Changing RAM in a laptop. Replacing RAM on a laptop

Laptops are essentially the same computers, only portable. Because of this useful properties, like mobility, you have to sacrifice something. IN in this case You sacrifice their maintainability and power. Unfortunately, the processor in them, like the video chip, cannot be changed, but you can increase the volume random access memory. Most more or less modern laptops have two RAM slots, often only one of them is occupied, which allows you to expand the RAM.

Today, laptops can have up to 32 GB of RAM, but if you decide to increase the volume, you probably have less RAM. The biggest disadvantage of all laptops is that you need to disassemble them with caution, one awkward movement and you can bend a contact somewhere, and this, in turn, is fraught with a short circuit. You don’t need to be an electrician or a person versed in technology to understand what exactly a short circuit leads to. In this case, it will result in burnt fuses, or even a completely burnt motherboard. So be careful!

Increasing the amount of RAM on laptops

First, I would like to start with the basics. If you have a very old laptop and it only has 1-2 GB of RAM, but according to its technical characteristics it supports as many as four gigabytes, you should know one nuance. Above 3.5 GB of RAM you need to install a 64-bit operating system.

It should also be mentioned that there are different types memory. At the time of writing, there are four of them - DDR1 - DDR5. They differ from each other in different frequencies and, accordingly, speed of operation.

Also, RAM can be one-, two-, three- and four-channel. That is, one, two, three or four slots work together. The more threads, the higher the final computing speed. The performance gains are especially noticeable in games. graphic editors and browsers (if open a large number of tabs).

How to find out what type of RAM is in my laptop

There are two options here - unscrew the laptop, remove the cover and look at the sticker on the RAM for its type - it will indicate both the frequency at which it operates and the type. The second option is simpler - software, just download free utility called CPU-Z. You decide. If you want to expand the capacity of the RAM, you will still have to unscrew the cover and remove the memory from there. let's consider software method:

Determining the number of RAM slots on a laptop

Now we need to determine the number of slots in the laptop. Because how to expand the amount of RAM if you only have one slot? In this case, we will just have to install a bar with a large amount of memory instead of the one standing in this moment. To determine the number of slots, you need:

The most interesting thing remains - to set the second bar. According to technical characteristics this laptop Supports up to 6 gigabytes of RAM. In other words, we can set the bar to another two gigabytes and the laptop will work more quickly.

How to install RAM on a laptop

Depending on the manufacturer and specific model In a laptop, the amount of RAM increases in different ways, or rather, in some places it’s harder to get to the memory slots, and in others it’s easier.

For example, with regard to ASUS laptops, you will need to completely remove back cover, and then the keyboard, after which you can insert the bar next to the first one.

On some older laptops everything is much simpler; there is a separate section where the RAM is:


As you can see, with good instructions you can easily cope with this non-trivial task, like increasing the amount of RAM on a laptop.

Unlike desktop computers Laptops are practically impossible to upgrade. While in a PC you can go through and replace almost everything, in laptops you can only change it painlessly HDD and random access memory (other names: RAM, RAM, RAM). To do this you need to disable Charger, remove the battery (if possible) and unscrew the cover on the bottom. You will have access to a hard drive and RAM, which can be replaced. In older laptops from the early 2000s, this process may be more complex due to the design, but since there are very few such devices in use today, we will not focus on them.

Two 4GB DDR3 RAM modules

As a rule, RAM rarely fails, so it is changed in order to increase the capacity and, accordingly, the speed of the laptop. There are several nuances to consider here.

  • 32-bit operating systems Windows systems do not support more than 4 GB of RAM. If you need more than 4 GB of RAM, you will need to install 64-bit Windows (you may already have it installed - open My computer and clicking right click mouse over an empty area, select Properties).
  • It is necessary to familiarize yourself with technical characteristics laptop or motherboard. This will allow you to find out the maximum supported amount of RAM, the number of slots for memory modules, and the type of RAM modules – DDR1, DDR2, DDR3.
  • To find out the number of memory modules already in use, you can use CPU-Z program(download, run and look at the drop-down list in the SPD tab), or you need to unscrew the bottom cover and see live the number of slots and the amount of RAM used.
  • As a rule, laptops have two slots for RAM, so if you have, for example, two 2 GB RAM modules installed, and you want 8 GB, then you will have to throw out the current memory modules, and in their place insert two 4 GB each or one 8 GB. You should also keep in mind such a factor as the RAM soldered into the motherboard. This is typical for ultrabooks and MacBooks. Moreover, there are options here too - the entire stick will be sealed without the possibility of increasing the volume, or one free slot will be available for your RAM stick.

