Upgrading RAM on N50-600-EB16. Which RAM is supported? / Motherboard RAM Speed Throttling?

Hi all,

I am planning on adding additional RAM to my N50-600-EB16 and I am wondering, what RAM is supported by the motherboard and if there are any obstacles to creating a Duel channel RAM set up?

I currently have a single 8GB DDR4 strip of RAM. I am considering adding another 8GB of RAM of the same kind already present, or purchasing two 8GB strips of identical RAM to completely replace what is currently in the machine.

I have seen a video on YouTube where an issue was raised regarding RAM speed throttling in Acer N50-600 computers, and something to do with JEDEC verifications playing a role in how the motherboard of the N50-600-EB14 identifies RAM. Is the motherboard the same in the N50-600 EB16? Am I likely to run into speed throttling or other issues, if I purchase faster RAM? In the video I saw it is mentioned that the BIOS options for N50 computers are quite limited due to locking, is this the case? If so, is there any method for unlocking options or otherwise safely over coming any RAM speed throttling?

Am I best to seek another stick of identical RAM with the same speed as what is already installed?

Apologies for the barrage of questions, but I want to be certain that I install the correct RAM and avoid causing any damage or accidently worsening the performance of my PC. Thanks for your help

Accepted answers

batmalin

Thanks and you are lucky check here: https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-PC4-21300-2666MHz-Desktop-M378A1K43DB2-CTD/dp/B00XLXWD5S
So you can take 1 more or 3 more it`s up to you.

All comments

batmalin

MB has nothing to do with the RAM speed as the memory controller is build in the CPU! So first let us know what is your CPU and current ram model and speed with CPU-Z.

batmalin

So if your model has this CPU - Intel® Core™ i5-9400F Processor, then look here: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/190883/intel-core-i5-9400f-processor-9m-cache-up-to-4-10-ghz.html

it supports up to 2666MHz so as stated look what you already have and get the same.

scottmc

The CPU is an Intel® Core™ i5-9400F Processor @2.90 GHz.

scottmc

I am concerned regarding what I am hearing on this YouTube video. The speaker is saying that the motherboard is reading JEDEC to determine clock speeds for the RAM. He seems to be cautioning the viewer that its actually really hard to find and match the same type of RAM, because manufacturers do not generally list the JEDEC information.

I don't know if Youtube links are allowed here so I wont add the hyperlink unless that's okay. The title of the video was "Upgrading this Pre-built is way harder than it should be" Time stamp 3:55.

batmalin

Kingston list them in their datasheets for example, provide screenshot of the memory tab and SPD tab of the CPU-Z. Youtube links are allowed. Trust the random youtube guy who doesn't know what he is talking about (Base Frequency: PC4-17000 (2133MHz), Tested Frequency: PC4-21300 (2666MHz)) - your choice. MB is reading JEDEC profiles -LOL

scottmc

I wouldn't say that I trust him, but his comments were cause for me to be cautious and concerned. I hope my caution hasn't come across as insulting.

I am a layman about this stuff, and he cited a post written by JordanB from this community who appeared to have two stars and was rated as a Pathfinder, (whatever that means).

I appreciate your efforts to clarify for me.

I understand the CPU-Z will be helpful. I am not familiar with this program so I want to be careful before running it and check its reputability.

batmalin

OK, we can wait, good luck with the check.

scottmc

I have run the CPU-Z report, the information provided within is quite long. Which sections are we interested in? What information should I post?

Processors Information

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Socket 1 ID = 0

Number of cores 6 (max 6)

Number of threads 6 (max 6)

Manufacturer GenuineIntel

Name Intel Core i5 9400F

Codename Coffee Lake

Specification Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400F CPU @ 2.90GHz

Package (platform ID) Socket 1151 LGA (0x1)

CPUID 6.E.A

Extended CPUID 6.9E

Core Stepping U0

Technology 14 nm

TDP Limit 65.0 Watts

Tjmax 100.0 °C

Core Speed 3989.2 MHz

Multiplier x Bus Speed 40.0 x 99.7 MHz

Base frequency (cores) 99.7 MHz

Base frequency (ext.) 99.7 MHz

Stock frequency 2900 MHz

Max frequency 4100 MHz

Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EM64T, VT-x, AVX, AVX2, FMA3

Microcode Revision 0xB4

L1 Data cache 6 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size

L1 Instruction cache 6 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size

L2 cache 6 x 256 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64-byte line size

L3 cache 9 MBytes, 12-way set associative, 64-byte line size

Max CPUID level 00000016h

Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h

Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 2 thread(s)

Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 2 thread(s)

Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 256 KB, 2 thread(s)

Cache descriptor Level 3, U, 9 MB, 16 thread(s)

FID/VID Control yes

Turbo Mode supported, enabled

Max non-turbo ratio 29x

Max turbo ratio 41x

Max efficiency ratio 8x

Speedshift Autonomous

O/C bins none

Ratio 1 core 41x

Ratio 2 cores 40x

Ratio 3 cores 40x

Ratio 4 cores 40x

Ratio 5 cores 39x

Ratio 6 cores 39x

IA Voltage Mode PCU adaptive

IA Voltage Offset 0 mV

GT Voltage Mode PCU adaptive

GT Voltage Offset 0 mV

LLC/Ring Voltage Mode PCU adaptive

LLC/Ring Voltage Offset 0 mV

Agent Voltage Mode PCU adaptive

Agent Voltage Offset 0 mV

TDP Level 65.0 W @ 29x

Temperature 0 38 degC (100 degF) (Package)

