Assistance with RAM!

JovenChng

Hello! Thank you for clicking into my post! (Sorry for the repost, I thought it would be clearer this way).

Context:

I have a Gaming Notebook (Nitro 5 AN515-52-732M). It comes with 8GB 2400MHz CL17. My laptop has a dual RAM slot and I would like to make use of the Dual-Channeling for RAM. Hence, I was considering to upgrade it with another 8GB RAM while making use of the dual-channel.

I found this Kingston HyperX 8GB RAM 2666MHz CL15 HX426S15IB2/8 which also have the same Form Factor of SODIMM as my already-installed RAM. I chose the 2666MHz RAM as there are sales for it which made it cheaper than the same series but 2400MHz RAM.
I understand that the frequency for HyperX would be underclocked to 2400MHz and have CL17 instead of CL 15.

Questions:

As such, I would like to ask: If I were to buy and install the Kingston HyperX RAM, would it even be compatible with my current RAM? How much would the Dual-Channeling be affected? Or, as a whole, do you’ve other recommendations for other RAM I can purchase that is compatible?

Here's the Kingston HyperX RAM link: https://www.lazada.sg/products/kingston-hyperx-impact-8gb-1x8gb-ddr4-2666mhz-cl15-12v-sodimm-black-laptop-memory-hx426s15ib28-i457636927-s1227930508.html??dsource=share&laz_share_info=9390213_103_100_1003194384_7502329_null&laz_token=f8086049d72024777b165756ae226fc1

Thank you so much for reading!! I would really really appreciate it!

aphanic

Hello @JovenChng!

JovenChng said:

I understand that the frequency for HyperX would be underclocked to 2400MHz and have CL17 instead of CL 15.

That understanding may be wrong I'm afraid, you can't be sure it will run at that CAS latency if it's able to run at 15 on 2666 MHz, its spec sheet, although limited about the information it says doesn't say much about it either but it seems to have a profile for running at CL15 at 2400 MHz.

If it serves, I'm running the big brother of that stick, the 16 GB version and these are the profiles it has:



Which seem to complement what the spec sheet listed for the 8 GB version, at 2400 MHz, its CAS latency is 14. Remember the first D of DDR stands for double, we're looking at the line listed as 1200 MHz frequency there.

So, answering you questions, I don't think it would be compatible with what you have. I wrote a guide on RAM upgrades, most of which you can skip if you want but for dual channel to work even with the rather permissive memory controllers we have nowadays timings must match: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/608352/guide-how-to-find-out-if-you-can-upgrade-the-ram-and-which-one-you-need

A sure way of getting knowing that for sure is buying matched pairs, those that are already sold in pairs or packs of 4. Those are guaranteed to work in dual channel or quad channel mode without problem.

Another option is to buy a second hand stick exactly the same as you have installed right now, which could be difficult but you may find in eBay or something. Because many times the sticks put in laptops are tailor made for manufacturers and not parts you can buy off the shelve, but because people tend to upgrade what they do is sell the stick they don't need; so that's another option for you.

My recommendation will always be, ditch the one you have, sell it for example, and buy a matched pair that is appropriate for the processor you're running.

aphanic

Hello @JovenChng!

JovenChng said:

I understand that the frequency for HyperX would be underclocked to 2400MHz and have CL17 instead of CL 15.

That understanding may be wrong I'm afraid, you can't be sure it will run at that CAS latency if it's able to run at 15 on 2666 MHz, its spec sheet, although limited about the information it says doesn't say much about it either but it seems to have a profile for running at CL15 at 2400 MHz.

If it serves, I'm running the big brother of that stick, the 16 GB version and these are the profiles it has:



Which seem to complement what the spec sheet listed for the 8 GB version, at 2400 MHz, its CAS latency is 14. Remember the first D of DDR stands for double, we're looking at the line listed as 1200 MHz frequency there.