How to replace RAM in a laptop

Warning! If you recently purchased a laptop from a store and it is still under warranty, then opening the cover on the bottom and replacing the RAM may void the warranty. To maintain the warranty, you will have to contact authorized service centers.


Based on what was written above, we conclude that to replace RAM in a laptop, you need to find out the characteristics of the motherboard, unscrew the bottom cover and see what is already installed in the laptop and what can be improved. Then we buy RAM modules suitable type, turn off the power, remove the battery and change the RAM modules themselves.

To remove the installed strips from the slots, you need to unclip the latches on the sides and calmly remove them, holding the strips on the sides, without touching the gold-plated contacts inserted into the slot. Inserting new strips into the slot should also be easy; when the latches snap into place, stop pressing and just check that the strips are level.

After replacing the modules, we put everything back together and turn on the laptop. To make sure everything is fine, run it again CPU-Z utility, or open My computer, right-click on the free area and select Properties. In the window that opens, in the section System opposite the point Installed memory(RAM) look at the available memory.


IN self-replacement There is nothing complicated about the laptop components, but if you are still not confident in your abilities, you can watch the following video from the company, which shows how basic everything is.

Laptops are rarely upgraded, and you can change a fairly limited number of components - RAM, hard drive, sometimes - wireless module. The rest can be replaced in case of breakdown only with a similar one.

Let's take a closer look at RAM. Most often, after a couple of years of working with a laptop, you are no longer satisfied with its performance, and you decide to increase the amount of RAM. Check your laptop's documentation to find out the maximum amount of memory it supports. In addition, it would be useful to find out how many slots for it your computer has inside. Most often there are two of them, in netbooks and ultrabooks there is one, in large productive laptops there are three or four.

Naturally, it makes sense to set the maximum volume right away. If you have two memory slots in your laptop, and there are 2 2 GB sticks, and the maximum support is 8 GB, then it makes sense to remove the existing sticks and install 2 4 GB sticks. Next, you should find out what memory format is installed inside the laptop. The generally accepted laptop form factor is SODIMM. The format can be either DDR2 (in older laptops and netbooks) or DDR3. Do you doubt your actions? You have a direct route to service center- for example, in laptop repair Kyiv. If everything is clear, read on.

You should buy planks from the same manufacturer and preferably from the same container. The memory frequency must also be the same and within the range that your laptop supports (this can also be found in the technical documentation).

By the way, a good option is to install the same slats that you already have installed, but of a larger volume. You can find out what you have by using Everest programs or CPU-Z. Sometimes it is necessary to set in BIOS required timings (if the memory does not want to be determined) - again, you will find out required parameters through Everest and install them manually.

In principle, there is nothing difficult in replacing RAM in a laptop if you have changed something in the desktop computer. If you are new to this, then it is best, of course. entrust this process to professionals.

If you need to increase productivity, then the simplest and cheapest option is to add laptop RAM, or in case of module malfunction. Typically, the memory module is installed inside a compartment that is located at the bottom of the laptop case. Some models have RAM installed under the keyboard. If the laptop has two slots for installing RAM, then add a new RAM stick to the slot, which is located at the bottom of the case.

Safety precautions when disassembling a laptop

In order not to damage the new RAM module, under no circumstances do not touch the connectors golden color, with which the board is inserted into the slot.

Before installing RAM, be sure to the laptop was turned off, and was not in sleep mode. For this it is necessary disconnect the power supply And take out the battery from the laptop battery compartment.

Do not touch the memory stick, without first removing the static electricity charge from your body. To do this, touch a grounded object or any metal surface with one hand.

