topic Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported in Mobile and Desktop Processors

I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:26:30 GMT

I hope I can get the answer to my question this forum. I see many vendors (HP/IBM) advertising that their laptops using the I7 Mobility processors such as the I7-720QM can support up to 16GB of RAM!??!

However Intel specs here indicates otherwise: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122&processor=i7-720QM&spec-codes=SLBLY http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122&processor=i7-720QM&spec-codes=SLBLY

Who is right, the laptop vendors or Intel ?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:35:33 GMT

If I were to answer your question: I'll believe in Intel. Who makes the processor? Intel or the vendor?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:22:44 GMT

That was my thinking too, but Intel's specs also says: (dependent on memory type)!

However, page 10 of HP's EliteBook 8740w laptop Service Manual http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02114152/c02114152.pdf http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c02114152/c02114152.pdf clearly states:

IBM Lenovo ThinkPad W701 4323 laptop offers a 16GB RAM selection with their online ordering:Heri

So is why would HP and IBM sell 16GB of RAM with their laptops if it is not supported by the Intel processor?

Can Intel confirm that Max RAM limit for the I7-720QM is indeed 8GB and not 16GB and let the hardware vendors know about this so they can correct their manuals and ordering systems?

Message was edited by: gmarcil

Here is the link to Lenovo's ThinkPad w510 technical specifications which also clearly states support for 16gb of memory!

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/pdf/notebooks/ThinkPad/W-Series/W510_datasheet.pdf http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/content/pdf/notebooks/ThinkPad/W-Series/W510_datasheet.pdf

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:02:54 GMT

I can only speculate that the 16 GB maximum rating pertain to the motherboard use in their computers. That is, their motherboard can accomodate 16 GB but this should be match with a processor that can handle that much of memory. Why not chat with their tech support for clarification?

Added: If you click this http://ark.intel.com/Default.aspx link and make some comparison you will find that the I7 mobile processors have a max rating of 8 GB while the desktop I7 processors have a max rating of 24 GB.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

Adolfo_S_Intel2 — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:48:39 GMT

The 8 GB reported on the ARK website, indicates that the processor supports only a maximum of 8 GB:

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122

So, even if the laptop supports 16 GB, the processor will only be able to recognize 8 GB.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:11:49 GMT

Don't you think it is a sad situation when one can no longer rely on technical specifications published/advertised by 'high tech' companies?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

Adolfo_S_Intel2 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:10:42 GMT

Unfortunately, Intel cannot control the advertisements provided by third party companies. In these situations my best recommendation would be to check with the device manufacturer, like in this case with the processor manufacturer, so we can confirm to the customer the limitations of the processor before buying any computer system.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:30:03 GMT

I discovered that many customers have 16GB Lenovo laptops with useable memory given right BIOS.

See: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W510-Bios-1-20-BUG-64bit-system-only/td-p/237959/page/2 http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W510-Bios-1-20-BUG-64bit-system-only/td-p/237959/page/2

So Intel Web should udpdate its specs! ;^)

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:25:39 GMT

The mystery is solved! I received a different answer from Intel pre-sales support which says the I7 Mobile processor may support 16GB...

Here it is:

______________________________

Thank you for your recent email. I understand you are interested in the I7-720QM memory support. Please use the following link to review the details of the I7-720QM.

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122&code=I7-720QM http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122&code=I7-720QM

At the bottom of the page you will notice that there is an Intel boxed version and an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) version of the i7-720QM.

Please contact the manufacturer of your computer for information. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) may use their own specification of power supply, chassis, motherboard, and/or cooling system. For this reason we are unable to provide information on the OEM version. The manufacturer of your system may be able to provide you with this information. The OEM may also be able to provide you with purchase information on compatible products.

______________________________

Hope this helps!

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:16:48 GMT

So what is the max ram for the box and the oem processors?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:56:09 GMT

The maximum RAM with Lenovo ThinkPad series and HP EliteBook series is 16GB as advertised on the vendor's respective Web site.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:56:52 GMT

How much ram is supported by the Intel boxed processor and how much for the Intel Oem processor? I can't find the specs for these processors in the Intel website.

Additional questions: Are these processors (boxed and Oem) custom built by Intel for the different vendors? How are they different from the official one?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:35:24 GMT

You need to talk to Intel pre-sales support to get the details...

You will find the info here: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122 http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43122 Intel boxed processor is 8gb maximum.

At the bottom of the web page under "Ordering and Sampling Information", you find 2 ordering code/part-number. One is boxed Intel and the other is OEM processor. According to Intel, you have to get the details specs for the OEM processor from the laptop vendor. This is pretty much all I know.

Here is the link to Intel's Product Order Code Number (Boxed vs OEM code): http://www.intel.com/support/processors/mobile/corei7/sb/CS-030872.htm http://www.intel.com/support/processors/mobile/corei7/sb/CS-030872.htm

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:04:34 GMT

If I am to replace the vendor processors of the indicated laptops with one from Intel will it work?

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:29:01 GMT

My guess would be to use the vendor's OEM processor to ensure compatibility. But what do I know .

I am still not convinced that Intel would manufacturer 2 different version of a processor - Boxed and OEM.

I am hoping that some Intel Support person will jump in this thread and confirm the above statements!

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:08:13 GMT

The reason why I'm asking the question is that I'm not convinced that there are two set of processors (Boxed and OEM or unboxed) made by Intel. And I don't agree that questions pertaining to the OEM processor be made to the vendors. What I have gathered from other forums is that the boxed processor includes the fan plus some period of warranty while the unboxed or OEM does not include the fan and possibly a different warranty period. In the boxed and unboxed processor product both processor are of the same model and of the same type. In the link that you provide for the order codes, if you click the I7-720 QM processor for each order code you will discover that they have the same ratings. Specifically, both are rated to support up to a maximum of 8 gb of ram.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

Adolfo_S_Intel2 — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:09:27 GMT

Currently both processors (retail and OEM) have the same features, unless the laptop manufactures limits any feature at a BIOS and chipset level.

Regarding the fact that our processor supports up to 8 GB or RAM, keep in mind that the laptop manufacturer can make a motherboard supporting 16 GB, but that does not mean that the processor will support 16 GB as well, those are two different components.

I would recommend contacting the laptop manufacturer for information on the motherboard itself features.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:26:26 GMT

That is exactly what I have stated earlier. If the owner wants that his 16 GB ram-filled motherboard will be fully utilized by the processor then it must be a processor capable of handling 16 GB not 8 GB. This does not mean that the computer will not operate with the 8 GB capable processor installed. And that there is only one model of processor made but two package product (boxed and unboxed).

I have also suggested earlier to contact the motherboard manufacturer's tech support for clarification.

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:53:39 GMT

Well according to DON820 from the Lenovo forum, it seems there are people that could disagree with you on this one!

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W510-Bios-1-20-BUG-64bit-system-only/td-p/237959/page/2 http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/W510-Bios-1-20-BUG-64bit-system-only/td-p/237959/page/2

Re: I7 Mobile processor - Maximum RAM supported

idata — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:21:40 GMT

Oops! My mistake. I'm erasing the statements.