Choosing RAM modules

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mrhoracemann

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Nov 16, 2012
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I have a Acer Aspire T
The data sheet for it is
https://www.acer.com/datasheets/2014/4871/TC-120/DT.SV8AA.005.html
It has 4 memory slots and 3 of them are filled with
4GB 1Rx8 PC3L-12800U-11-13-A1

I have a few questions about filling the 4th slot.
1) do I have to match what is already there exactly? Can I add an 8g stick. Or do I need to match the sticks in pairs?
What about the rest of the numbers.
1Rx8 PC3 12800U
Do I need to match the 12800U.
I saw a 12800R. What is the U an R?
How about the 11-13?
I saw a few 11-12s what is the 12 vs the 13?
 
Solution
Blas
1) Not necesarily, but it is recommended that you match what you already have. Memory sticks can work in pairs for additional speed, or they can work as single sticks, which is slower. If you have an even number of sticks, they will try to work in pairs, and if they are mismatched, that might lead to problems (system instability and such). You could add an 8 GB stick, yes, but it's unlikely that you will need it: you already have 12 GB, which is a fair amount; 4 GB more brings you to 16 GB, which is supposed to be the current sweetspot, although you really need to stress your PC to get the used memory close to that. I would recommend another stick of 4 GB with the exact same specs as the others.

2)"1Rx8": one row of 8 chips: some...
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Blas

Blas

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1) Not necesarily, but it is recommended that you match what you already have. Memory sticks can work in pairs for additional speed, or they can work as single sticks, which is slower. If you have an even number of sticks, they will try to work in pairs, and if they are mismatched, that might lead to problems (system instability and such). You could add an 8 GB stick, yes, but it's unlikely that you will need it: you already have 12 GB, which is a fair amount; 4 GB more brings you to 16 GB, which is supposed to be the current sweetspot, although you really need to stress your PC to get the used memory close to that. I would recommend another stick of 4 GB with the exact same specs as the others.

2)"1Rx8": one row of 8 chips: some memory sticks have chips on just one side of the circuit board, others on both sides. Some have more chips, some less.

3) The "U" stands for "unbuffered", or non-registered: it means it's not a server-grade memory, it lacks some features that are needed for servers (but nothing to worry about for a laptop)

4) "11-13": those are timings: in the memory sticks, operations are done, like reading this memory, writting that one, etc. Each operation requires some time, and those timings are indicated by those numbers. The lower the numbers, the better, as it means it takes less time to perform a given operation.

More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM

And that should cover it, hope it helps! :)
 
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