How to know the maximum supported RAM on my laptop?

Question

I have an Acer Aspire 5738 laptop (without Graphics Card; only on-board Graphics). It came factory produced with 3GB DDR3 RAM (2GB + 1GB) and only 2 slots of RAM (which as mentioned, are factory-occupied). Now, I want to upgrade my 1GB module, leaving the 2GB module untouched.

I am operating Windows-7 64-bit (because Windows Upgrade Advisor told me that my computer supports 64-bit) and therefore have the scope of expanding my RAM up to 192GB from OS' viewpoint.

However, the OEM Guide (Acer's guide for 5738/5338 users) lists the following under "System Memory":

- Dual-Channel SDRAM support
- Up to 2 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules* 
- Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules*
Note: * Only for certain models.
Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.

So this has me in the splits...which one of these two applies to my system?

Surprisingly, Acer's support has no information on this! (They don't deal with "hardware issues"! :D)

I tried CPU-Z. It gave me the following information about my motherboard:

But that's the farthest I've been able to reach...

So now, I have the following two questions:

1. How do I know the max RAM supported on my laptop?
2. CPU-Z says that the two soDIMM RAM modules (2GB + 1GB) are each 533MHz. So to replace my 1GB RAM module with a higher capacity RAM module, would I need to buy a 533 MHz soDIMM module or a 1066 MHz module?

FYI...CPU-Z gave the following information under Memory Tab:

Further, under the SPD tab, it gives me the following information about the two RAM modules that came factory-installed on my laptop:

I tried Crucial's System Scanner tool. But it didn't find any compatible upgrades. So I used their Advisor Tool by manually feeding my laptop model. But the compatible RAM modules it threw up were 1600 SODIMMs which obviously doesn't match Acer's 1066 soDIMM specification. So I can't blindly trust Crucial either.

Solution 1

According to these specs here

The Max is 8GB so that would be 2@4GB Sticks

Memory 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 800 SDRAM / DDR2 667 SDRAM
Total slots : 2
Max : 8GB (2 x 4GB)

So if you want to leave the 2GB stick untouched, you could get a 4GB DDR3 and have 6GB all together.

So based on you info you supplied:

However, the OEM Guide (Acer's guide for 5738/5338 users) lists the following under "System Memory":

• Dual-Channel SDRAM support
• Up to 2 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules*
• Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules* Note: * Only for certain models. Note: The specifications listed above are for reference only. The exact configuration of your PC depends on the model purchased.

EDIT: I found this out from here: Link (CNET Website / PDF Document)

System memory:

• Dual-channel DDR3 SDRAM support
  
• Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory,
  upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules (for 64-bit OS)
  
• Up to 2 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory,
  upgradeable to 4 GB using two soDIMM modules (for 32-bit OS)
  

EDIT: After Reviewing the Model (Part) numbers of your installed memory, they are 1066Mhz modules, but your system is reporting 533Mhz, which usually is cause by errors in one or both of the memory modules, therefore the system slows the clock speed down till either no or little errors are reported. Knowing which one has the error would take running memory test.
You can download the Ultimate Boot CD and run a tool called Memtest86 or Memtest86+ to see if it will find which one this is, it will stress test and see if it can find errors.

Also did you know there is a recall on these (Link Here)

Solution 2

There is a command which will tell your machine's MAX supported RAM.

Described on this other question: Definitively determine motherboard maximum memory capability

Comments

[ComputerUser]

Thanks! But the Memory section of your link says "4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 800 SDRAM / DDR2 667 SDRAM"...neither of which is applicable to me as per Acer's Guide. That makes me nervous....Is there a way to arrive at a more definitive answer?

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

Sorry. I updated with a better link and more info. It turns out that it depends on the OS, 64bit vs 32bit

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

Also I noted there was a recall on this model with a link to that information also

[ComputerUser]

Yeah...my unit didn't need the recall! Thanks! But I think I'm back to where we started...whether the max supported RAM is 8GB (2 x 4GB), or 4GB (2 x 2GB)..

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

You said you run Windows 7 64-bit, so the answer according to the data is 8GB Max

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

The part where is says 4GB(2 x 2GB) is just what it is shipped with, how you ended up with only 3GB ( 2GB + 1GB) I am not sure.

[ComputerUser]

Mine came shipped with 3GB. Acer marketed it with 3GB and that's what it delivered. Anyway...any idea about my second question?

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

I added that info in the bottom

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

[AJ Smith 'Smugger']

If this answer helped you please consider up voting it, if it answered your question please accept it, I would really appreciate that, if there is anything else you need please let me know.

[ComputerUser]

Thanks! My laptop indeed supported up to 8GB DDR3 ram... 2 sticks of 4GB each.