Adding RAM to laptop with onboard memory

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Stubbs

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Hey guys.

I have an ASUS A555LB (i5 5200U 2.2GHz, Geforce 940M 2GB, Windows 10 Home) and I'm looking to add some more RAM to it. Currently it has 4GB DDR3L 1600 onboard and one free slot - can I add an 8GB module to the open slot?

I'm asking because from what I've seen doing research online, it's generally advisable to have your two RAM modules the same size and speed eg. having two 4GB modules rather than one 4GB and one 8GB.

I'd be using it for some casual gaming (BF4, Wargame Red Dragon, Cities Skyline) and 3D Autodesk design work (civil engineering student), so this is why I'm hoping it would be fine to get the 8GB module.

I'm looking at these two options:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148679

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231704

Same specs, but the G.Skill module is CL9 rather than CL11 like the Crucial one.

Thanks

EDIT: I see the G.Skill module only works with 3rd and 4th Gen Intel processors.
 
I would rather see if you can find the same spec ram and get another 4GB to make it 8GB.
Else remove the existing 4GB (sell it?) and put in one 8GB?
Or remove the existing 4GB and put in 2 identical 4GBs
 
It was an issue back with the old first generation pentium motherboards, but it's not so much an issue any more. You can put any size chip in there that is supported by the motherboard.
 
henry1103 said:
I would rather see if you can find the same spec ram and get another 4GB to make it 8GB.
Else remove the existing 4GB (sell it?) and put in one 8GB?
Or remove the existing 4GB and put in 2 identical 4GBs
Click to expand...

It's onboard memory, so I can't remove it. There's only one open slot

It was an issue back with the old first generation pentium motherboards, but it's not so much an issue any more. You can put any size chip in there that is supported by the motherboard.
Click to expand...

This is what I hoped to hear!
 
To be able to use more than 3 GB, you will need to install 64 bit Windows, which requires a complete reinstall, which means you will need to install all apps & data, so make sure you are fully backed up.
 
Make sure that the RAM you purchase operates at 1.35v at 1600MHz first. There's no guarantees that a SODIMM stick at 1.5v will run perfectly fine at 1.35v, and the XMP profile for it might force the BIOS to underclock both sets of memory.
 
bekdik said:
To be able to use more than 3 GB, you will need to install 64 bit Windows, which requires a complete reinstall, which means you will need to install all apps & data, so make sure you are fully backed up.
Click to expand...

I do have 64bit Windows, thanks.

Make sure that the RAM you purchase operates at 1.35v at 1600MHz first. There's no guarantees that a SODIMM stick at 1.5v will run perfectly fine at 1.35v, and the XMP profile for it might force the BIOS to underclock both sets of memory.
Click to expand...

I ran the Crucial memory scanner, which suggests upgrades that are compatible with your system. The RAM it suggested is the Crucial RAM I mentioned in my post - which does run at 1.35V 1600MHz. Thanks!
 
One last thing you need to follow before doing the upgrade, before you turn off the PC to put the RAM in.

Code: 
shutdown /s

You need to input that command into CMD. This performs a full shutdown of your PC, rather than a hybrid shutdown that might bring up page file errors when you're swapping the new RAM in. Not doing this bit a friend of mine in the ass today, and it's not fun.
 
Stubbs said:
Hey guys.

I have an ASUS A555LB (i5 5200U 2.2GHz, Geforce 940M 2GB, Windows 10 Home) and I'm looking to add some more RAM to it. Currently it has 4GB DDR3L 1600 onboard and one free slot - can I add an 8GB module to the open slot?

I'm asking because from what I've seen doing research online, it's generally advisable to have your two RAM modules the same size and speed eg. having two 4GB modules rather than one 4GB and one 8GB.

I'd be using it for some casual gaming (BF4, Wargame Red Dragon, Cities Skyline) and 3D Autodesk design work (civil engineering student), so this is why I'm hoping it would be fine to get the 8GB module.

I'm looking at these two options:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148679

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231704

Same specs, but the G.Skill module is CL9 rather than CL11 like the Crucial one.

Thanks

EDIT: I see the G.Skill module only works with 3rd and 4th Gen Intel processors.
Click to expand...

I think if you take the laptop apart you will find the memory is not integrated. Their just trying to build the machines cheaper so they don't make a access panel for it in the chassis.
 
ODTech said:
I think if you take the laptop apart you will find the memory is not integrated. Their just trying to build the machines cheaper so they don't make a access panel for it in the chassis.
Click to expand...

This is the PCB for the A/X555LA, which was Haswell-based. ASUS started soldering on the initial 4GB of RAM when they refreshed the X550JK (Haswell, Geforce GT840M) and replaced it with the X550JL. They do it to many of their consumer models now, even the netbooks. It is infuriating sometimes.

View attachment 333157
 
bekdik said:
To be able to use more than 3 GB, you will need to install 64 bit Windows, which requires a complete reinstall, which means you will need to install all apps & data, so make sure you are fully backed up.
Click to expand...

4GB.
It's got a GeForce 940M, so I am pretty sure they'd have loaded 64bit on it.
 
Johnatan56 said:
4GB.
It's got a GeForce 940M, so I am pretty sure they'd have loaded 64bit on it.
Click to expand...

Can't remember the correct RAM. Actually 3 point something GB. 4GB not fully used in a 32bit system

That is why it is often said as only 3GB.
It is a windows x32 limitation
 
Venomous said:
Can't remember the correct RAM. Actually 3 point something GB. 4GB not fully used in a 32bit system

That is why it is often said as only 3GB.
It is a windows x32 limitation
Click to expand...

That was the memory reserved by system if I remember correctly.
 
CataclysmZA said:
One last thing you need to follow before doing the upgrade, before you turn off the PC to put the RAM in.

Code: 
shutdown /s

You need to input that command into CMD. This performs a full shutdown of your PC, rather than a hybrid shutdown that might bring up page file errors when you're swapping the new RAM in. Not doing this bit a friend of mine in the ass today, and it's not fun.
Click to expand...

I didn't know this. Thank you!

I think if you take the laptop apart you will find the memory is not integrated. Their just trying to build the machines cheaper so they don't make a access panel for it in the chassis.
Click to expand...

It is indeed onboard memory - I don't think it can be removed. The memory slot looks the same as this guy's: http://imgur.com/a/ZE0WD

Can't remember the correct RAM. Actually 3 point something GB. 4GB not fully used in a 32bit system

That is why it is often said as only 3GB.
It is a windows x32 limitation
Click to expand...

I have the 64bit version of Windows 10.
 
AirWolf said:
Have never seen that before. So what happens if the build in RAM gives up?
Click to expand...

Replace MB or get someone to desolder chips & replace them.

Quite a common practice these days, apple are the pioneers :D
 
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