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According to enter link description here, getting the right RAM for your laptop is very difficult.

I tried following this, but found I couldn't get some of the necessary information. So I looked around, and found claims that this is actually much simpler.

For example, article on laptop RAM, all you actually need to know if form factor, type of RAM (DDR/DDR2/DDR3/DDR4), and clock speed. I also found an answer here on superuser which makes the same claim.

I understand that some mismatches can cause, for example, an inability to use ALL of the RAM (obviously if the motherboard only supports 4GB per card, it won't be able to use all the 8GB on the RAM I have).

But what exactly is essential? Assuming my RAM is properly made, do I really need any more parameters than the form factor (SODIMM for laptops), frequency and RAM type?

(I also read something about non-ECC unbuffered being the most common, so that's one more simple parameter)

Edit: To clarify, I'm familiar with the Crucial tool. What I'd like to know is what exactly is the basis for the claim that the RAMs match the laptop. Is it just form factor, speed, RAM type and the max number of GB each slot in the motherboard can handle, or does one have to consider more factors, assuming the RAM chip is up to standard?

user1999728
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    Go to [Crucial US | DRAM, Solid State Drive (SSD) & Memory Upgrades](http://www.crucial.com/) - it will tell you exactly what kind of memory to get. – DavidPostill Apr 08 '18 at 14:46
  • @DavidPostill I've come across this multiple times, but now that I have suggestions, the question is- are the details in the page of the suggested memories ALL that I need to know? e.x. I have: Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64. It also says SODIMM under form factor. If I have RAM with the same characteristics as those, is that enough to know it will work? – user1999728 Apr 08 '18 at 15:04
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    I believe so ... – DavidPostill Apr 08 '18 at 15:06
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    Kingston and Crucial guarantee compatibility, that is all you need to know. – Moab Apr 08 '18 at 15:13
  • @Moab but I don't want to buy from them. I have RAM. I'm not made of money, I don't want to buy a new one... I want to make sure mine is compatible, and it's not one of theirs. – user1999728 Apr 08 '18 at 15:16
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    As long as it is the same specs, put it in the laptop and test it... It will either work or not work. – acejavelin Apr 08 '18 at 15:18
  • @acejavelin I haven't bought the laptop yet... this is why I'm asking. I'd like to know what I need to look out for when buying a refurbished one. – user1999728 Apr 08 '18 at 15:59
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    You also need to know if it's registered, the maximum amount of memory the system can take and the acceptable pairing(not normally an issue on laptops) – davidgo Apr 08 '18 at 19:56
  • @davidgo right! the buffered-unbuffered thing. And what's "acceptable pairing"? just to make sure. Now I have parameters which I always see for the memory modules and I can get all the data I need to ensure compatibility. – user1999728 Apr 08 '18 at 20:02
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    Sometimes you have to configure ram in pairs, or in certain slots. This is generally only an issue on desktops and server which have more slots, but check on the crucial site - it has a diagram with pairings and slots for each system. – davidgo Apr 08 '18 at 20:05
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    It's also very unlikely, but a manufacturer can lock the BIOS to only support certain makes)models if RAM. – davidgo Apr 08 '18 at 20:07
  • @davidgo Thank you! I'll make sure whatever I buy isn't locked/supports what I have. – user1999728 Apr 08 '18 at 20:25

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