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-   -   What kind of RAM does my frankencomputer actually support? (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/what-kind-of-ram-does-my-frankencomputer-actually-support-4175594869/)

cursed 12-05-2016 08:45 PM
What kind of RAM does my frankencomputer actually support?
 
I'm typing this on an Acer Aspire V5-131-2887, or so the box it came in said. There are a few differences in specs between what was advertised and what I got, despite the model #s matching. What I have discovered so far:
  • USB: 3.0 advertised, got 2.1
  • Ethernet: 10/100 advertised, got gigabit
  • CPU: Celeron 847 (1.1 GHz) advertised, got a Celeron 1007u (1.5 GHz)
  • RAM: 4 GB DDR3 (PC3-1333) advertised, got PC3-1600

There might be more that I haven't found yet. My question is, what kinds of memory does this thing support? I'd like to upgrade it to the max, but I don't know what the MOBO can handle.

Here's the output of lspci:
Code:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor DRAM Controller (rev 09)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 (rev 04)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev c4)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev c4)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 3 (rev c4)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 7 Series Chipset Family LPC Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series Chipset Family 6-port SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller (rev 04)
03:00.0 Network controller: Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Wireless Network Adapter (rev 01)
04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetLink BCM57785 Gigabit Ethernet PCIe (rev 10)
04:00.1 SD Host controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM57765/57785 SDXC/MMC Card Reader (rev 10)

frankbell 12-05-2016 08:54 PM
The manual for your motherboard, not the manual for the computer, would be the best place to look. Different iterations of the same model computer may have slightly different components inside the case.

If you open the computer and get the motherboard manufacturer's name and the motherboard's model number, you normally can find a manual for that specific board at the motherboard manufacturer's website.

cursed 12-05-2016 09:08 PM
I forgot to mention, this is a laptop, and getting to any information printed on the actual board would require considerable disassembly. I'm asking if there's a software approach.

timl 12-05-2016 09:25 PM
This works on my Fedora system:
Quote:
sudo dmidecode | less
Have a look around the output but I got
Quote:
System Information
Manufacturer: Gigabyte Tecohnology Co., Ltd.
Product Name: H61M-S2PV
Cheers

Ztcoracat 12-05-2016 09:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cursed (Post 5638467)
I forgot to mention, this is a laptop, and getting to any information printed on the actual board would require considerable disassembly. I'm asking if there's a software approach.
I'm not aware of any application that could provide you all the information about your mobo but you can run this long command to find the info. about your mobo.

Run this:
Code:
cat /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_vendor /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_name /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_version
Here's mine-

Code:
bash-4.3# cat /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_vendor /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_name /sys/devices/virtual/dmi/id/board_version
MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
MS-7501
1.0
bash-4.3#
Aside from that try looking for the PDF of your mobo.

IF I find software for that I'll post it for you.;)

frankbell 12-05-2016 09:28 PM
How easy it is to find precise information depends on the manufacturer.

I have had good luck with Dell in finding out such data, using the "service tag" that Dell uses to identify each individual machine. I've never had occasion to try to dig up such info on an Acer, though.

You might check whether Acer has anything equivalent to the Dell "service tag," which is a sticker applied to the back or bottom of each computer Dell manufactures. With the service tag number, you can find component and warranty information for that individual box.

Ztcoracat 12-05-2016 10:14 PM
CPU-Z is a type of software that you can use to find out hardware information. This software is for Windows. I wasn't able to find software (other than cmd-line) for Linux.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

seasons 12-06-2016 08:57 AM
Code:
dmidecode -t memory
Quote:
RAM: 4 GB DDR3 (PC3-1333) advertised, got PC3-1600
You're getting confused. DDR3-1333 = PC3-10600
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_S...andard_modules

cursed 12-06-2016 04:32 PM
Here's the output of "dmidecode -t memory":

Code:
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.7 present.

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 5, 20 bytes
Memory Controller Information
        Error Detecting Method: None
        Error Correcting Capabilities:
                None
        Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave
        Current Interleave: One-way Interleave
        Maximum Memory Module Size: 8192 MB
        Maximum Total Memory Size: 16384 MB
        Supported Speeds:
                Other
        Supported Memory Types:
                Other
        Memory Module Voltage: Unknown
        Associated Memory Slots: 2
                0x0006
                0x0007
        Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities:
                None

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
        Socket Designation: DIMM0
        Bank Connections: None
        Current Speed: Unknown
        Type: DIMM
        Installed Size: 4096 MB (Single-bank Connection)
        Enabled Size: 4096 MB (Single-bank Connection)
        Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
        Socket Designation: DIMM1
        Bank Connections: None
        Current Speed: Unknown
        Type: DIMM
        Installed Size: 4096 MB (Single-bank Connection)
        Enabled Size: 4096 MB (Single-bank Connection)
        Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 16, 23 bytes
Physical Memory Array
        Location: System Board Or Motherboard
        Use: System Memory
        Error Correction Type: None
        Maximum Capacity: 16 GB
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0018
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: SODIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK 0
        Type: DDR3
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1333 MHz
        Manufacturer: Unknown
        Serial Number: 00000000
        Asset Tag: Unknown
        Part Number: F3-10666CL9-4GBSQ
        Rank: 2
        Configured Clock Speed: 1333 MHz

