RAM update- IBM or not?

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alfio · #1 Post by **alfio** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:57 pm

toying with the idead of adding more RAM to my T43 (currently have a single stick 1GB), how much--if anything--do we loose on performace, etc. by not going with IBM memory? TIA

a

brentpresley · #2 Post by **brentpresley** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:00 pm

Zilch.

If the sticks are the SAME OEM model number, there is absolutely NO difference b/w them and the IBMs except that silly little label.

#3 Post by **archer6** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:18 pm

Go to this web site:
www.newegg.com

They have great prices on a variety of brands. You will save quite a bit of money compared to buying from IBM/Lenovo.

nirvana0001 · #4 Post by **nirvana0001** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:28 pm

i just got a 1gb ram of kingston from newegg yesterday.
totally $108. the performance is way much better than previous.
for example, in battle field 2, normally i am the 10th person join the game after a 64 people server reloaded, but right now, i am the first

and no more lag.

alfio · #5 Post by **alfio** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:42 pm

ok, so so long as the specs are the same, no difference. newegg it is. thanks all

alfio · #6 Post by **alfio** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:53 pm

if i look at optional accessories for my T43, i get two possible 1GB RAM options:

1GB PC2-4200 CL4 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM

1GB PC2-5300 CL5 DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM

i thought these were only able to run 4200 (?)

a

Bgradid · #7 Post by **Bgradid** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:59 pm

You can add faster ram that will just clock itself down
so you can put it in, but, you won't feel any additional benefit

#8 Post by **archer6** » Tue May 09, 2006 7:20 pm

little a wrote:if i look at optional accessories for my T43, i get two possible 1GB RAM options:

1GB PC2-4200 CL4 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM

1GB PC2-5300 CL5 DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM

i thought these were only able to run 4200 (?)

a

I might suggest that you install the same spec ram that's in the computer now. The faster will cost more and run at the same speed as the ram that's in the computer. (slower)
When I add more ram (which I always do) I am careful to use the same spec as what's in the computer from the mfg. The big advantage of buying from newegg, is the amount of money you save.

nirvana0001 · #9 Post by **nirvana0001** » Tue May 09, 2006 11:43 pm

CL5 is slower than CL4

brentpresley · #10 Post by **brentpresley** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:03 am

nirvana0001 wrote:CL5 is slower than CL4

CL5 at 5300 cannot be compared to CL4 at 4200.

Most likely they are the same chips rated at different timings at different speeds.

#11 Post by **archer6** » Wed May 10, 2006 11:36 am

brentpresley wrote:
nirvana0001 wrote:CL5 is slower than CL4
CL5 at 5300 cannot be compared to CL4 at 4200.

Most likely they are the same chips rated at different timings at different speeds.

This is my understanding as well, same chips rated at different timings, different speeds.

Archer6

emit · #12 Post by **emit** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:06 pm

Im in the same position, looking to upgrade the RAM on my T43. I bought a Kingston 512MB stick from Newegg but unfortunately started having all sorts of problem. After popping the RAM in I got two different BSOD errors, lockups and pixelation/distortion with display (my model has the integrated GMA900 that shares the memory). When the Kingston stick was removed everything worked fine. Weird since Kingston has always been very reliable for me. Next one I'll probably try is Crucial since they are supposedly very reliable and perform well.

davidspalding · #13 Post by **davidspalding** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:59 pm

I'm running something like 6-7 Kingston sticks in various devices, no problems. I find their quality reliability higher than others. You just got a rare, bad stick IMHO. Should've been easy to replace from the vendor, or Kingston.

dreamYu · #14 Post by **dreamYu** » Fri May 12, 2006 1:34 pm

I can highly recommend the the stuff from crucial. Their service is really great, they deliver their sweet products in 3 days from UK to Austria (!) and the price is reasonable. In addition, their sticks are certified for your thinkpad.

I'm happy with 'em

kstuart · #15 Post by **kstuart** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:51 am

I've used Crucial memory exclusively for something like 10 years now. Great customer service and top quality product. Sometimes there are 10% off links on various tech sites. Free 2 day delivery is often given.

I only once have had any RAM problems, which was a 512MB stick from Crucial which gave big problems from day one - Crucial sent out a replacement which has been fine, no arguments.

The reason for all this is that RAM problems are a pain - they tend to look like other problems. You have to use the memtest86 program to really know for sure.

I do use newegg for all my other computer parts. Each item has customer reviews, which are very helpful. Newegg tends to delete negative reviews (their only failing), but everyone gets around this by posting 5 stars - and then telling it like it is - in the text of the review.

Stuff that is insanely popular at newegg (like 50-80 positive reviews) has always performed well for me - generally finicky and picky geeks shop there.

If you don't want to pay the slight premium for Crucial, then newegg is probably the next best choice.

Bgradid · #16 Post by **Bgradid** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:52 am

I'm curious, does IBM care if you've installed 3rd party ram should you ever need it serviced? Or should I sneak out my 2 1gB sticks I got and put in the 512 it came with if I was to send it to the shops

DIGITALgimpus · #17 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 10:23 am

Normally they don't care... but you can remove it before you service your laptop.

IBM often uses Micron RAM... Crucial RAM is Micron's label for consumer sales... so it's literally the EXACT same thing, but with a different label on the top.

alfio · #18 Post by **alfio** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:12 am

brentpresley wrote:
nirvana0001 wrote:CL5 is slower than CL4
CL5 at 5300 cannot be compared to CL4 at 4200.

