Is this RAM okay for my laptop?

dejavu619

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Jul 29, 2014
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I have this laptop: http://www.flipkart.com/acer-gateway-ne56r-laptop-2nd-gen-pdc-2gb-500gb-linux-nx-y1usi-010/p/itmdcgfsgntuaq3c?pid=COMDDSY6BGCMM8HZ&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=gateway+ne56r&ref=21461c91-81eb-49cc-a085-08e1567fc7cc

And as you can see in the specs, it has 2 GB RAM. I'd like to upgrade it to 4 GB RAM.

So I'm thinking of buying this 2GB RAM stick:http://www.flipkart.com/transcend-jetram-ddr3-2-gb-laptop-ram-jm1333ksn-2g/p/itmd57ukafxjxcwq?pid=RAMD57UJRBNJDBRH&otracker=from-search&srno=t_2&query=ddr3+ram&ref=9dd302f8-056b-4bc7-ac94-11265d89e24f

Could you confirm that the above stick is compatible with my laptop?

And will I be able to run games such as Star Wars: The Old Republic? What other games will I be able to run? I tried using the www.systemrequirementslab.com website but that doesn't detect my specs too well. Is the buying the RAM worth it?
 
Solution
Integrated graphics benefit mainly from high bandwidth RAM, but your CPU only supports up to 1333MHz. That's extremely low speed even for the most powerful iGPU (the R7 in the AMD A10-7850K), so it's impossible get benefits from there. The amount of RAM and Dual-channel also play some roles, but mainly is the bandwidth.

The problem is that for games you need a GPU (obviously), but yours is in the CPU. The only way to upgrade it is to change your CPU for other one with a more powerful iGPU.

Changing the CPU in a laptop is not too complicated, but it has some issues sometimes.

1st check if your CPU is socketed or is embedded, if it's embedded you're done. It would be a waste of money if you try to upgrade it

2nd, if it's socketed...

dejavu619

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Jul 29, 2014
29
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4,580
It's really alright if the games run at low settings. I don't want to run the games at high settings. I don't see how the Sandy Bridge might cause a problem? It has the required pixel shader and vertex shader versions required to run some games. I ran a couple of tests on www.systemrequirementslab.com and they all told me that the only things my laptop lag in are

1. RAM
2. Dedicated Video RAM

So, upgrading my RAM from 2 GB to 4 GB should solve both my problems, shouldn't it? Here's a pic of the results it showed for Far Cry 3: http://s24.postimg.org/vuqd9g9dx/Untitled1.png

So running games on basic/low settings shouldn't be a problem right?
 

Bolin

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Sep 8, 2014
312
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5,010


I think you are missing the point:
"t's really alright if the games run at low settings"
Depending on how graphics intensive the game is, it won't run at a playable rate of frames per second (and some times not even run at all), Integrated GPUs aren't really good for gaming and older integrated GPUs... well, the older the worse.

"It has the required pixel shader and vertex shader versions required to run some games"
Let's put it this way:
There's a bridge. The bridge can hold up to 200kgs. You (60kg) cross the bridge, nothing happens. Your friend (80kg) crosses the bridge too. Some random guy pops up (100kg) and crosses the bridge. Casually, the three of you want to go back at the same time, as everyone is under 200kg everyone tries to cross at the same time, but the bridge breaks down and falls appart. Why? Well, the bridge supports people and their weight (mass times gravity). 60kg are okay, 140kg are too and so are 160kg, however, 240kg can't be supported by the bridge (in the earth, obviously) and so it breaks down. Your GPU won't break down but there'll be a bottleneck, I should've used cars as an example. Anyway, the GPU can support anything, but how well does it support the supported feature?

"1. RAM
2. Dedicated Video RAM"
You're lucky this applies here (being an integrated GPU) and it'll definitely help, but don't expect much.

"So, upgrading my RAM from 2 GB to 4 GB should solve both my problems, shouldn't it? Here's a pic of the results it showed for Far Cry 3: http://s24.postimg.org/vuqd9g9dx/Untitled1.png"
Benchmarks /=/ real life perfomance
Have you ever wondered why some exercises you are explained in <insert any science here> don't work when you actually try them in real life? because you're not perfect and you are probably missing a lot of factors.

