Is adding RAM to laptop pretty straightforward?

Delly10 said:

I have a Dell Inspiron 15-5558 with 6GB of RAM which is DDR3. I found in a container of computer parts I have a RAM stick that is 2GB and is also DDR3. I think I salvaged it from my previous computer. I distinctly remember asking about adding it to my Dell, but ended up not installing it due to what I was told. I can't for the life of me remember what that was or where I asked. I do remember hearing that adding DDR3 to a laptop with DDR4 would slow it down, but I don't see a problem with the DDR3 stick I have being added to the DDR3 already in my Dell. Maybe it was the frequency? The RAM stick shows it's 1066MHZ. I don't know the freq. of what's already installed without removing the back panel. My info. screen doesn't say. It just shows that I have 6GB.

So, is there any other factor other than the DDR number to consider? I don't want to install this thing and then burn something out as a result.

The best way to find out what RAM your laptop can use is to visit Crucial.com. They say that your Dell Inspiron 15-5558 uses DDR3L 1600MHz. That is also confirmed by Dell.

It has two slots for RAM, and if you have 6GB then you must already be using both of them, 4GB in one slot and 2GB in the other. If you want more RAM you'll have to replace the 2GB RAM with 4GB to take it up to 8GB. The most your machine can support is 16GB, that would be two 8GB DDR3-1600.

https://dl.dell.com/manuals/all-prod...uide_en-us.pdf

Dell Inspiron 15 (5558) | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com

I got a new Dell Vostro 3400 Notebook in Oct. '21 when Win11 was released, came with Win10 with the free Upgrade. It had 8GB RAM and I also found a 4GB module saved from a junked Notebook, now running fine with 12GB but for the channel it shows Mixed rather than Single or Dual in CPU-Z. The 4GB module is slightly slower speed but no hindrance to operation.

Ordered some memory for a client to upgrade DDR3 4GB to 16GB [maximum for motherboard], Crucial is showing some limits to their stock and offered 2 places on the 'net but they were out, found it on Amazon. DDR and DDR2 are nearly extinct except maybe for eBay, DDR3 is not far behind. I have 3 Dell SFF Desktops on hand I've gotten up to 8GB running Win10, saving for someone's need instead of throwing away.

Be careful - even Crucial and similar do not always get it right.

My ASUS laptop has 16 GB RAM and Crucial says it can be expanded but it does not take into account that the 16GB RAM is pre-soldered i.e. cannot be replaced and there are no expansion sockets.

Had I realised this when I bought laptop, I would not have bought it.

The use of soldered RAM is becoming more common - RAM dies, you need to replace whole laptop. This is a cynical development and contrary to acceptable environmental ethos.

SIW2 said:

That is strange. Ray Hinchliffe siv is very well known.

If there is something very peculiar about your browser you can d/l it from majorgeeks or file hippo and so on.
Download SIV (System Information Viewer) - MajorGeeks

so you can find out what ram you have and in which slots.

I downloaded it from the TechSpot mirror... it scans 100% clean locally and at Virustotal.

HWInfo will tell all about your memory. Don't need to install. Extract and run.