Most likely they are the same chips rated at different timings at different speeds.

still haven't pulled the trigger on this update but i want to double check i understood this correctly.

i understand that when mismatching sticks, default will be to the slower one.

but, if i upgrade both, would it make a difference to choose CL4 or CL5?

TIA

a

zverg · #19 Post by **zverg** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:06 am

little a wrote:
brentpresley wrote: CL5 at 5300 cannot be compared to CL4 at 4200.

Most likely they are the same chips rated at different timings at different speeds.
still haven't pulled the trigger on this update but i want to double check i understood this correctly.

i understand that when mismatching sticks, default will be to the slower one.

but, if i upgrade both, would it make a difference to choose CL4 or CL5?

TIA

a

If you upgrade both, they'll both run at the slower speed. Your chipset is setting the bar.

alfio · #20 Post by **alfio** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:03 am

zverg wrote:
If you upgrade both, they'll both run at the slower speed. Your chipset is setting the bar.

sorry to be extra dense about this but i'm still not clear on which type is slower and/or the limits of the T43. i'm assuming your comment means that my machine can't use the faster type of RAM (whichever it is) because my chipset determines the speed (is that right?). thanks

a

zverg · #21 Post by **zverg** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:30 am

little a wrote:
zverg wrote:
If you upgrade both, they'll both run at the slower speed. Your chipset is setting the bar.
sorry to be extra dense about this but i'm still not clear on which type is slower and/or the limits of the T43. i'm assuming your comment means that my machine can't use the faster type of RAM (whichever it is) because my chipset determines the speed (is that right?). thanks

a

Yup, the chipset determines the speed. With DDR SDRAM you can usually get faster RAM than your chipset prescribes with no adverse effect. The RAM will just run at the speed your chipset tells it to.

alfio · #22 Post by **alfio** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:46 am

zverg wrote:
Yup, the chipset determines the speed. With DDR SDRAM you can usually get faster RAM than your chipset prescribes with no adverse effect. The RAM will just run at the speed your chipset tells it to.

ok, and for a T43 2686 (2.0 dothan), the chipset prescribed RAM speed is.... PC2-4200 CL4? (right?)

zverg · #23 Post by **zverg** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:38 pm

little a wrote:
zverg wrote:
Yup, the chipset determines the speed. With DDR SDRAM you can usually get faster RAM than your chipset prescribes with no adverse effect. The RAM will just run at the speed your chipset tells it to.
ok, and for a T43 2686 (2.0 dothan), the chipset prescribed RAM speed is.... PC2-4200 CL4? (right?)

I believe so. Whichever is 533MHz. I think all my ram is 3200 (400MHz)

alfio · #24 Post by **alfio** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:05 am

zverg wrote:
little a wrote: ok, and for a T43 2686 (2.0 dothan), the chipset prescribed RAM speed is.... PC2-4200 CL4? (right?)
I believe so. Whichever is 533MHz. I think all my ram is 3200 (400MHz)

not that i don't trust you zverg, but can anyone else confirm this one way or the other?

a

zverg · #25 Post by **zverg** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:15 pm

little a wrote:
zverg wrote:
Yup, the chipset determines the speed. With DDR SDRAM you can usually get faster RAM than your chipset prescribes with no adverse effect. The RAM will just run at the speed your chipset tells it to.
ok, and for a T43 2686 (2.0 dothan), the chipset prescribed RAM speed is.... PC2-4200 CL4? (right?)

yup. just checked crucial.com for that info and they confirmed it.

pianowizard · #26 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:59 pm

This is what I ordered last week and am using right now for my T43 2669:

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4815980

alfio · #27 Post by **alfio** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:49 pm

zverg wrote:
little a wrote: ok, and for a T43 2686 (2.0 dothan), the chipset prescribed RAM speed is.... PC2-4200 CL4? (right?)

yup. just checked crucial.com for that info and they confirmed it.

did you check with a supposed specialist or are you refering to their website info, cause there they list both options.

a

pianowizard · #28 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:24 pm

little a wrote:did you check with a supposed specialist or are you refering to their website info, cause there they list both options.

Wow, little a, it has been six months since you started this thread and you still haven't upgraded? Why are you hesitating? I just looked up T43 2686 in the Tabook and found this info:

512MB std / 2GB max7 / PC2-4200 533MHz DDR2 / non-parity / CL4 / dual channel capable / two 200-pin SO-DIMM sockets / std mem in one socket / one socket available

The 2x1GB dual channel kit for $160 shipped at http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4815980 is by far the lowest price I have seen for these sticks, and it's working flawlessly on my T43.

alfio · #29 Post by **alfio** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:16 pm

pianowizard wrote:
Wow, little a, it has been six months since you started this thread and you still haven't upgraded? Why are you hesitating?

well, i'm methodical like that for some things and, because i've yet to hear a definitive answer on this issue (i.e. whether 4200 is the fastest available RAM), i've not pulled the trigger. i'd hate to spend money on 4200 memory if there's something (even a tad) faster out there for my machine.

a

christopher_wolf · #30 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:22 pm

That the fastest spec memory you can get in the T43. The only thing faster would be PC2-5300, but those sticks wouldn't work and would merely get clocked down. In addition, any difference would be difficult to notice for everyday applications.

RAM update- IBM or not?

RAM update- IBM or not?

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