Thinkpads Forum

Can I improve the video performance of my miniscule ATI 9000 32 MB graphic card by upgrading my RAM from 768 MB to 2GB?


Also is there a process for upgrading the ATI 9000 from 32 MB to a more MBs? say 64 MB or 128 MB?

I haven't seen it discussed anywhere.
Thanks guys,
Delmarco

I don't believe the vid memory is shared in Thinkpads... although I could be wrong... hopefully someone else knows for certain.

As far as upgrading vid memory... the only way to do it is to change the motherboard as the vid chip is soldered into the motherboard.

I would like to "update" my computer so that it might be able to hold Windows Vista that will come out in the fall & run applications that are compatible with it.


Here's my spec. Pnetium M 1.4 GHz, 256MB, 32MB video, 34GB 4200RPM hard drive.


In Lenovo's website, there is a cheap option for 256 or 512MB.

Would my 1.4GHz processor be able to be efficient with 768MB of RAM? I know that no matter how much RAM my laptop has, without strong processing power, all that RAM are put to waste.


Also, if it is true that I have to upgrade the entire motherboard in order to get a larger video card, then where should I go and how would I do it?

Also, considering my 4200RPM hard drive, is it worth it to upgrade any of those? I know that no matter how large the RAM, processor, and video are, if the data can't be transferred b/w the motherboard and the hard drive fast enough, all that upgrades would be put to waste.[/b]

Your machine with more ram should be able to run Vista without the enhanced video applications. Go with the max ram. Many here recommend Crucial.

Upgrading the HD will give you a big boost in performance.

How would Crucial be better than RAM manufactured by IBM? Any problem in durability?

Hey!!! Did my thread just get hi-jacked!???

at any rate, the information seems to be giving me ideas!


I'm with ThinkPad_R,

Why is Crucial memory better or more desirable that the IBM manufactured FRU 31P9835 one?

Can you actually experience a difference between brands of memory???


I'm asking because I'm about to purchase 2x1GB RAM from IBM parts#FRU 31P9835 this week. And they ain't cheap, but the warranty is nice.
Why should I research Crucial brand memory before opening my wallet to IBM?

Crucial seems to come up a lot around here, so it's a relatively safe bet, nobody here will recommend second best stuff. Could be you get better bang for the buck with crucial. I've purchased ibm and non ibm and have had great luck. Ram would be something you want to be sure of, and paying a little extra for the peace of mind is worth it (to me).

No hijack just additional info

Delmarco wrote:[Why is Crucial memory better or more desirable that the IBM manufactured FRU 31P9835 one?

Why should I research Crucial brand memory before opening my wallet to IBM?

First, IBM/Lenovo does not manufacture ANY memory.

Second, Crucial is the retail store for Micron Memory, one of the largest memory manufacturers in the world.

Third, when you purchase memory from IBM/Lenovo you will quite often receive a stick of Micron RAM with an IBM parts number sticker artistically added.

Fourth, Lenovo charges you $40 to $50 for adding the sticker! Plus exorbitant shipping, usually around $16 for a stick of RAM, plus sales tax .

If Crucial/Micron is good enough for IBM/Lenovo, it should be good enough for you.

The Corsair memory available from Newegg.com is also reportedly reliable and is usually ~$25 cheaper than Crucial, but I have no personal experience with it.

I had a 7YO stick of Crucial RAM in one of my old Thinkpads that went teats up. One phone call to Crucial had a free replacement in my hands two days later under their lifetime warranty.

Regards,

James

So should I get a 256MB or 512 MB?

My thinkpad has 4200RPM hard drive & Pentium M 1.4GHz

-->

would 512MB be less efficient?

Also, does 512MB have higher energy consumption than 256MB stick?

thanks

Well XP will run pretty good with 512, but since you have so many processes running (from your other posts) i'd go with 512 total 768. Just for some info, friday i upgraded my t30 HD from a 54K to72K and the difference is quite remarkable, right now it will beat my t42. Now i have to get a 72K for my t42. And also if you are thinking about upgrading your operating system to vista you will be thankful for adding the ram and faster hd.

ThinkPad R wrote:So should I get a 256MB or 512 MB?

Get a 1GB and install it in the slot under the keyboard. Put your existing RAM in the slot in the bottom of the unit.

While a 1GB stick uses slightly more energy than a 256MB stick, it works so much faster that the overall result is a net gain.

Regards,

James

yeah I agree with above,
At this point 1gb memory is so readily available and cheaper compared to a year ago. Initially when I just got my ThinkPad last week I was looking for a 512 MB chip to replace the 256 chip under my keyboard and combine the new 512 chip with the 512 chip I have now in my optional slot for a total of 1024gb ram, but after I did the cost analysis to performance benefits I quickly realized getting at least a 1GB ram chip to replace the 256MB in my keyboard and keeping the 512 chip in the optional slot, until i can afford another 1GB chip for the optional slot, was the best thing right now. In otherwords, maxing out the slot under the keyboard one time to 1GB is better and cheaper than going back every few months or weeks and getting more memory upgrades for that slot.

so i agree with these guys dont even waste time with 256 get 1gb for your under keyboard slot if you can, or settle for the 512.

Crucial/Micron, Hynix, Samsung RAM is typically considered to be the best there is. High end manufacturers only use a few brands, these tend to be the ones.

Most RAM companies don't make their own chips, they buy them from various companies (often Crucial/Micron!). The problem is you don't know what your getting. You can buy it one day, and get Crucial, and buy the exact same one again, and get some no-name brand chips.

IMHO all 3 are top notch.