RAM Upgrade - Helios 300

danetime · November 2021

I'm planning to upgrade the RAM of my Helios 300. Currently it has the stock 8 GB RAM. Based on CPU-Z, it is a Samsung 3200 mhz, CL 21.
Here are my understanding on what should I prioritize when adding another stick of RAM:
1. It should be the same size (+ 8GB) for it to be dual channel.
2. Same frequency. If I used a lower frequency the higher will match its speed with the lower frequency.
3. The lower the CL the better. Can I match RAMs with different CL?
4a. Dual rank is better than single rank RAM. How to check what rank is my RAM?
4b. If the current installed is a single rank RAM, x8 is better than x16. How to check this?
5. To get the best performance possible but not necessarily required, it is suggested to get two sticks of RAM from the same brand and same batch production.

Kindly correct me there are any incorrect information. Feel free to add if you any other suggestions when upgrading RAM.

Thank you!

//Edited the content to add model name.

danetime · November 2021

Additional items:
6. The type of RAM needed is DDR4 SODIMM.
7. What are the suggested brands? From where I'm from the usually available are: Kingston, Adata, Crucial.

JTGlass · November 2021

I've been looking at upgrading my memory as well, however, I've not found an actual document on the specifications for acceptable memory for my Helios 300 PH315-54. So I've been hesitating on which to actually I purchase. I would say as of lately 90% of my replacement memory I have gone with G.Skill, and have used the Ripjaws SO-DIMM 3x different times/laptops and have been very pleased with performance as well as durability, meaning they're all still currently running without issues. Oldest set is April 2012. Most brands are adhering to international standards for manufacturing chips, so I would recommend going with what you have had experience and confidence with. I have used Kingston, Crucial, Corsair, G.Skill, just to list a few.

From my understanding to get the best out of your memory, its best NOT to mix CAS Latency since this has to do with clock cycles. You may get lucky and using non-matching set just works, or it may not. I personally do not mix match RAM having different CL.

Also to the average user, there is not a noticeable difference between the CL. To high-end performance users/gamers, sure. You'll also notice a fair difference in the price, however, so if you really can't really justify that extra $100 spending for the lower CL, then you'll most likely still be alright saving it.

Dual vs. single... what most people are talking about with this isn't actually memory specific, its whether or not the motherboard operates on a single channel bus or 2. More often than not, what people are really getting at is using 1 ram stick or 2. To get the most from this performance gain, I actually go with what you said for #5, I will buy the set of 2 together/matching RAM sticks. This will utilize 2 memory banks/ports over just one therefore allowing increase of data/communication flow between RAM and the motherboard.

If your laptop currently has 8gb 3200mhz cl21 built in/not removable, my recommendation would be to get a matching 16gb 3200 cl21 stick, this will optimize the clock cycles and speed in which your motherboard is running. If the 8gb is not built in and you have 2 banks available, then personally I would remove the 8gb and get 2 matching sticks of 16gb to get all you're able to get.

I know when I was first starting to get into specifics like this; having someone just to confirm what I was researching helped me make decisions.

Hopefully this all helps you!

cheers

xapim · November 2021

@danetime check your cpu max support specs and get hyperx or vengeance are the best you can get dual channel set good luck

just bare in mind to run 3200mhz you need to have a 11th gen cpu min as 10th only runs at 2933 max and forget your stock ram sell it or keep it get e proper dual channel set as i already advised good luck