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L502x - i7 2640m - DDR3 RAM frequency and capacity
Hi,
I've been looking to upgrade my RAM capacity on my L502x optimize for gaming. So, I first checked with the Dell Support Center to see what kind of RAM was installed on my system. As you can see, I got DDR3 (1333MHz) but it does not say if it is PC3-10600 or anything else. And for some reason,my memory (RAM) WEI is at 7.4, even if the two installed RAM are not from the same company. I got these infos:
Then, with a system check software (CPU-Z) I got this infos:
On the top image, it seems the DRAM frequency is set to 665.3 MHz, not 1333 MHz. Same thing happens when I look at the two installed RAM: PC3-10700 at 667MHz.
To me, there seem to be a contradiction. Dell Support app shows two RAM at 1333 MHz and CPU-Z shows two at 667 MHz each... Does that meen the RAM frequencies are additive (667+667=1333)? Plus everywhere I look for infos of what RAM the L502x supports, it is the PC3-10600 and not the PC3-10700 that needs to be installed.
Does anyone has any insight on this one cause I am a bit confuse right now. I am looking for the optimal gaming RAM for my laptop. I know the Dell BIOS locks the RAM frequency usage to 1333 MHz for ''smaller'' processors. As you can see mine is a i7 2640m one.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Bay Wolf
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December 18th, 2011 19:00
You can edit your own posts. Look next to the "Report Abuse" link just under your post. There is a pencil. Click on it to edit your post.
As for the memory, if the 2640m model only supports DDR3-1066/1333, then upgrading to a faster memory will not provide any boost in performance. The faster RAM will just be throttled down.
ejn63
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December 18th, 2011 11:00
DDR means double data rate - the effective bandwidth (the quoted 1333 MHz) is twice the actual speed of the RAM.
Celticfuzz
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December 18th, 2011 12:00
Ok, but why the max bandwidth DDR 667MHz on CPU-Z vs DSC memory type DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz? So the frequency should be the same either way? So Dell calculates the RAM frequency as a whole, so 666.7x2=1333MHz while CPU-Z does not calculate the DDR factor?.
For my other questions, why PC3-10700 instead of PC3-10600. And what are the optimal DDR3 gaming RAM for the L502x?
Thanks
Bay Wolf
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December 18th, 2011 16:00
Here is Crucials advisor results for your system.
www.crucial.com/.../listparts.aspx
Celticfuzz
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December 18th, 2011 18:00
Considering it is for a i7 2640m and not a higher processor like i7 2820QM?
Celticfuzz
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December 18th, 2011 18:00
I also want to add that since it is not the bigger i7 2820QM model, I am not sure it will be used completely. Some other users on the net states smaller cores are limitted to PC3-10600 at 1333MHz which may be due to the BIOS restriction to access extra power, or so it seems. In any case. I searched different company with their memory scan features and they come with many different suggestions as you can notice above, to states a few. I want the best for the current setup I am using, maybe not to spend an extra 200$ in RAM for it but still, I want to know my limitations.
Please I want an accurate an definitive answer.
Thank you for your time,
Celticfuzz
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December 18th, 2011 18:00
OK so it means I can upgrade to this RAM too?
www.ramcity.net/.../KIN1-DXKL50-8G-01.htm
www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx
Anyone ever tried those in their L502x?
Celticfuzz
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December 18th, 2011 19:00
Ok now I know I am abusing this thread. a bit. But I've conducting some research and it seems the 2640m model only supports DDR3-1066/1333, nothing more. So, I may just say goodbye to the Kingston HyperX series, cause it will not make use of the extra power. But still, will there be any benifit from it or it is just a waste of money?
P.S.: I wish we could just edit above posts instead of spamming...
Celticfuzz
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December 19th, 2011 13:00
Thank you very much! thread closed!