Linux - Hardware This forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux? |
Notices |
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
Are you new to LinuxQuestions.org? Visit the following links:
Site Howto |
Site FAQ |
Sitemap |
Register Now
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
|
 |
05-21-2022, 12:32 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2016
Location: UK
Distribution: Linux Mint
Posts: 50
Rep: 
|
What RAM to buy?
I have a 5 year old custom laptop running Linux and would like to upgrade the RAM.
However I have no idea what I should or should not buy. As I'm running Linux, Crucial's system scanner doesn't work.
I've read some articles online but still not confident enough to know what to buy, and what's compatible, given I think that it's not possible to return RAM once inserted in the machine.
I would have bought the same brand I don't know what it is.
Can anyone advise?
Here's the result of dmidecode:
Handle 0x0013, DMI type 16, 23 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 32 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2
Handle 0x0014, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: Unknown
Data Width: Unknown
Size: No Module Installed
Form Factor: Unknown
Set: None
Locator: ChannelA-DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 0
Type: Unknown
Type Detail: None
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified
Rank: Unknown
Configured Memory Speed: Unknown
Minimum Voltage: Unknown
Maximum Voltage: Unknown
Configured Voltage: Unknown
Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 8192 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: ChannelB-DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 2
Type: DDR4
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 2133 MT/s
Manufacturer: 029E
Serial Number: 00000000
Asset Tag: 9876543210
Part Number: CMSO8GX4M1A2133C15
Rank: 1
Configured Memory Speed: 2133 MT/s
Minimum Voltage: 1.2 V
Maximum Voltage: 1.2 V
Configured Voltage: 1.2 V
|
|
|
05-21-2022, 12:58 PM
|
#2
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 23,678
|
I did not check, but in general you have two possibilities:
1. add RAM to another slot, in that case you need to buy a similar one: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Catego...8GX4M1A2133C15
2. replace the existing one, in that case you have more freedom, but in general better to buy something with similar parameters. Also you can check the official site (of that laptop) for recommended RAMs.
|
|
|
05-21-2022, 01:05 PM
|
#3
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2016
Location: UK
Distribution: Linux Mint
Posts: 50
Original Poster
Rep: 
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pan64
I did not check, but in general you have two possibilities:
1. add RAM to another slot, in that case you need to buy a similar one: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Catego...8GX4M1A2133C15
2. replace the existing one, in that case you have more freedom, but in general better to buy something with similar parameters. Also you can check the official site (of that laptop) for recommended RAMs.
|
I don't mind going with either option.
If I go with #2, I would fill it up with the max RAM, 32 GB, so it just depends on the price really.
The Corsair link you posted has the same specs as my current RAM, does that mean it will play nicely?
Is that the case generally - I can pick any RAM/brand/type and if it has the same specs as the current one it should be fine?
|
|
|
05-21-2022, 01:18 PM
|
#4
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 23,678
|
That depends on the quality of those RAMs. Usually the same spec is ok, but in some cases an "almost the same type of" ram is just ignored or require to slow down the whole system. So can be risky. Most probably the exact same type will work without problems.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-21-2022, 04:55 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Registered: Feb 2022
Posts: 72
Rep:
|
https://www.speicher.de/
These guys are great. Upgraded my 10 yr old laptop ram a month ago. Original was 4gb. Now 4 + 8gb. Did Not slow my system a bit.
They suggest best ram which fits ur model.
Use chrome or google translate if needed.
|
|
|
05-21-2022, 07:53 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2016
Posts: 3,345
|
I suggest an additional stick the same size as what is already installed of the same brand & model, so you get the best performance out of the system and have no potential RAM issues. Alternatively I would use as much as you have space for and the largest capacity recommended for that machine.
Since I am not in europe I have no experience with the site recommended above but it seems a potential resource for the best info available.
|
|
|
05-21-2022, 09:11 PM
|
#7
|
LQ Guru
Registered: Aug 2016
Location: SE USA
Distribution: openSUSE 24/7; Debian, Knoppix, Mageia, Fedora, OS/2, others
Posts: 6,346
|
Laptop RAM is usually easy enough to remove to inspect its label. Non-ancient RAM vendor and model will usually be reported by running memtest86.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
05-22-2022, 03:51 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2016
Location: UK
Distribution: Linux Mint
Posts: 50
Original Poster
Rep: 
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by computersavvy
Alternatively I would use as much as you have space for and the largest capacity recommended for that machine.
|
But how do I determine what brand/type/specs to buy in this case, given that I don't have to be restricted by what's already there?
|
|
|
05-22-2022, 03:55 AM
|
#9
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 23,678
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by henrig
But how do I determine what brand/type/specs to buy in this case, given that I don't have to be restricted by what's already there?
|
Again, it is usually documented, there is a list of supported RAMs somewhere. But anyway usually you can use any module with the same timings.
|
|
|
05-22-2022, 03:15 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Registered: Aug 2010
Location: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
Distribution: Cinnamon Mint 20.1 (Laptop) and 20.2 (Desktop)
Posts: 1,706
|
Going from your dmidecode output:
Quote:
Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 8192 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: ChannelB-DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 2
Type: DDR4
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 2133 MT/s
Manufacturer: 029E
Serial Number: 00000000
Asset Tag: 9876543210
Part Number: CMSO8GX4M1A2133C15
Rank: 1
Configured Memory Speed: 2133 MT/s
Minimum Voltage: 1.2 V
Maximum Voltage: 1.2 V
Configured Voltage: 1.2 V
|
It looks like your SODIM is installed in bank2
The SODIM fitted is an 8Gb Corsair Valueselect module, check the link for the specification.
