Quick question about RAM

[t40lover]

Hello all,
Is it possible a non-IBM(that doesn't come from IBM) RAM wouldn't work on Thinkpads even if all the specifications match?
I couldn't get any answer to my previous post

Thanks,
Al.

[GomJabbar]

You should not have any problem with non-IBM RAM if the specifications match. However, once I bought (2) sticks of RAM from Circuit City for a desktop machine I had. The computer wouldn't see all the RAM it was supposed to. One of the sticks I bought was bad from the store. I brought both sticks back and got (2) new sticks, then everything was fine.

If you buy a reputable brand of memory, you shouldn't have any problem. Crucial seems to be the favorite here. In fact if you go to their website, they have an online tool for finding the perfect match for your model of your laptop or computer.

[GomJabbar]

An addendum:

I just read a post by JHEM where he wrote (paraphrasing here) regarding a TP 600X, low density RAM must be used and it must be PC100 not PC133 for reliable operation. So I guess at least some models of computers can be quite picky about what's in them. Still, if ALL the specs match, I would think the RAM would work.

One other thing, some models of computers require sticks of RAM to be installed in pairs. Other models do not require this. I installed one additional stick in my T-42 and it's running great. When I installed RAM in a desktop I had about 3 years ago, I had to buy and install the RAM in pairs.

[emorphien]

RAM is RAM, it's all basically the same.

Just make sure to get the right type and speed of RAM for your laptop. Some brands are better than others, you generally get what you pay for. I prefer crucial and that's what I've always put in laptops (incidentally the stick I took out of my T43p when I upgraded it was a crucial so maybe that's what IBM uses).