Anyone know about laptop memory upgrades?

[PatrickO]

I'm looking to upgrade the memory on my laptop (Acer Aspire 5741) from 4gb to 8gb. The label on the front says its DDR3

Two questions:

1. Is that something I can do myself? I've done memory upgrades on a desktop and that was pretty easy, but opening the back of a laptop seems scary.

2. Does it matter what memory I buy? Is all DDR3 the same connectors? And where to buy?

Thanks guys.

 

[neil_g]

there is a computers section

it will matter what memory you get. regarding speeds. most memory makers have a wizard on their site for getting the correct one.

 

[tijuana taxi]

All you need to know is here http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Changing it is very simple and should take all of about five minutes

 

[AHILL]

Hi Patrick.

Laptop memory upgrades can be a bit of a challenge depending on the model.
most of the time the memory chips are behind a little cover on the back which are just clipped in/out with similar chip lock to a PC but on their sides.
some manufacturers place their main system memory inside and only allow half the chips to be replaced or added.

yes generally it is easy to change the memory yourself but check if all the chips are changeble.

Another point worth covering is why you need more than 4GB?
unless you are running a 64bit operating system more than 4GB will be waisted.
this is due to 32bit operating systems having a 4GB limit.

hope this helps.

 

[PatrickO]

there is a computers section
it will matter what memory you get. regarding speeds. most memory makers have a wizard on their site for getting the correct one.

Sorry if in wrong section. mods feel free to move it.

All you need to know is here http://www.crucial.com/uk/
Changing it is very simple and should take all of about five minutes

Thanks, I'll look at that.

Hi Patrick.

Laptop memory upgrades can be a bit of a challenge depending on the model.
most of the time the memory chips are behind a little cover on the back which are just clipped in/out with similar chip lock to a PC but on their sides.
some manufacturers place their main system memory inside and only allow half the chips to be replaced or added.

yes generally it is easy to change the memory yourself but check if all the chips are changeble.

Another point worth covering is why you need more than 4GB?
unless you are running a 64bit operating system more than 4GB will be waisted.
this is due to 32bit operating systems having a 4GB limit.

hope this helps.

Thanks Andrew, I have a 64bit system. I want to upgrade to help with games. Want to run Skyrim and my system only meets minimum requirements and memory upgrade seem the easiest/best thing to improve performance.

There are three covers on the back. One is the battery I think. Then thre's a little one about 3x6cm and a big one lol. I'll take a peek behind the covers this evening.

 

[sirkuk]

As said, use the Crucial website to determine what memory you need.

As for installing the memory, Acer laptops tend to be easy. On the back, they'll be an access panel specifically for the RAM or a panel you need to unscrew and unclip to access the insides. I know some of their netbooks were a bit more involved but majority of Acer laptops are a doddle.

To remove the old RAM, operate the clips either side and the RAM will pop up on an angle. Pull out. Fitting RAM is more or less the same. Push into slot at about a 45 degree angle and press down into clips. Plenty of videos online if you need a more thorough explanation.

Good luck.

 

[mrdaviesuk]

If you can see a panel section on the bottom of the laptop, it is worth opening it (usually it's just a single screw) to see what, if anything, is currently in it.

If you find a module in place, it should have sticker on it telling you what size it is. Albeit you might have to remove the module to check, as it may be on the opposite side. If that is the case, there are two small spring clips at each side of the module holding it in place usually - just ease them outwards and the module will normally *pop* up at one end - just pull it out at that angle.

Once you know what chip it is, you then know what you need to buy - size wise. It's not uncommon to find, for example, to find a 2Gb module in this "expansion" slot - with the other 2Gb buried in a less inaccessible slot inside the case.

Therefore in order to get 8Gb total, you might need to buy a 6Gb module (unlikely to be cheap), but also possibly not available or supported in that module. However the Crucial memory checker will help guide you once you know roughly what you want.

 

[Steep]

Double check that your laptop will actually take 8gb before buying, the Crucial site should help with that if your manual is not around.