Thinkpads Forum

WTB: 2x4GB = 8GB DDR2 PC2-4200/5300/6400 Memory for X61T

Someone have a decent set that they would hand down for a decent price. Please let me know.

Also, I see this brand of DDR2 called Komputerbay that seems to have mixed bag reviews. Any thoughts from the TPF experts?

PS: Also I am now on 2x2=4GB on Win7x64, so wondering if putting in an SSD would boost the performance more than the 4 > 8GB upgrade ?

For the benefit of all I'll reply to your performance question. First of all, just to be sure everyone understands I'll make this clear...

Increasing from 4 to 8GB of ram won't make your system faster all all until you reach a condition where you have used all 4GB and your system needs more memory, in which case it will begin to use pagefile, in otherwords using your harddrive as ram, which is slow. Most average users don't use more then 4GB of ram, so it could be a waste of money, where the benefit from the SSD will be threefold.

Your boot up time will be improved

Your disc access will be improved and power requirements lowered.

Your page file usage will be much faster, should you run out of ram.

Also, the 4GB ddr2 chips have almost doubled in price in the past few months, most of this in January alone. I used to sell them for $40 each for name brand, now they cost me almost twice that. I suspect the memory manufacturers will notice the demand and retool the factories to make it, then the price will drop, but this is just speculation, they could continue to increase, only time will tell. I've upgraded several of my systems to 8GB, and at the moment I have over two dozen web pages open as well as adobe photoshop, a remote session and three different browsers. With all this I really need 8GB, but most people don't. If you're actually using all 4GB and your systems slowing down, then consider getting more, but in my opinion an SSD would be a far better investment.

Good luck with whatever you decide, also be careful buying these ram chips. I'm sure our sellers here are all safe, but I got some from an ebay seller that ran almost 50% slower then the 4yo ram that it replaced, so my best guess is the ram chips were substandard. Turned out to be no bargain at all.

If you install an SSD, make sure you get the middleton bios so you'll have full sata2 speed

Thanks for the insights.

Do share your source and brand/model recommendations for the 2x4 GB that would be a decent buy at this current moment (in case I decide to buy).

My usual suppliers don't have any currently, so I usually search online when I need some. I just checked for you and found this which looks like a great deal, although I make no comment about the seller as I've never purchased from them before. You should be safe if you use paypal or a credit card though.

http://www.ramexperts.com/patriot-psd28 ... -1-8v.html

Price wise you could do a lot worse in todays market, and I've used patriot brand many times. This is 800mhz not 667 that most thinkpads ship with, but using faster ram shouldn't be a problem, it will only run at the speed the board is set to run it at, but the faster ram has wider applications, as it can be used in more systems. If you were to get pc2-4200 ram and install it in a system designed for pc2-5300, you would have performance problems, but the faster ram usually will work perfectly in slower systems. I would recommend checking the return policy just to be sure. You might also see what it sells for on amazon.com. They have really good return policies.

Edit: Here is the same chip for $71 each at amazon. Slightly more, but I can recommend the seller


http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Signature ... B0027IVMBY

Thanks Tuus. Your link has best price.

I have been looking online for a while through several stores.

So these are my options:
- From RAM Experts - Patriot PSD28G800SK DDR2 SODIMM (2x4GB) 8GB PC2-6400 SODIMM 200p CL6 1.8V
129.99 + No Tax + Free Shipping
- Single: 68.99

From Amazon:
Single: 70$ Approx
Pair: 145$

Wierd how on Amazon the pair is more expensive while opposite for RAMexperts.

RAMexperts seem to have decent Reseller Ratings & Price Grabber reviews as merchants.

2 questions:
1) Would a "matched" pair be better?
- .. For Performance - Some people / places I've read people mention that a matched pair improves performance in some ways?
- .. For Replacement Indpendence.. I read a post online where when the person tried to do a RAM exchange for a faulty chip they (Corsair) asked the person to send back both modules for warranty replacement.. A pain because without that you cant run the machine

2) How are the replacement/ exchange policies with Amazon & RAMexperts? For both SHORT TERM (within 30 days) and LONG TERM (lifetime warranty)
- RAM experts seem to charge for exchange shipping.. (from what I read on their returns page)
- Amazon.. I cant see or google up any clear outline/ policy to that end?

Any people have any experiences?

I'd appreciate feedback on the above questions. Its been ages since I bought any RAM modules.

The lifetime warranty is going to have to go through patriot, no seller will honor such a warranty. Usually 30 days is standard for the seller, but I've found amazon to be among the best at dealing with returns.

As for matched pairs, that just means the same brand/speed, it doesn't matter if they came in the same package or not.

Also, if you return to the retailer, then you need to return the product as purchased, they can't accept half the package for half replacement, but doing a warranty with patriot should require only returning the bad chip.

I've never purchased from the other seller, only listed them because they were a few dollars cheaper.

My machine is a 7675CTO currently running 2 1 GB memory boards for a total of 2GB. I am interested in starting with 4GB memory and if for some reason I decide to go to 8 I can. Would it be acceptable to start with 1 4GB memory module and leave the 2nd slot open for now?

That would work but you'd pay much more for the ram buying it in 4gb single chip, probably about 50% more.

Also, this question should be posted in the regular forum, not the marketplace as you just caused a dead post to be bounced upto the top.


Can a staff member please lock this thread? it's over a year old and seems to have been abandoned by the OP.

To follow up on this thread. I got a pair of Kingston DIMMs from China through a friend from Taobao. Decent price lower than US.
Been using it for more than 6 months now.