 

dejavu619

Estimable
Jul 29, 2014
29
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4,580
I understand. Well in that case could you suggest some economical upgrades I could make? I just want to be able to play games at low to medium settings. Thank you for your reply.
 

Bolin

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Sep 8, 2014
312
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5,010



You're welcome

Well, there isn't really a lot you could do besides adding more system memory
 

Brunostako

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Dec 16, 2013
136
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18,710
Integrated graphics benefit mainly from high bandwidth RAM, but your CPU only supports up to 1333MHz. That's extremely low speed even for the most powerful iGPU (the R7 in the AMD A10-7850K), so it's impossible get benefits from there. The amount of RAM and Dual-channel also play some roles, but mainly is the bandwidth.

The problem is that for games you need a GPU (obviously), but yours is in the CPU. The only way to upgrade it is to change your CPU for other one with a more powerful iGPU.

Changing the CPU in a laptop is not too complicated, but it has some issues sometimes.

1st check if your CPU is socketed or is embedded, if it's embedded you're done. It would be a waste of money if you try to upgrade it

2nd, if it's socketed CPU, you need to find another with the same socket and the same TDP. Sometimes you need to do a BIOS upgrade, but even there it's not guarantied to work.

In your case, the Pentium B960 is socketed, so you can upgrade it.

An Ivy Bridge CPU with the HD Graphics 4000 and 2x4GB 1600MHz RAM would be the best upgrade you can do. Personally, i don't think is a worthy upgrade.
For the type of gaming you want, AMD APUs are somehow better because the iGPU are significantly stronger than Intel's ones.
 
Solution

dejavu619

Estimable
Jul 29, 2014
29
0
4,580


You've answered my question, but for the purpose of knowledge, how'd you come to know that an Ivy bridge CPU with intel HD 4000 is a possible upgrade? I couldn't even find info on my motherboard. Also, how'd you fine out if the B960 is embedded or socketed?
 

dejavu619

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Jul 29, 2014
29
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4,580
Okay here's how I proceeded:

1. Googled the chipset my motherboard uses, ie. intel hm70 express
2. Read in its documentation that it supports Pentium and Celeron branded CPUs from Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge.
3. Went through the list of CPUs mentioned in step 2.
4. Found that there are no Pentium/Celeron branded ivy bridge or sandy bridge processors that have intel hd graphics 4000

Is my finding wrong? Please confirm
 

Brunostako

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Dec 16, 2013
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Sandy Bridge (2nd gen) and Ivy Brdge (3rd gen) CPUs use the same socket, so is up to your motherboard to recognize them correctly. This is why you may need the BIOS update.

The Pentium B960, if you go to Intel's Ark, scroll down until you find "Package Specifications", there you'll see "Sockets Supported". It supports FCPGA988 socket (PGA is for socketed, BGA is for embedded). Also, this CPU has a TDP of 35W.

Lets say you want to replace the B960 with a Core i3-3110M (2-cores/4-threads, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 35W TDP), which is a 3rd gen socketed notebook CPU. At Intel's Ark you will see that it supports FCPGA988. As you can see both CPUs support FCPGA988, that means you can install them in the same socket.

If the chipset in your motherboard is a HM70 series (which it is), there's a high chance you can do an easy CPU upgrade.
 

dejavu619

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Jul 29, 2014
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How did you know that my laptop socket is FCGPA988?

And even though the socket does support i3 processors, the chipset (HM70) wouldn't permit it right? Intel's website says that it only supports Pentium and Celeron branded processors.
 

Brunostako

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Dec 16, 2013
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Isn't your CPU a Pentium B960? I checked its specs at Intel's Ark webpage.

About the chipset thing, i don't know. The 70 series chipsets (desktop and mobile) are designed for 3rd gen Core i, but i don't know if they really restricts what CPUs can used. That's why i told you that even with the same socket is not guarantied to work. From what i've read, there's a high chance to work, but it's not for sure.
 

Brunostako

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Dec 16, 2013
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If you really really want some gaming in a laptop, get a proper one.

You don't need to go to the high end with dual GTX 970m and Core i7, but a good AMD A8 or A10, or one with a discrete GPU will be enough.