topic Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade in PCs & Accessories

VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:49:58 GMT

Hello to all Vaio users
i wish to upgrade my 317m's memory to 1GB.
now, it has its original memory (ie 2x256 MB DDR2 400 PC2-3200).
i saw many different informations about this computer's memory, so i ask for a little help in this thread

first, i could read in user's manual that maximum memory is 1GB, on this computer. but in Sony knowledge base, it says 2GB
...who should i believe ?

second, i could notice that this computer is equipped with Intel 915 PM chipset (that means, theorically, 2GB max of DDR2 533).

so my question is the following, can i put DDR2 533 MHz (PC2-4200) in my Vaio ? If yes, can i put 2BG, and will it run at 533 MHz ? (because now i have 512MB DDR2-400 memory)

in advance, thanks for your help
regards
Maelstrom

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Thalamus. — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 16:23:46 GMT

Here is a link toCrucial.com they list the modules that they state are compatible with your system, or Alternatively you could use The Crucial System Scanner

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 17:17:22 GMT

Wao !
i didn't know Crucial.
this site and scanner are very interesting
thanks a lot, Thalamus for these links and information

Seems i can put 2 x 1GB DDR2 533 on this Vaio
I still have one last question : does anyone know if 533 Mhz DDR2 will really run at 533 Mhz ? According to chipset specs, it should be ok, but has anyone tried it ?

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 20:41:42 GMT

SiSoft Sandra says max memory speed is 4x133, so PC2-4200 should be ok on this computer.
but...is there a jumper to select memory speed ? or does the motherboard automagically adapt memory speed according to memory type ?

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

rich912 — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:23:25 GMT

..is there a jumper to select memory speed ?

No jumper setting is necessary, just install the memory, boot up and all should be hunky-dory:smileyhappy:

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 00:32:07 GMT

Oh that's great news, i will try this as soon as possible
Thanks a lot Rich !

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Thalamus. — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 13:47:06 GMT

Wao !  
i didn't know Crucial.
this site and scanner are very interesting
thanks a lot, Thalamus for these links and information

Your welcome maelstrom.

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 17:40:17 GMT

Now i just have to order new 533 memory modules

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Eugenepang — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 12:11:52 GMT

go for 2x1G!!! coz i just did :smileygrin:

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 18:01:03 GMT

Oh really ?
Wao that's great :smileygrin:
Thanks a lot for the advice, Eugenepang
i will do it
did you take 533MHz memory ?

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 11:18:27 GMT

If someone tried with PC2-4200 memory, and could check it's running at 533 Mhz (and not 400), please tell me if it works
i would like to be sure before buying
thanks a lot in advance

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

wheresmybeaver — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 19:14:16 GMT

I had 512mb in my A217M (2 x 256mb) and I ordered a 1GB module from Crucial. Just swapped it with one of the old 256mb modules and away it went. 1.25GB memory now, makes quite a nice difference! Defintely worth the money

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 21:47:39 GMT

Oh very nice
thanks for the information
so, mixed memory modules are wroking fine...that's a good thing to know
everyone around here seems to like crucial...i should follow your advice, and buy my memory there. seems working fine with the Vaio :smileygrin:
thank you again !

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Thalamus. — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 22:41:53 GMT

Hi maelstrom,

You may find this thread regarding increasing RAM of interest.

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 11:11:29 GMT

Thanks a lot again, Thalamus
your advices are always useful
i could find some information on several commercial sites, saying this Vaio is shipped with pc2-4200 memory...but Sony doesn't seem to sell this kind of memory...mmm i will investigate more

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Thalamus. — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 11:20:59 GMT

Thanks a lot again, Thalamus  
your advices are always useful 
i could find some information on several commercial sites, saying this Vaio is shipped with pc2-4200 memory...but Sony doesn't seem to sell this kind of memory...mmm i will investigate more

maelstrom,

The good thing with Crucial if you follow the three easy steps of the Crucial Memory tool, they find the right memory for your computer or motherboard. GUARANTEED! or your money back?

At the end of the day though you have to sure that you have made the right choice.

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

Thalamus. — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 22:56:12 GMT

Oh guaranteed...i see i see
that's great, i understand better why everyone likes crucial now  
seems to be most reliable choice, and best quality/price ratio (sony's "official" memory is really expensive  )
again, thank you a lot, Thalamus, for all your help and advices   
now, i know where to buy

You're welcome maelstrom. :smileygrin:

Re: VGN-A317M & Memory Upgrade

maelstrom — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 23:05:39 GMT

Oh guaranteed...i see i see
that's great, i understand better why everyone likes crucial now
seems to be most reliable choice, and best quality/price ratio (sony's "official" memory is really expensive )
again, thank you a lot, Thalamus, for all your help and advices
now, i know where to buy