What really is the command to know the maximum RAM capacity?

[Member kaye]

Hello Friends

I’m confused. The following are two commands that I used to see my laptop’s maximum RAM capacity. Notice both of them say 16gb capacity.

$ sudo inxi -m
[sudo] password for kaye: 
Memory:
  RAM: total: 1.88 GiB used: 1010.3 MiB (52.4%) 
  Array-1: capacity: 16 GiB slots: 4 EC: None 
  Device-1: M1 size: 2 GiB speed: 667 MHz 
  Device-2: M2 size: No Module Installed 
  Device-3: M3 size: No Module Installed 
  Device-4: M4 size: No Module Installed

$ sudo dmidecode -t 16
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.6 present.

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
	Location: System Board Or Motherboard
	Use: System Memory
	Error Correction Type: None
	Maximum Capacity: 16 GB
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Number Of Devices: 4

However, in this web page: https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-ram-upgrades/samsung/laptop-notebook/np-r439
it says my Maximum memory is 8GB.

I need to know the maximum amount of RAM that I can install in my laptop. Please help.

Many thanks!

[Forum Admin anticapitalista]

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never mind – misunderstood your question.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 10 months ago by anticapitalista.

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.

antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.

[Anonymous]

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RAM: total: 1.88 GiB used: 1010.3 MiB (52.4%)
Array-1: capacity: 16 GiB slots: 4 EC: None
Device-1: M1 size: 2 GiB speed: 667 MHz

It tells you pretty clear … even twice.

First “RAM: total: 1.88 GiB” and then, “Device-1: M1 size: 2 GiB speed: 667 MHz”.

Easier to see is, if you use commands ‘top’ or ‘htop’. (See screenshot)

“Array-1: capacity: 16 GiB slots: 4 EC: None” … tells you that …

You have 4 slots availabale / Max. 16 GB RAM possible.

[Anonymous]

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kaye, the mfg specs page (total memory slots: 2) may be mismatched with your EXACT model.
I would pop the access cover and verify whether or not 4 physical slots exist.

According the command outputs you’ve pasted here, the machine has 4 slots and, currently, one slot is populated with a 2GB SODIMM.

If 4 slots are available, and mfg states that each slot will accept a (your choice) 2GB or 4GB SODIMM,
4slots * 4GB = 16GB max

[Member fatmac]

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You have 4 slots, with a maximum of 16GB capacity, therefore, each slot may be filled with a 4GB ram module, you have one slot filled with a 2GB module.
Usually the slots are in pairs, which means that the same size modules need to be in the paired slots, but not always.
Depending on what ram modules you can get hold of, you may be able to fit odd sized modules, I am able to do so on my laptop.
I think your best bet is to get one or two 2GB modules or a 4G modules, depending on how much ram you are hoping to achieve.

P.S. You might find going pre used a lot cheaper than buying new, especially the 2G modules. 😉

Linux (& BSD) since 1999

[Anonymous]

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Just for the clarification: There’s no Tool that can tell you 100% for sure, what’s exactly inside your Laptop.

All those tools rely on two things — the actual components built in and the info saved in HW.
Sometimes, third component comes in play too — HW data bank.
Info saved in HW ‘lies’.

Example: (fictional) myGorgeousMB MGMB-12xgh04ztd

Tool will tell you:
– Max. 16 GB RAM
– 4 RAM Slots

Experience tells us, that what we get is:
– Max. 8 ~ 32 GB RAM
– 1 ~ 4 RAM Slots

Almost every Laptop, one can buy/get/order in many different HW configurations.
*HP EliteBook 8570w LY550EA-ABD != HP EliteBook 8570w B9D05AW-ABD.

Manufacturers often use one MB in multiple devices (Sub revision Nr.), in different configurations.
The max. amount of RAM is also relative: at the time of release, biggest RAM module was 4GB.
1/2 a year later, 8GB modules become available but, nobody bothered to correct the info.

Most Consumer Laptops come with 2 RAM slots.
High-Quality Laptops sometimes come with 4 RAM slots.
‘Junkware’ comes ‘cut-off’ — with 1 module soldered or removed or …

In your case, there are very probably only two existing, physical RAM slots available.
The other two that the tools are showing a very probably not soldered to the MB.
So, yes, technically you really get 4 slots (as that’s provided by MB specs).
Practically, the manufacturer probably did not solder them to the MB.

As of your Samsung piece …
https://www.samsung.com/ph/support/model/NP-R439-DU05PH/
https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/model/NP-R439-DA02JO/
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201110/20111011152910227/Dos_Manual_eng.pdf

Check your model first to find out if it’s the same model!

*
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Update-HP-EliteBook-8570w-LY550EA-ABD-Notebook.94852.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-EliteBook-8570w-Notebook.83982.0.html
https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-EliteBook-8570w-B9D05AW-ABD.86549.0.html

[Member ile]

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hello kaye
might try go to the ark.intel site page for the processor present in the machine to check for maximum ram for the cpu. In checking five different processors found to be available on the samsung model np-r439 they were limited to maximum 8G except for a second generation i3 maximum at 16G.

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