Temperature 1 37 degC (98 degF) (Core #0)

Temperature 2 39 degC (102 degF) (Core #1)

Temperature 3 37 degC (98 degF) (Core #2)

Temperature 4 36 degC (96 degF) (Core #3)

Temperature 5 37 degC (98 degF) (Core #4)

Temperature 6 36 degC (96 degF) (Core #5)

Voltage 0 1.16 Volts (VID)

Voltage 1 +0.00 Volts (IA Offset)

Voltage 2 +0.00 Volts (GT Offset)

Voltage 3 +0.00 Volts (LLC/Ring Offset)

Voltage 4 +0.00 Volts (System Agent Offset)

Power 00 15.23 W (Package)

Power 01 4.20 W (IA Cores)

Power 02 n.a. (GT)

Power 03 11.04 W (Uncore)

Power 04 0.53 W (DRAM)

Clock Speed 0 3989.24 MHz (Core #0)

Clock Speed 1 3989.24 MHz (Core #1)

Clock Speed 2 3989.24 MHz (Core #2)

Clock Speed 3 3989.24 MHz (Core #3)

Clock Speed 4 3989.24 MHz (Core #4)

Clock Speed 5 3989.24 MHz (Core #5)

Core 0 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

Core 1 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

Core 2 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

Core 3 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

Core 4 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

Core 5 max ratio 41.0 (effective 40.0)

-------------------------------------------------------

BIOS

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

UEFI Yes

Chipset

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel Coffee Lake rev. 07

Southbridge Intel B360 rev. 10

Graphic Interface PCI-Express

PCI-E Link Width x16

PCI-E Max Link Width x16

Memory Type DDR4

Memory Size 8 GBytes

Channels Single

Memory Frequency 1329.8 MHz (1:20)

CAS# latency (CL) 19.0

RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 19

RAS# Precharge (tRP) 19

Cycle Time (tRAS) 43

Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 467

Command Rate (CR) 2T

Uncore Frequency 3690.0 MHz

Host Bridge 0x3EC2

Memory SPD

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1

SMBus address 0x53

Memory type DDR4

Module format UDIMM

Module Manufacturer(ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000000000)

SDRAM Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000000000)

Size 8192 MBytes

Max bandwidth DDR4-2666 (1333 MHz)

Part number M378A1K43DB2-CTD

Serial number 41773CBB

Manufacturing date Week 47/Year 18

Nominal Voltage 1.20 Volts

EPP no

XMP no

AMP no

JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency

JEDEC #1 10.0-10-10-24-34 @ 727 MHz

JEDEC #2 11.0-11-11-26-37 @ 800 MHz

JEDEC #3 12.0-12-12-28-40 @ 872 MHz

JEDEC #4 13.0-14-14-31-44 @ 945 MHz

JEDEC #5 14.0-14-14-33-47 @ 1018 MHz

JEDEC #6 15.0-15-15-35-50 @ 1090 MHz

JEDEC #7 16.0-16-16-38-54 @ 1163 MHz

JEDEC #8 17.0-17-17-40-57 @ 1236 MHz

JEDEC #9 18.0-18-18-42-60 @ 1309 MHz

JEDEC #10 19.0-19-19-43-61 @ 1333 MHz

JEDEC #11 20.0-19-19-43-61 @ 1333 MHz

batmalin

Screenshot of memory tab and SPD tab

scottmc

Should I be concerned about the 1333 MHz listed next to Memory Frequency ? That seems considerably lower than 2666MHz (precisely half, actually).

Also is ACER capable of supplying customers with additional Memory of the same type for upgrading purposes?

batmalin

DDR means Double Data Rate hence if you doube the 1333 you will get the real speed. Acer can sell you same RAM but you will not like the price. I still don`t see the screenshots requested

scottmc

Here are the CPU-Z tabs requested.

Memory Tab.PNG

SPD Tab.PNG

batmalin

Thanks and you are lucky check here: https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-PC4-21300-2666MHz-Desktop-M378A1K43DB2-CTD/dp/B00XLXWD5S
So you can take 1 more or 3 more it`s up to you.

scottmc

I appreciate your patience with me and my lack of familiarity with the subject matter.

batmalin

No worries, you are welcome! Good luck with the upgrade.

scottmc

Hi Batmalin,

Thanks very much for identifying the correct RAM for me and even going so far as to locate a convenient source for purchase, you have helped me so much. It truly was altruistic of you.

You mentioned that I could purchase 1,2, or 3 more RAM sticks. Does my computer support duel channel memory? If I add 2 or 3 more will my computer operate in triple or quad channel? Should I expect much in the way of noticeable performance improvements for adding more than 1 more RAM stick? Could adding more RAM beyond an additional 1 more stick lead to lower performance?

batmalin

The main performance increase will come from the amount not from the dual channel, best case scenario is to have overall 2 or 4 sticks of RAM.

batmalin

Oh BTW your CPU supports max dual channel.

Memory Specifications

Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)128 GB
Memory TypesDDR4-2666
Max # of Memory Channels2
Max Memory Bandwidth41.6 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported ‡No

scottmc

So, as an update, I have the new 8GB RAM stick, and I am prepared to install it.
I would like to know, if it is best to place the RAM into the slot immediately next to the current stick, or should I space it out one slot or more across the 3 possible open placements?

I notice in this example image I found of another N50 that the RAM sticks are spaced out. Is there a reason for this spacing?