User:Jmv2009/Large memory laptop

Laptops with a lot of memory can be used for portable computing, gaming, and for servers, with a built in UPS. Systems with large amount of memory have better and more consistent performance in gaming, multitasking, task switching and when working with large, randomly accessed datasets. This happens because there is no need for paging, and improved read and write caching. Laptops with large amount of memory are uncommon and expensive. There are two reasons for this. First, large memory sticks are more expensive per Gigabyte. Secondly, the incorporation of two, three or four memory slots requires more components, more space, and more attention to system layout. Furthermore, not all mobile processors work with four memory slots. Not all systems allow memory upgrades.

Some netbooks only have a single memory slots, while most laptops have two slots. The following current and recently available laptops support three memory slots, but only the versions with a four core intel processor. Notably absent are the brands Apple, Toshiba, Fujitsu-Siemens and Sony.

Core 2 Duo

Dell Precision M6400: 4x4GB (DDR2, out of production)

Mobile Core i7

The on-chip memory controller of the mobile Core i7 does not formally support more than 2x4GB of memory. Nevertheless, many systems use larger configuration, supported by the system manufacturer.

HP Envy 15 4x4GB (out of production)

HP EliteBook 8540p, 8440w: 4x4GB

HP EliteBook 8740w, 8540w: 4x8GB

Dell Precision M6500: 4x8GB

Dell XPS 17: 4x4GB

Asus ROG G51, G73, G53: 4x4GB

ASUS N53JQ: 4x4GB

ASUS NX90Jn, NX90Jq, N73Jq: 3x4GB

Lenovo Thinkpad W510, W701: 4x4GB

Acer Aspire 8943G, 5745DG: 4x4GB

MSI GT660, GX660, GT663: 3x4GB

Desktop Core i7 processor in mobile form factor

Clevo D900F/Panther : 3x8GB

Clevo X7200/NP7280/Panther 2.0: 3x8GB

Mobile Core i7 (2nd generation, Sandy Bridge)

The on-chip memory controller of the second generation of mobile Core i7 does not formally support more than 2x8GB of memory. Nevertheless, many systems use larger configuration, supported by the system manufacturer.

Dell Precision M6600: 4x8GB

MSI GT680, GX680: 4x4GB

ASUS ROG G73SW, G53SW: 4x4GB

ASUS VX7: 4x4GB

Clevo P170HM, P150HM, P151HM: 4x4GB

Dell/Alienware M17x R3: 4x8GB

ACER Aspire 8950G: 16 GB

8GB Memory modules

Note that laptops should be able to take appropriate 8GB DDR3 sodimms, enabling the possiblity of using 32 GB of memory in four sodimm systems. These also allow 16GB of memory in regular 2 sodimm systems. Available modules are only from Samsung, parts numbers M471B1G73AH0 and M471B1G73BH0. These are very expensive, ranging from $800  to $2200   each. Only [www.buysamsungparts.com] sells them directly.

Processor Support

Virtually all manufacturers consistently require a quad core processor for usage of more than two sodimm modules for mobile Core i5/i7 systems. Some laptops for mobile core i7 can run on four sodimm slots with a dual core processor as well in certain configurations. However, the same laptop failed with 32 GB when dual core processor was used, and it was speculated the dual core processors are limited to 16 GB. The ASUS NX90Jn is advertised as a Dual core Core i5 laptop with three sodimm slots, with support of up to 12 GB of memory.

Switchable graphics

The first generation of quad core i7 did not have integrated graphics in the cpu. Therefore, none of these laptops had switchable graphics. With Sandy Bridge, all intel laptops will have integrated graphics. To actually be able to use this, the graphics output devices need to be connected to the cpu, which is only the case in a subset of high end laptops.

The first of these laptops with switchable Optimus graphics is the Alienware M17x R3, except for the 3D version. This can significantly improve on battery performance. The performance under optimus seems to be maintained with 16000-18000 3dmark06 points on a nvidia gtx 460m card. In the other laptops, the graphics output ports are connected to the dedicated graphics card.