voltage difference. Most 1600 runs 1.5v, 1.35v is actually beneficial, saves on battery. If you are determined to mix and match ram, try to get sticks with as close to same as possible, 1600/1600,1.5v/1.5v etc. Personally, I'd get 2x of the Kingston memory suggested (preferably in a kit) as someone from Kingston did respond, with very usable advice, about ram certified to run in your Viao.

 

[kingstonhq]

Ah ok, the processor in your VAIO does also support 1600MHz, so the guaranteed to work 1600MHz 4GB module for the Sony VAIO E series is M51264K110S which is standard voltage 1.5V. That system does not support low voltage 1.35V, so even if you purchased that memory it would run at 1.5V which wouldn't hurt the memory but it definitely would not be able to run in dual channel with the memory that is already there. Although, for dual channel support it's best to purchase two identical modules to be certain I will run together. So if you get two of M51264K110S they will work properly together in Dual Channel.

 

[suryaveer]

Ah ok, the processor in your VAIO does also support 1600MHz, so the guaranteed to work 1600MHz 4GB module for the Sony VAIO E series is M51264K110S which is standard voltage 1.5V. That system does not support low voltage 1.35V, so even if you purchased that memory it would run at 1.5V which wouldn't hurt the memory but it definitely would not be able to run in dual channel with the memory that is already there. Although, for dual channel support it's best to purchase two identical modules to be certain I will run together. So if you get two of M51264K110S they will work properly together in Dual Channel.

Thanks for the information. I obviously did not understand all technical details why a RAM would work or why not. . Anyways, from where do you found that my system does not support low voltage, because as per my knowledge what I got from searching the RAM model, the RAM works on 1.35V. (link in the question).
So, per your suggestion I need to buy 2 modules of whatever compatible RAM I buy to achieve full performance?

Thanks

 

[kingstonhq]

The information we have available on that system and what Sony has posted in their specifications shows that it supports standard voltage memory. However, looking deeper the CPU and chipset in that system can support either standard or low voltage memory. So depending on the configuration of the BIOS the memory may be running at either low or standard since most low voltage memory can run at standard voltage without any issue.

 

[suryaveer]

The information we have available on that system and what Sony has posted in their specifications shows that it supports standard voltage memory. However, looking deeper the CPU and chipset in that system can support either standard or low voltage memory. So depending on the configuration of the BIOS the memory may be running at either low or standard since most low voltage memory can run at standard voltage without any issue.

Oh ok. Thanks. This is informative for me.