Is it possible to install 4x32GB Ram in a Lenovo ThinkPad w520 Quad Core

[V.V.S. Kambli]

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I recently bought a new Lenovo thinkPad W520 with i7 Quad Core processor. And not I am planning to increase my Ram storage.

Actually I am planning to increase the Ram beyond the expectations, we all know that normally for a quad core model it is possible to possible to have just 16GB of Ram i.e. 4x4GB. But what I was planning to do is to increase the Ram more than the normal expected one i.e. to increase till 32GB (4x8GB). I am actually not sure whether it is possible to install 32GB Ram on a quad core laptop or is there anyone who has tried it?

[Samaria]

As according to my knowledge having 32GB Ram is not at all possible especially in W520 thinkpad. The i7 2720QM, i7 2820QM and the i7 2920XM, they all strictly supports only 16GB Ram, where each individual slots can catch hold only 4GB DDR3 PC3-10600 ram at a maximum.

I discussed a lot with the care center people but even they were unable to suggest me with any alternative.

[Sasuke Uchiha]

First of all have you ever seen a memory controller handling 32 or more than 32GB Ram? If you really feel that it is possible then please make sure that your memory controller can handle it smoothly.
As far as I know the memory controller is built into the CPU which can possibly not recognize more than 16GB of RAM. So according to me it is physically and practically both not possible for the implementation. The maximum memory size always depends upon the memory type which is max to max 16 GB.

[Anjan1990]

Hey I guess it is possible to use 32GB of RAM if you are using the DDR3 PC3-8500 Ram. But as far as PC3-10600 Ram is concerned I am sure 16GB is at its max.

Even I have a W510 with i7-820QM with 16GB memory (4 x 4GB). As according to the intel site’s specifications, it is indicated that the i7-820QM supports maximum memory size of 8GB and not 4GB. But the worst thing is that this support is provides you with 2 channels. So that means the total memory size you are provided with the two channels are 16 GB. But if we go through it then definitely we can expect that the newer i7 processor will for sure support 32GB of Ram.

[Mahalingam]

I do not trust Lenovo anymore now. Even I bought a new Lenovo thinkpad W520 and When I read the complete Lenovo W520 specification in order to clear myself regarding this Ram size issue believing that I will get the correct answer over there. I found that on the 3rd page of the specifications it was clearly mentioned that it supports 32GB of Ram. Not only there but also when these people advertised on the site, the advertisement also indicated the same thing. But everyone know the fact that its actually supporting 16GB.

[Raubhautz]

I also had the same concerns as various software packages scan the laptop and determine it can handle 8gb sticks for a total of 32gb... I talked with a tech @ Lenovo last week and he confirmed that the machine can handle 32gb, just that Lenovo does not sell the 8gb sticks.