Worth upgrading from 4gb to 8gb?

[alipmcg]

Hi, I have a Lenovo S205 E-300 (1.3Ghz) with 2 different sticks of 2gb 1333Mhz ram in it, which according to CPU-Z aren't running dual-channel.

Would it be worthwhile upgrading to a matched pair of 4gb modules at 1333Mhz? I will be experimenting with an SSD soon as well to see what difference that makes.

 

[Azn Cracker]

not really. Ram is expensive right now and unless you are gaming or are using it for video editing or something I doubt you will see a difference.

 

[i7Baby]

Yes - get 8gb. 4gb is limiting in some applications eg games eg http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=4546&game=Watch%20Dogs

 

[alipmcg]

I definitely won't be playing Watch Dogs on this laptop, but I do use it for working, which involves having lots of windows open at once and it can get pretty sluggish. I'm interested to know how much of a difference dual-channel mode makes, I was even considering replacing one of the 2gb modules to have a matched pair. Pointless?

 

[Azn Cracker]

I definitely won't be playing Watch Dogs on this laptop, but I do use it for working, which involves having lots of windows open at once and it can get pretty sluggish. I'm interested to know how much of a difference dual-channel mode makes, I was even considering replacing one of the 2gb modules to have a matched pair. Pointless?

Dual channel will only increase slightly. If you are set on doing anything upgrade to 8gb.

I think the problem is your cpu though. e-300 is on the lower end of cpus.

 

[alipmcg]

It sure is. Upgrading my laptop is always at the back of my mind, but I don't use it enough to justify that at the moment, hence why I'd like to get some more life out of it. I think I will keep an eye on 8gb deals on ebay for now

 

[i7Baby]

Yes - you need to have identical ram in the laptop to guarantee it working.

 

[alipmcg]

Yes - you need to have identical ram in the laptop to guarantee it working.

I'm not sure what you're saying Yes to! Do you mean I need identical modules to guarantee that dual channel works, or that the laptop works?

 

[i7Baby]

Both

 

[alipmcg]

Ok, well my laptop has had the unmatched RAM in it for almost 2 years and it's never stopped working in that time.

Any idea if 2 modules of underclocked RAM will still work in dual-channel mode? I'm looking at buying 2*1600Mhz but the max supported by my mobo is 1333Mhz.

 

[i7Baby]

Just use ram at its rated speed. Why do otherwise?

And don't mix ram modules. You'll end up in trouble.

 

[alipmcg]

No, I'm not suggesting mixing RAM modules. I'm considering buying two modules of identical 1600Mhz RAM (simply because it's available cheap second-hand) and replacing what's there at the moment.

I wouldn't choose to underclock it, but the maximum speed supported by the laptop motherboard is 1333Mhz, so it will be underclocked. My question is just whether this will affect its ability to run in dual-channel mode.

 

[i7Baby]

With two modules, it will only run in dual channel.

 

[Azn Cracker]

You probably won't run into trouble with different modules... I have done it where I mixed different brands, speeds and capacity all at the same time. It has been running fine for several years. Of course some motherboards are picky.

In fact the sony laptop i bought 2 years ago has been running with mixed ram since I bought it. Not a problem. It's actually much more stable than my other pc with matching ram.

 

[i7Baby]

There's reason they don't sell mixed ram modules.