NEED RAM Upgrades Advice

[taishan]

I am kinda stuck with the decision, whether to upgrade my T43 from 512MB to 1.5GB or to 2GB. Is there really big difference as far as the performance is concerned? As well as between Dual Channel and Single Channel?

Thanks.

[Nick Y]

As I had 512MB on delivery, I decided to put in an extra 512MB -hence 1GB total. Seems fine to me, and very simple to install.

[taishan]

As I had 512MB on delivery, I decided to put in an extra 512MB -hence 1GB total. Seems fine to me, and very simple to install.

I was thinking about the same, putting an extra 512MB and make both 512 and dual channel but then in the future, definitely need to go for 2GB. So getting a 1GB would save efforts for the future. Although putting a 512MB for now would save some money or even a 1GB for getting 2 1GBs is kinda expensive and also having to get rid of a 512MB.

Hard to make a choice since I think 2X512MB is not gonna be faster than 2X1GB but the question is how fater it can be?

[taishan]

Also I found this kinda weird memory module for T43. It's a single 2GB from IBM at ebay. I asked the tech support of IBM and the rep. asked me to wait on line to check if it's compatible with T43 and got confirmed it is. Here is the pic

http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/4126/73p38475va.jpg

Any comments?

Note: For images over 50Kb, please either post a warning in the post beforehand or the URL only; Thanks -Wolf

[rosemarycane]

Hi,
I just upgraded the memory in my t43 to 2gigs. As for a difference, I really don't notice all that much. Things seem a little faster than with 512mb, but that could also be my mind playing tricks on me.

If you have a Microcenter near you or would considered ordering from them online, they have Kingston 1gb modules for $80 a piece after rebate. I bought two. I figure why buy another 512mb when I would want to go to 2gb later any way.

However, if you need a 512mb module, I have the one I pulled from my t43 for sale. I would let it go for $30 shipped anywhere in the US.

My 2 cents

[taishan]

Thanks

[w0qj]

1. Upgrading from 512MB to 1 GB RAM is plenty enough for most people.

I noticed a somewhat snappier Windows UI response after this (especially when switching to another program--less page file usage).


2. As 512 MB RAM is much cheaper than a 1 GB RAM stick, you can use the money left over to buy a Seagate or Hitachi 7K100

This HDD swap will make a big difference (once you have enough RAM).

[muffd]

I had this same dilemma last month but then came to the conclusion that 1gb of ram was plenty for what I do. This in turn allowed me to also purchase the 80gb seagate 7200 rpm hard drive.
Are you doing anything that would require more than the 1gb of ram? Also, have you thought of getting a faster hard drive (if you haven't already)?

[davidspalding]

I think Windows shows a noticeable pickup in performance when you go > 512 MB RAM. If you add another PC2-4200 stick, you'll have 1 GB AND it'll operate at dual-channel (throughput to memory doubles). You won't get dual channel if you add a 1 GB stick to your 512 MB stick.

I did that last fall and was happy for a while. Now that I'm doing serious multimedia editing, I pulled out my 512 MB stick to install 2x 1 GB sticks, so I'm now at dual-channel. FYI I'm selling my IBM 512 MB stick in the marketplace forum; I believe Rosemary is too.

[Nick Y]

I think Windows shows a noticeable pickup in performance when you go > 512 MB RAM. If you add another PC2-4200 stick, you'll have 1 GB AND it'll operate at dual-channel (throughput to memory doubles). You won't get dual channel if you add a 1 GB stick to your 512 MB stick....

Apologies but I'm a bit confused by your answer: 512M + 1GB gives dual-channel, but 1GB +512M does not?

[dexta]

How do you check it it is using dual channel?

[Nick Y]

How do you check it it is using dual channel?

Just completed utility search myself. Try CPU-Z and look at memory tab. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Nick

[jaybert]

I think Windows shows a noticeable pickup in performance when you go > 512 MB RAM. If you add another PC2-4200 stick, you'll have 1 GB AND it'll operate at dual-channel (throughput to memory doubles). You won't get dual channel if you add a 1 GB stick to your 512 MB stick....

Apologies but I'm a bit confused by your answer: 512M + 1GB gives dual-channel, but 1GB +512M does not?

no, you get dual channel when your two sticks of memory match (in size, latency, timing). I think he thought you have a 512mb stick in your laptop right now...so if you add another 512mb, it should run in dual channel mode as long as they are similar sticks.

[Nick Y]

Thanks jaybert. I mis-read the original post!

[davidspalding]

Correct, dual-channel is enabled when both memory banks are filled with equal amounts. That is, 512 + 512, or 256 + 256, 1024 + 1024. If you configure as 1024 + 512, you won't get dual-channel performance.

... whether to upgrade my T43 from 512MB to 1.5GB or to 2GB....

In this case, the 1.5 GB configuration (1024 + 512) won't be in dual-channel mode. But 2 GB (1024 + 1024) would. So if the OP has a PC2-4200 512 mb DIMM in bank 0, another in bank 1 will do the trick.