PC3-8500 SODIMM DDR3 memory?

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Hi guys.  I amworking on this laptop N5040 and I think it is bricked because it has one 2GB SODIM and one 1GB SODIMM - not very much RAM anyway, but probably slowing it down more than speeding it up.  So I was looking online for compatible RAM, and I notice this PC3-8500 designation for some purchases.  What does this mean?  Does this mean it won't work if it is a different PC3 number?  What about DDR3L?  Are there DDR3/LDDR3/LPDDR3 compatible memory SODIMMs?  

 

Also, if those designations don't matter so much, where can I get this RAM cheap (preferably 2x4GB for a total of 8GB)?

[-rascal-]

3 hours ago, VPrime said:

Hi guys.  I amworking on this laptop N5040 and I think it is bricked because it has one 2GB SODIM and one 1GB SODIMM - not very much RAM anyway, but probably slowing it down more than speeding it up.  So I was looking online for compatible RAM, and I notice this PC3-8500 designation for some purchases.  What does this mean?  Does this mean it won't work if it is a different PC3 number?  What about DDR3L?  Are there DDR3/LDDR3/LPDDR3 compatible memory SODIMMs?  

 

Also, if those designations don't matter so much, where can I get this RAM cheap (preferably 2x4GB for a total of 8GB)?

 

You cannot simply "brick" a computer with mixed DRAM sticks. This is not how you use the term "bricked."

If the laptop initially just had the 2 GB stick, and you threw a random 1 GB stick in, then that is probably the reason why it is acting up.

 

Laptops, when it comes to upgrades, CAN be very picky due to compatibility.

 

The PC3 number is the "theoretical" bandwdith...just different standard format to represent the frequency.

PC3-8500 = DDR3 1066 MHz

PC3-10600 = DDR3 1333 MHz

PC3-12800 = DDR3 1600 MHz

etc.

 

DDR3, DDR3L (AKA LPDDR3)  are two different things. You *NEED* to make sure which kind the laptop uses.

DDR3 SODIMM is "regular" DDR3 memory

DDR3L SODIMM is Low Voltage (e.g. 1.2V or 1.35V).

 

• Find out what speeds are compatible with the laptop
• Find out if the laptop uses DDR3 or DDR3L memory sticks
• Find out how much it can support (Will 2 X 4 GB even work on the computer)

In some cases you can purchase higher frequency RAM, and the computer will automatically adjust the frequency to match...but with MOST off-the-shelf computers (e.g. HP, Acer, etc), they do not. Using the wrong voltage DRAM can damage the computer's motherboard.

(e.g. using DDR3 1.6V memory on a computer that normally uses DDR3L 1.35V)

 

You can Crucial's System Scanner to help point you in the right direction: http://www.crucial.com/

Do a bit more research afterwards, to make sure the RAM kits you are looking does not run into compatibility issues.

 

There are chances where the specs of the DRAM all work and match, BUT the motherboard (mainly firmware / BIOS version) does not support it.