Supported memory speeds

[Bond007]

Wasn't sure if this should go in ram or mobile computing section, so feel free to move if its better suited in the other section.

I am looking at an Acer laptop (a8-3500m CPU) that comes with 4gb ddr3 1066. I know llano based cpu/gpu can get some benefits from extra memory bandwidth in games and am wondering if all current laptops supports 1333/1600 etc or if its laptop dependent and some only accept 1066? If I get the laptop I would up it to 8GB of faster ram if it will take it. Cannot find an answer with google or any user manuals on the Acer website with that kind of specifics (it just tells you how to replace it).

[Mayoo]

Assuming you are talking about model AS5560G-6344G64Mnkk, here is the ncix link that provides the information.

Acer Aspire AS5560G-SB413 A6-3400M 1.4GHZ 4GB 640GB 15.6IN HD6470M 1GB DVDRW HDMI W7HP Notebook - Acer - LX.RNU02.018

Memory
Maximum Memory: 8 GB
Memory Card Reader: Yes
Memory Card Supported: Secure Digital (SD) Card
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
xD-Picture Card
Memory Standard: DDR3-1066/PC3-8500
Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
Number of Total Memory Slots: 2
Standard Memory: 4 GB

[Bond007]

that not the exact model, but same idea. I read that as, it comes with 4gb of 1066 ddr3 ram and can support up to 8 gb. My question is does it only support 1066 ram or could it take faster (for example 1333 or 1600 ddr3)?

[JD]

You could put faster RAM in it, but it will not run at anything above 1066MHz. It would be a waste of money, unless the faster speed was cheaper for some reason.

If you replace all the RAM though, it should be able to run DDR3-1333 (as that's what the CPU supports), unless the BIOS is severely crippled.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by JD

You could put faster RAM in it, but it will not run at anything above 1066MHz. It would be a waste of money, unless the faster speed was cheaper for some reason.

If you replace all the RAM though, it should be able to run DDR3-1333 (as that's what the CPU supports), unless the BIOS is severely crippled.

I really wasn't clear enough in my original post this time...ugh. Understood that if I mix 1066 and 1333 it will run at the slower speed, but I was unsure of if the MOB/CPU would support 1333 if all the ram was replaced, or if it would have a max of 1066 regardless of the ram used. I am very familiar with how this all works on a desktop, but am not familiar on a laptop or with Acer's bios options.

[JD]

Technically speaking, it should be capable of running at 1333MHz as the memory controller is built into the CPU, not the motherboard/chipset. However, Acer could have gimped on the BIOS and limited it to 1066MHz for whatever reason.

The price between 1066 and 1333 shouldn't be a big deal though, so no harm in trying 1333 I'd say.

[Bond007]

Originally Posted by JD

Technically speaking, it should be capable of running at 1333MHz as the memory controller is built into the CPU, not the motherboard/chipset. However, Acer could have gimped on the BIOS and limited it to 1066MHz for whatever reason.

The price between 1066 and 1333 shouldn't be a big deal though, so no harm in trying 1333 I'd say.

Thanks for the response. Anyone have any experience with any llano based Acer laptops that can comment?