Edge e530c Ram upgrade

[qrafzv0]

Hey,

I recently bought a new 4GB memory card. I wanted to add it to the current one to have 8GB.

Each of them works separately, but when I try using both the laptop won't boot.

This is the new stick:



And this is the original stick that came with the laptop (took it from google but it's the same model exactly):





Any ideas?


Thank you!

[Screamer]

Does it POST, at the very least? Or does it not power-up? More details would be appreciated.

Did you try cleaning the RAM modules' contacts with an eraser?

[qrafzv0]

Does it POST, at the very least? Or does it not power-up? More details would be appreciated.

Did you try cleaning the RAM modules' contacts with an eraser?

Hey, thanks!

It seems it's up for one sec but doesn't continue booting. The power light shows it's on. I figured the blue one is 1333Mhz. I guess the problem is the new one is 1600Mhz, although I read this just means the system will use both as a 1333Mhz. Regardless, I updated my BIOS but that didn't really help. After updating and cleaning the contacts, I tried using both and it didn't work. Then I tried just the new one and it didn't work and only after few tries I succeeded booting with the old one.

[Screamer]

I figured the blue one is 1333Mhz.

The Ramaxel module has a PC3-12800S marking, right? That's DDR3-1600, not DDR3-1333.

Then I tried just the new one and it didn't work and only after few tries I succeeded booting with the old one.

Something is off with your new RAM module, have you tried any spare DDR3 modules to boot with the old Ramaxel module?

[qrafzv0]

The Ramaxel module has a PC3-12800S marking, right? That's DDR3-1600, not DDR3-1333.

This is the output I got on RAM when checking Hardware:

Code: Select all

        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: SODIMM
        Bank Locator: BANK 2
        Type: DDR3
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1333 MT/s
        Configured Memory Speed: 1333 MT/s

Something is off with your new RAM module, have you tried any spare DDR3 modules to boot with the old Ramaxel module?

Don't have any.
The strange thing is the new one workerd alone the first time I tried it, and then when I placed only the old one it worked on the first try. After updating the BIOS took some tries to boot even with the old one.
Maybe I need to clean the slots? Or is it really the frequency?

[Screamer]

I suspect that you have a dual-core Sandy Bridge processor installed in your E530c, which does not support the DDR3-1600 speed offered by the Ramaxel module. That may explain the underclocked RAM.

Doubt it, although I believe that it has something to do with Rowhammer. The BIOS changelog of your E530 states that it has been updated to 'enhance' security by apparently adding in work-arounds to protect the RAM from Rowhammer attacks.

[qrafzv0]

Thanks again for the help.

Here is the CPU and BIOS info:

Code: Select all

  Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2348M CPU @ 2.30GHz
        Voltage: 1.0 V
        External Clock: 100 MHz
        Max Speed: 2300 MHz
        Current Speed: 2300 MHz
        Status: Populated, Enabled
        Core Count: 2
        Core Enabled: 2
        Thread Count: 4

          Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2348M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 1354 MHz
                       Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2348M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 1100 MHz
                       Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2348M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 1666 MHz
                       Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2348M CPU @ 2.30GHz, 1206 MHz


BIOS Information

        Vendor: LENOVO
        Version: H0ET98WW (2.58 )
        Release Date: 08/18/2016
        Runtime Size: 128 kB
        ROM Size: 4096 kB
        Characteristics:
                PCI is supported
                PNP is supported
                BIOS is upgradeable
                BIOS shadowing is allowed
                Boot from CD is supported
                Selectable boot is supported
                EDD is supported
                3.5"/720 kB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
                Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
                8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
                Serial services are supported (int 14h)
                Printer services are supported (int 17h)
                CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
                ACPI is supported
                USB legacy is supported
                BIOS boot specification is supported
                Targeted content distribution is supported
                UEFI is supported
        BIOS Revision: 2.58
        Firmware Revision: 2.58

I'm using Linux Kubuntu if that matters.

[Screamer]

Just as I had thought, your E530c does have a processor that does not support DDR3-1600 speeds.

You could try cleaning the RAM slots as a last resort, but I am convinced that it has something to do with your new RAM module. The Rowhammer work-arounds that were added to the BIOS may have only worsened the issue regarding your new RAM module. In any case, I would advise buying another RAM module that isn't from a sketchy brand.

[qrafzv0]

Bummer...
So do you suggest buying a 1333Mhz or 1600Mhz? What would work the best with the Ramaxel module?
And do you know where can I find one?

Thanks so much for all the help!

[Screamer]

DDR3-1600, that is if you are planning to upgrade the processor in the future. If you are not planning any sort of upgrades, stick with DDR3-1333.

Any RAM module with identical specifications will work best with the Ramaxel module, such as this Hynix DDR3-1600 module.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, you could try a DDR3L-1600 module or a DDR3-1333 module.