While adding RAM, the laptop itself must lie on a flat, stable surface!

Installing RAM in an Asus laptop

Turn the laptop over and release the RAM module compartment from the protective cover by unscrewing the cover mounting screws with a screwdriver.

Further remove the old RAM from the slot, pressing the mounting clips sequentially from each edge away from the memory module. New module The RAM is taken out of a special antistatic bag, holding it by its outer parts, and using the golden contacts installed in the memory slot connector, pressing firmly but lightly until it stops.

The fastening clamps should slam shut with a characteristic click. After installing a memory module, produce laptop case assembly reverse order regarding disassembly.

Turn on the laptop and wait until it finishes software settings configurations with increased memory capacity and increased productivity. Try to test the RAM after installing it, for example, by loading a game or other resource-intensive application.

In case, you should remove it and contact a specialist. You can try to independently check the memory performance of the system with an old RAM module. If the laptop works with an old RAM module, then most likely the reason is that the RAM is incompatible with the laptop model or with an older one. set bar memory.

Here we consider only the more common cases of memory layout in modern laptops. If the location is unconventional, you should either use the laptop disassembly diagram or contact a specialist.

RAM (Random Access Memory ) - part of the system computer memory, in which data and commands are temporarily stored, quick access to which is needed during program operation.

Random Access Memory, RAM - technical device, which implements the functions of the RAM.

Source of material Internet site Wikipedia - Operative.

To figure out which RAM is suitable for specific laptop, you need to slow down on the following properties:

1) RAM class. Used in laptops dynamic RAM ( DRAM ) subsequent types of DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM and DDR3 SDRAM, with design in the form of modules RIMM, on models released at the beginning of the century, or at the end of the previous one, other options are likely, but they are not so widespread that we need to dwell on them.

Find out what class of RAM is used on the a certain model It is possible using the following methods:

  • with help specialized programs, like Everest;
  • by looking at the specification for the laptop;
  • directly according to the markings on the memory itself installed in the laptop.
  • More information about types of RAM: Wikipedia - DRAM.

    2) Operating frequency. One of the main characteristics of the operating system responsible for its performance. In principle, having decided on the type of RAM, choosing the frequency of problems will not be difficult, you just need to keep in mind:

  • If the frequencies of memory modules installed in two RAM slots do not match, they will not work in paired mode.
  • In this case, the operating frequency exceeds that used by a given motherboard, the RAM frequency will be lowered to that used in this particular case. To prevent this from happening, you should read the description of the motherboard in advance.
  • Other properties cannot affect the change of OP.

    Removing RAM

    First, the laptop needs to be de-energized (unplug from the power supply and remove the battery). Most often, it is not necessary to remove the entire laptop case. The RAM is usually located under a cover on the bottom of the laptop. The lid can be either a relatively small square (approximately 7x7 cm) or some kind of curly one. Next to it there should be a sketch in the form of a schematic image of a transistor. With other, unusual options for the location of the RAM, access to it is difficult and it is better to contact a specialist so as not to destroy the laptop when completely disassembling it.

    The cover is secured with screws (from 1 to 5). Under it there are slots (connectors) for RAM modules. In most cases there are two slots. When assembling, modern manufacturers most often occupy only one connector, leaving the second one free for possible expansion of the OP. Slots can either be placed on top of each other, or look in different directions while being on the same level.

    The RAM module is secured at the edges with 2 latches; to remove it, just bend them slightly to the sides. The latches should be bent within the limits of free spring travel. They should be bent to its size; there is no need to deform the fastenings.

    When both fasteners are bent, the memory module rises slightly; now you can simply remove it to the side opposite the connector.

    Installing RAM

    Insert the RAM module into the connector until it stops at an angle of about 30 degrees to system board laptop. Then press on the top edge of the module so that the connector fasteners snap into place. When installing OP modules, there is no need to move the fasteners apart; they will move apart and snap into place independently. After installing the memory, you need to snap the cover, screw it in and connect the battery.

    Additionally in the site database:

  • How to change the hard drive on a laptop?