Does my T40 shipped with 512 ram use one bank or two banks?

[btait1]

I can not find this info online and I would prefer not to open her up if I don't have to. If the 512 is only in one bank I will get 512 for the other. If I got 256 in each then I may consider 1GB for the empty bank.

Thanks!

Brian

[Skywing]

T42s ALWAYS come with only one slot filled unless otherwise specified, they do this simply so the user does have the option of upgrading on their own

[G-Man]

Usually there is one empty RAM slot. What's the model number?

Regards,
G-Man

[btait1]

Skywing and G-Man,

AT the last moment I was able to answer my own question by downloading a program from Crucials website. Only one bank is filled. Now, the next question:

IBM's 1MB upgrade is:
1GB PC2700 CL2.5 DDR SDRAM SODIMM
Price: $656

Crucials 1MB upgrade is:

DDR PC2100 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • Non-parity • DDR266 • 2.5V • 128Meg x 64 200pin sodimm
Price $429

Questions:
1. How significant is the difference between IBMS PC2700 and Crucials PC2100?
2. Is Crucials also SDRAM
3. Any other differences between the two that I should be aware of?
4. What gives the most bang for the buck?

Thanks for quick replies!!

Brian

[gosha16]

1.) a t40 uses pc2100 memory (266 mhz ddr), it would be a waste of money to get pc2700 because your memory does not run at that speed.

2) both of those memory sticks are DDR sdram

3.) ibm actually uses crucial memory for some of the thinpads from what ive read

4.) there will be no performance differance between the 2 sticks. definatly get the crucial pc2100

[btait1]

gosha16,

Am I to understand that the only 1GB ram that IBM lists as an upgrade is can not even be taken advantage of b/c of the pc2100 memory? That is rediculous....are you sure about that?

Thanks!

Brian

[gosha16]

am positive about what i said. it doesnt make sense for ibm to carry both pc2100 and 2700 since you can use pc2700 in place of pc2100 just fine. buy the crucial. its awesome memory

[spotter]

Dothan processors have a 333mhz (aka pc2700) memory bus. If you stick a pc2100 chip inside of it, you will neuter it.

Banias processors have a 266mhz (aka pc2100) memory bus.

[Chun-Yu]

T41s come with PC2700 and Banias. In fact, since the T4x series all use the Intel 855PM chipset, I bet if you removed all the PC2100 in the T40 and put in PC2700, there's a good chance it would run at that speed.

[jsmit86]

Spotter -
-I think you have to check the specs. On my T42 according to IBM :


Processor Intel Pentium M 1.5 GHz
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino Mobile Technology

Installed Memory 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)


Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Processor
Processor Type Pentium M

Processor Manufacturer Intel

Processor Speed 1.5 GHz
Motherboard
Bus Speed 400 MHz.

Chipset Intel 855PM Chipset



Memory
Installed RAM 256 MB

RAM Technology DDR SDRAM

Max Supported RAM 2048 MB

RAM Speed 333 MHz


So........ I would benefit from PC2700 Ram even though I do not have a Dothan!

[spotter]

ok, maybe I'm wrong, but the point was that if you want to replace pc2700 ram w/ pc2100 you are going to be (most likely) neutering performance of your system

[jsmit86]

Spotter - Agreed!

Btait1 - a lot depends on the specs of your machine. I am not sure if the
Bus and Ram speeds are uniform throughout the T4X line, but from a quick look at the web site, all of the 41s anf 42 I saw were 400msz front side bus with 333mhz RAM speed.

I checked crucial, and it listed PC2700 1GB Ram for about $449.

I would use only PC2700 unless you are certain that your system does not support the faster speed.