Question 1

What's the difference between DDR3L and DDR3?

Accepted Answer

Standard DDR3 (JEDEC JESD79-3F) requires a supply voltage of 1.5V.  DDR3L (JEDEC JESD79-3-1A.01) requires a supply voltage of 1.35V.  In a nutshell, DDR3L is simply DDR3 that has been qualified to run under (slightly more stringent) DDR3L operating parameters with a 1.35-V supply voltage.  While running your memory at 1.35V instead of 1.5V does use less power and generate less heat, the memory device should be qualified to run that way--and should be labeled as DDR3L.  Standard DDR3 that has been verified to run at 1.5V *might* run at 1.35V... or it might not.  DDR3L, on the other hand, can nearly always be run at 1.5V--if the need arises.  My experience (through ~25 years of computer engineering) has been that the memory that doesn't make the premium binning selection (in this case, qualification for use as DDR3L), is usually relegated to the default binning (here, as standard DDR3).Sadly, the stock picture used in the item description shows a DIMM populated with 1 Gb (yes: gigabit, not gigabyte) chips, so it offers no insight into the operation of the instant item.  My recommendation is to continue to pummel Amazon with questions until they clarify the description as to whether or not this item is DDR3L qualified.

Question 2

Trying to figure out if it is compatible with Dell XPS 2720.  Any way to confirm before purchase? thanks!

Accepted Answer

The crucialmemory.com site isn't 100% accurate. It didn't suggest an 8GB module for my DDR3 (not DDR3L) Dell and yet the 8GB module works flawlessly.

Question 3

I have a Macbook Pro 13 inch mid 2009 model with 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Will this work for my machine?

Accepted Answer

I have a mid-2010 Macbook Pro 13in 2.4ghz and this did NOT work for me. After installation, I basically could not turn on my computer at all. I was worried, then I installed the old RAM that was in it originally and luckily it turned on. That being said, I had an older 2009 Dell PC Notebook laying around, I tried the RAM in that and that WORKED.  I would have liked to put this in my Apple Macbook Pro, but it just didn't work for me.  I did keep it since it's now in the Dell and did boost its performance quite a bit.

Question 4

Is this actually 1.35V DDR3L, as opposed to DDR3 as stated in the name? The Gigabyte BRIX GB-BXi5-4200 I will use it in requires DDR3L.

Accepted Answer

Some companies like Corsair use the designation 1.35v DDRL memory and others like Crucial do not use the designation L for 1.35v DDR3 memory.  The memory is "low voltage" in both cases, but one company uses the designation "L" and the other does.  The actual voltage of the memory is what is important and *all* 1.35v memory is low voltage.  This 1.35v DDR3 memory is the new standard for Intel Haswell chips.

RAM	4 GB DDR3
Memory Speed	1600 MHz
Hard Drive	4 GB
Brand	Micron
Series	Crucial DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s SODIMM Memory
Item model number	CT51264BF160B
Item Weight	0.317 ounces
Product Dimensions	6.87 x 0.74 x 2.13 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH	6.87 x 0.74 x 2.13 inches
Color	Multicolor
Number of Processors	1
Computer Memory Type	DDR3 SDRAM
Flash Memory Size	4
Voltage	1.35 Volts
Department	memory
Manufacturer	Crucial
ASIN	B005LDLV6S
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Date First Available	December 5, 2011

Crucial 4GB Single DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/S (PC3-12800) Unbuffered SODIMM 204-Pin Memory - CT51264BF160B

Details

Description

Specifications

Have a Question? See What Others Asked

Common Questions