To upgrade your machine to the maximum 32Gb you'd need 2 x 16Gb modules, again check this link. Note the 16Gb Corsair memory is about £75.00 per stick. Other manufacturers such as Kingston look similarly pricey.
The important bits of the spec are: DDR4, 2133 Mhz,
Hope that's of some use.
Play Bonny!

Last edited by Soadyheid; 05-22-2022 at 03:16 PM.
|
|
3 members found this post helpful.
|
05-22-2022, 03:37 PM
|
#11
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2016
Location: UK
Distribution: Linux Mint
Posts: 50
Original Poster
Rep: 
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Soadyheid
Going from your dmidecode output:
It looks like your SODIM is installed in bank2
The SODIM fitted is an 8Gb Corsair Valueselect module, check the link for the specification.
To upgrade your machine to the maximum 32Gb you'd need 2 x 16Gb modules, again check this link. Note the 16Gb Corsair memory is about £75.00 per stick. Other manufacturers such as Kingston look similarly pricey.
The important bits of the spec are: DDR4, 2133 Mhz,
Hope that's of some use.
Play Bonny!

|
THanks, at least I know what to look for now.
The 16GB is at £61.50 on Amazon but I think I'll stick to 16GB in total. It's already double what I have and I'll be able to keep using the current 8GB RAM instead of having to throw it away if I go for 16GB x 2.
|
|
|
05-23-2022, 01:38 AM
|
#12
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 23,678
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by henrig
THanks, at least I know what to look for now.
The 16GB is at £61.50 on Amazon but I think I'll stick to 16GB in total. It's already double what I have and I'll be able to keep using the current 8GB RAM instead of having to throw it away if I go for 16GB x 2.
|
It depends on your needs. You need to know if you want to upgrade it to 32 GB later (in that case better to do it immediately).
But first of all the timing is important too: 15-15-15-36 (at least you need to check that CMSO16GX4M1A2133 C15).
|
|
|
05-23-2022, 03:54 AM
|
#13
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2016
Location: UK
Distribution: Linux Mint
Posts: 50
Original Poster
Rep: 
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by pan64
It depends on your needs. You need to know if you want to upgrade it to 32 GB later (in that case better to do it immediately).
But first of all the timing is important too: 15-15-15-36 (at least you need to check that CMSO16GX4M1A2133C15).
|
I only use my laptop to power a 50 inch TV as screen and watch movies, that's all. The TV in turn is linked to a soundbar.
The laptop seems to struggle to play the sound (via the soundbar) when watching a movie straight from the SSD or DVD.
Surprisingly, the sound plays well when watching Youtube within the browser. I would have thought the browser on its own would be consuming more resources.
Anyway, I'm throwing some RAM at it as it's easily hitting 50% when I run just Opera. So even if it doesn't solve my sound issues, I'll have a bit more RAM.
If it's a sound card or graphics issue, it might be harder to upgrade given it's a laptop...
I'm running Xubuntu on it but it didn't help at all to free resources and has some niggles that Linux Mint doesn't on this machine.
|
|
|
06-23-2022, 09:07 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Registered: Jan 2015
Location: The worst state in USA (can you guess?)
Distribution: Debian 11 (x86_64)
Posts: 44
Rep:
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by henrig
I have a 5 year old custom laptop running Linux and would like to upgrade the RAM.
However I have no idea what I should or should not buy. As I'm running Linux, Crucial's system scanner doesn't work.
I've read some articles online but still not confident enough to know what to buy, and what's compatible, given I think that it's not possible to return RAM once inserted in the machine.
I would have bought the same brand I don't know what it is.
Can anyone advise?
Here's the result of dmidecode:
Handle 0x0013, DMI type 16, 23 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 32 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2
Handle 0x0014, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: Unknown
Data Width: Unknown
Size: No Module Installed
Form Factor: Unknown
Set: None
Locator: ChannelA-DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 0
Type: Unknown
Type Detail: None
Speed: Unknown
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified
Rank: Unknown
Configured Memory Speed: Unknown
Minimum Voltage: Unknown
Maximum Voltage: Unknown
Configured Voltage: Unknown
Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 40 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Total Width: 64 bits
Data Width: 64 bits
Size: 8192 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: None
Locator: ChannelB-DIMM0
Bank Locator: BANK 2
Type: DDR4
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 2133 MT/s
Manufacturer: 029E
Serial Number: 00000000
Asset Tag: 9876543210
Part Number: CMSO8GX4M1A2133C15
Rank: 1
Configured Memory Speed: 2133 MT/s
Minimum Voltage: 1.2 V
Maximum Voltage: 1.2 V
Configured Voltage: 1.2 V
|
If you add ram to an existing system, it's best to use the same brand with the same specs (and even the same lot number if you can). I have always had good luck with Crucial brand memory... plain green sticks, not those stupid "gaming" modules with blinking lights (although I'm sure that "gaming" ram is just as good as plain green-stick modules).
The Crucial website also lets you enter motherboard info to determine which modules will work.
From your post, you probably don't even need to do that. The specs are there.
- DDR4-2133
- SODIMM (small laptop type)
- CAS latency 15 (from part number)
- Voltage 1.20
- Mfgr (from part number) Corsair
If you buy another module of the SAME part number, it should work out for you.
If you want a lot more, take out the current stick and install 2 of the same brand and part number.
Hope this helps.
|
|
|
06-26-2022, 03:12 PM
|
#15
|
Member
Registered: Dec 2014
Distribution: siduction
Posts: 264
Rep:
|
This thread either needs to be marked SOLVED or shouldn't have been bumped.
If OP is still considering upgrade, to me, the obvious solution is to throw in another 8GB stick.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMS...s%2C141&sr=1-2
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:27 AM.
|
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
|
Latest Threads
LQ News
|
|