Adding a second stick for dual-channel is worth it.

Yes, you’ll notice it. Doubling memory bandwidth from single-channel to dual-channel is one of the cheapest ways to make a laptop feel snappier.

The 8GB soldered stick runs in single-channel by itself. Adding another 8GB in the socketed slot gives you dual-channel mode. That means the CPU can talk to both sticks at once, doubling the data transfer rate. For integrated graphics (which lots of soldered-RAM laptops have), this is huge — think 20-50% better performance in games or video editing. For general use like browsing or Office, you’ll see smoother multitasking and faster app loading.

Worth noting: if your soldered RAM is already dual-channel (some laptops have two soldered chips), adding a socketed stick might break symmetric dual-channel. But you said 8GB soldered alone, so that’s single-channel. You’re going from one lane to two — a real upgrade.

Don’t expect magic. But for the cost of a single stick, it’s one of the best performance-per-dollar moves you can make in a soldered-RAM laptop.