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0018
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: SODIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM1
        Bank Locator: BANK 2
        Type: DDR3
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Unknown
        Serial Number: 32A4C81D
        Asset Tag: Unknown
        Part Number: HMT451S6MFR8A-PB 
        Rank: 1
        Configured Clock Speed: 1333 MHz
I guess I should explain the last entry a bit. I got a 4 GB 1333 MHz module, installed it, and memtest86 pointed out that the original stick was clocked at 1600 MHz. The computer throttled the original to the new one's speed. I still haven't figured out what this thing is compatible with.

kilgoretrout 12-06-2016 04:50 PM
A handy starting point that I use in this situation is Crucial's ram finder. For your system it gives the following:

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compat...re-v5-131-2887

And if you buy from Crucial they will guarantee compatibility.

Soadyheid 12-08-2016 06:45 AM
Quote:
Handle 0x0018, DMI type 16, 23 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 16 GB Huh? in a netbook?
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0018
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 4096 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 0
Type: DDR3
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 1333 MHz
Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: 00000000
Asset Tag: Unknown
Part Number: F3-10666CL9-4GBSQ
Rank: 2
Configured Clock Speed: 1333 MHz

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 17, 34 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0018
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 4096 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: DIMM1
Bank Locator: BANK 2
Type: DDR3
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 1600 MHz
Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: 32A4C81D
Asset Tag: Unknown
Part Number: HMT451S6MFR8A-PB
Rank: 1
Configured Clock Speed: 1333 MHz
Being a laptop I'd reckon you have only two SODIMM modules, the first, P/N F3-10666CL9-4GBSQ is a "4GB DDR3 PC10600/10666 1333MHz module" (See here)

The second is P/N HMT451S6MFR8A-PB which is a "Hynix 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600MHz non-ECC Unbuffered CL11 204-Pin SoDimm 1.35V Low Voltage Single Rank Memory Module Mfr P/N HMT451S6MFR8A-PB" (See here)
So, it looks to me that you've got two SODIMMs of differing specs fitted which could cause problems.

Can you see 8Gb at present or just 4Gb? Your post implies 4Gb which would mean the second may be fitted but not seen by the system as it's incompatible.

dmidecode implies the Max memory would be 16Gb which seems a bit large for a humble netbook. Hmmm... The Acer spec says 8Gb. :scratch: Interesting, probably the memory management chip max memory handling value.

You only supplied the dmidecode info for the memory, not the bit that identifies the laptop/system/motherboard, usually near the beginning of the list. This would possibly help with defining the correct modules. Specs for the Acer are a bit vague on the memory other than it's DDR3

If you can only see 4Gb, I'd check the SODIMMs and try running with one fitted (slot 0) then swap for the other. If it doesn't boot, which I think would happen, the "no boot" SODIMM is incompatible, buy another of the working one to give yourself the 8Gb Max. Might just work!

Play Bonny!

:hattip:

BW-userx 12-08-2016 09:48 AM
just google your CPU and see what Intel says about it,

https://ark.intel.com/products/72061...Cache-1_50-GHz

My CPU can handle 32GB RAM BUT my BIOS is written to only accept 16GB RAM. HP robbed me,and 16GB laptop sticks are hard to find and expensive, when I did.

Then with your RAM you have to be sure it is or is not that low voltage. That will not work if it is not designed to use the RAM marked with the 'L' for low voltage. As far as bus speed it will, or should always fall back to the fastest it is designed for.

example, if you get 1600 and it only deals with 1333 it will just only run at 1333 and not the 1600 .

I didn't say that everything I read did.

and I found out about that L the hard way.

your intel specs on your CPU are
Quote:
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) 32 GB
Memory Types DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Max # of Memory Channels 2
Max Memory Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported ‡ No
Looks like you're in the sweet spot. it takes low voltage, and both 1333/1600, if you have one that is 1333 and the other is 1600, you'll only get 1333 as well.

you will want to MAKE sure you get the right type, L or -RS Ram...

BW-userx 12-08-2016 10:13 AM
Code:
lsusb -t  or lsusb -v
to get a closer look at your hardware.

BW-userx 12-08-2016 10:22 AM
16GB 2x 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz PC3-12800 Sodimm Laptop Memory RAM Kit 16 G GB New
US $73.90
Quote:
Type: 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB)
Speed: DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800)
Timings: CL11
Voltage: 1.35V/1.5V VERY IMPORTANT!!! or your system will not boot.
Heatspreader: None
Packaging: Safely packaged in Anti-Static Bags




Corsair 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3-1333 1600 MHz Laptop Memory RAM CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9 Used
US $18.52

Ztcoracat 12-08-2016 12:53 PM
Where you able to find out what brand/manufacturer?


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