So, answering you questions, I don't think it would be compatible with what you have. I wrote a guide on RAM upgrades, most of which you can skip if you want but for dual channel to work even with the rather permissive memory controllers we have nowadays timings must match: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/608352/guide-how-to-find-out-if-you-can-upgrade-the-ram-and-which-one-you-need

A sure way of getting knowing that for sure is buying matched pairs, those that are already sold in pairs or packs of 4. Those are guaranteed to work in dual channel or quad channel mode without problem.

Another option is to buy a second hand stick exactly the same as you have installed right now, which could be difficult but you may find in eBay or something. Because many times the sticks put in laptops are tailor made for manufacturers and not parts you can buy off the shelve, but because people tend to upgrade what they do is sell the stick they don't need; so that's another option for you.

My recommendation will always be, ditch the one you have, sell it for example, and buy a matched pair that is appropriate for the processor you're running.

JovenChng

aphanic said:

Hello @JovenChng!

JovenChng said:

I understand that the frequency for HyperX would be underclocked to 2400MHz and have CL17 instead of CL 15.

That understanding may be wrong I'm afraid, you can't be sure it will run at that CAS latency if it's able to run at 15 on 2666 MHz, its spec sheet, although limited about the information it says doesn't say much about it either but it seems to have a profile for running at CL15 at 2400 MHz.

If it serves, I'm running the big brother of that stick, the 16 GB version and these are the profiles it has:



Which seem to complement what the spec sheet listed for the 8 GB version, at 2400 MHz, its CAS latency is 14. Remember the first D of DDR stands for double, we're looking at the line listed as 1200 MHz frequency there.

So, answering you questions, I don't think it would be compatible with what you have. I wrote a guide on RAM upgrades, most of which you can skip if you want but for dual channel to work even with the rather permissive memory controllers we have nowadays timings must match: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/608352/guide-how-to-find-out-if-you-can-upgrade-the-ram-and-which-one-you-need

A sure way of getting knowing that for sure is buying matched pairs, those that are already sold in pairs or packs of 4. Those are guaranteed to work in dual channel or quad channel mode without problem.

Another option is to buy a second hand stick exactly the same as you have installed right now, which could be difficult but you may find in eBay or something. Because many times the sticks put in laptops are tailor made for manufacturers and not parts you can buy off the shelve, but because people tend to upgrade what they do is sell the stick they don't need; so that's another option for you.

My recommendation will always be, ditch the one you have, sell it for example, and buy a matched pair that is appropriate for the processor you're running.

thank you so much for your very very detailed help!
I understand it better now, thank you!
I will read up on your guide and make informed decisions. Thank you so much for your time!

aphanic

Not at all, I'm glad to have been of help.

Unlike hard drives which are pretty much, get a new one, plug it in and that's it with RAM there are more considerations to be taken I'm afraid. And some systems are picky as hell too, which doesn't help

JovenChng

aphanic said:

Not at all, I'm glad to have been of help.

Unlike hard drives which are pretty much, get a new one, plug it in and that's it with RAM there are more considerations to be taken I'm afraid. And some systems are picky as hell too, which doesn't help

i understand haha
also, would adding RAM to my Nitro 515-52-732M void the warranty? there’s a sticker on one of the screw but not on the RAM component 

batmalin

You are good, no warranty will be voided by upgrading the RAM.

JovenChng

batmalin said:

You are good, no warranty will be voided by upgrading the RAM.

nice! thank u!

aphanic

That I believe depends on your jurisdiction and laws. For example in the USA those stickers are illegal since 2018, in the European Union it wouldn't pose a problem either, but it really depends on laws and all.

Common sense, it shouldn't, if you're doing it properly swapping one for the other there's no risk of damaging anything, but they could claim the warranty is void because the sticker is missing, etc. I'd just replace it anyway though

batmalin

There are a separate RAM and HDD covers on those models and you are allowed to upgrade as the sticker is on a screw which holds the bottom cover.