Hacking your pc to accept more RAM?

[rawfa]

I´ve recently formatted my laptop and upgraded it to Window 7 Ultimate 64bits. My laptop is supposed to accept a maximum of 8GB RAM. I was wondering if there is anyway to change this via hack/system change so that I can install more than that.

 

[capt chuck]

The maximum ram is generally a hardware architecture limitation that can't be changed in firmware. So I would say you are limited to the 8gb.

 

[rawfa]

Appreciated for the info.

 

[Gary Huff]

I´ve recently formatted my laptop and upgraded it to Window 7 Ultimate 64bits. My laptop is supposed to accept a maximum of 8GB RAM.

Have you googled your laptop model to see if anyone's running with 16GB? The 2011 MacBook Pros were only offered with up to 8GB, but you can put 16GB in those. I'm running it right now.

 

[rawfa]

I´ve just been told that this is a motherboard limitation. So I´m stuck with a maximum of 8GB.
BTW, right now I have 6GB...is it worth it to upgrade to 8GB?

 

[Gary Huff]

BTW, right now I have 6GB...is it worth it to upgrade to 8GB?

What software are you using and what formats (DVCPRO HD, AVCHD, H.264, ect.) do you mostly edit with?

 

[rawfa]

I use premiere to use AVCHD Sony NEX files.

 

[Gary Huff]

If you can find a good deal, then I would go ahead and upgrade. Premiere will gobble up as much RAM as you can feed it.

 

[rawfa]

Thanks. The upgrade it´s not expensive. I´ll go for it.

 

[Cassius]

Ensure that you have fast RAM as well as enough, and if your motherboard supports dual channel try to install identical 4GB sticks to take advantage of that.

 

[rawfa]

Thanks, that is sound advice. Do you know how can I check what type of RAM do I have without opening the laptop.

 

[Al MacLeod]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but what's the value of a memory stick in the usb port for the memory extension thingy for video applications? I never hear that mentioned.

 

[unadog]

My 3 year old Dell was listed as having a max memory of 16 GB.

I put in 27GB. If I used all 8GB chips, I could have 32. I was the fisrt one I could find online saying that worked.

The spec was based on eth fact taht there were no 8GB chips then.

Now on a laptop those chips night not be as common, and may be more expensive. Bt might be worth a try?

Otherwise yes, 6GB to 8GB is worth it. At 4GB you barely have any free. I am on Win 7 64 bit now, and I am using 46% of 8 GB just with e-mail, internet, 2 Excel worksheets, and 1 Word doc open.

So by going from 6GB to 8GB, you are effectively doubling your **available** RAM to aps like Premiere, etc.. That is worthwhile.

Good luck!

Michael

 

[Gary Huff]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but what's the value of a memory stick in the usb port for the memory extension thingy for video applications? I never hear that mentioned.

That's far, far slower than actual RAM, so I wouldn't think it would be very useful. In fact, despite being touted as a Windows 7 feature, I don't know anyone who has even bothered to use it. RAM is so cheap it makes little sense.

 

[HorseFilms]

Thanks, that is sound advice. Do you know how can I check what type of RAM do I have without opening the laptop.

www.crucial.com has a handy tool that will tell you exactly what RAM you need.

 

[David Jimerson]

Adding more RAM is NEVER a bad idea. It doesn't mean you HAVE to, but it'll never not be useful, as long as the system doesn't limit its use.

It's cheap and easy. If you want to do it, do it.

 

[rawfa]

Tried more ram that it could handle so had to settle for 8GB. I´ve just installed it. I didn´t have time to try it out yet.

 

[rawfa]

One more question. Is it worth it to change the virtual memory size after I´ve upgrade the RAM to 8GB? I have a hybrid HD (Momentus XT 750GB) as my main HDD.