Sony Laptop memory upgrade- "Low density"?

[Rlah]

I have a Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL laptop about 2 years old. Installed memory is 256MB: 128MB fixed and 1 bank filled with stick of 128MB: PC133 SODIMM SDRAM. The only way to upgrade this machine is to replace this stick with a 256MB stick to get maximum 384MB.

Well I was about to bid on eBay for memory of this type but one seller replied to a compatibility question with the following: "Your laptop does support 256mb pc133 sodimm, but it use 16x8 (16 chips version). 8 chips version may not work."

He surprised me as almost no sellers I have seen on the Internet, either eBay or new memory suppliers (except Comtread), said *anything* about whether they are selling "16 chip" or "8 chip" versions. I presume (after reading warnings on crucial.com) that "16 chip" is "low density" and "8 chip" is "high density".
I notice memoryx.net specifically says their memory for this machine is "8 chip". Should I worry about this or just buy "PC133 SODIMM 256MB" ram anywhere - even eBay?

Here's a pic of the memory in my Sony:

http://www.pbase.com/rlah/image/37884827

Thx for any assistance.
r_lah

 

[Sival]

Without getting into a low density/high density discussion, let me just say that I have a Sony VAIO laptop that is also a few years old (perhaps a year or so older than yours). When I added memory it was very picky. I would recommend that you stick to one of the online memory configurators like those found on the Crucial or Kingston websites. Although you may pay a little more, you are ensuring a headache-free upgrade unlike the experience I had trying to find memory that would work. I could find no generic memory that would work regardless of whether it fit the proper specs (correct density and CAS latency). And yes, if your machine currently uses low density RAM, you will likely need to stick with it as your motherboard may not work with high density. Good luck.

 

[tf1]

I totally agree with Sival's advice. Vaios are very picky on memory (as are many laptops of that period). If you stick to Kingston warranted or Crucial using their on line configurators, you may pay a little more but it is guaranteed to work

Think how much Sony would demand for a memory upgrade and then you'll be much happier!

Regards: tf1

 

[Rlah]

Thanks to Sival and tf1! I appreciate the experienced responses. I'll stick with the majors for sure now.

rlah