Memory Upgrade for 2378FVU :: 1 or 2 Chips?

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RogerPodacter · #1 Post by **RogerPodacter** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:36 pm

I'm about to order 512MB of memory from Crucial.com for my T42 (which is supposed to arrive tomorrow). First question, how many empty memory slots does the T42 have available? And if there is more than one available slot, is it better to buy 1 512 MB chip or 2 256MB chips?

Kenn · #2 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:00 pm

There are two slots total, one is free.

Rule of thumb, always get one stick as opposed to two of a smaller size.

Flightvector · #3 Post by **Flightvector** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:45 am

Definitely go for a single 512Mb SODIMM since 1Gb is really the minimal optimal configuration and you definitely want this option later on. 1Gb SODIMMs are still a bit costly if you are not considering upgrading to 1Gb right now. However, a single memory chip generally performs better than two of the same total capacity unless dual-channel is considered, where the performance gap is smaller.

millennm · #4 Post by **millennm** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 8:53 pm

I have a A20M and want to upgrade the memory. It currently has 2 DIMMS that have 64 meg each. I'd like to upgrade the memory to at least twice its current amount, which is 128meg.

The IBM web site says, "In general, ThinkPad systems have one memory socket available to install upgrade modules. It may be necessary to remove the standard memory module in order to upgrade to the maximum allowable memory. "

This is very confusing.

Can I just replace one of the 64 meg Dimms with a larger one?
Do I have to replace both Dimms with equal size Dimms?
Can I remove both Dimms and just add one large Dimm?

That IBM quote above thoroughly confused me about how I should approach this simple memory upgrade. How is this done?

Thanks

mdarnton · #5 Post by **mdarnton** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 9:19 pm

Don't know about your A20M, whatever that is (this is the T board), but the usual configuration is two memory slots, only one of which is easily accessible by the owner, and is empty. The other is buried in a bit, and has the base amount of memory your computer comes with. So to add memory the easiest thing is to put something in the accessible slot, which is available through a door in the bottom of the computer. Then if you want to add even more, you have to dig in and find the other slot, and replace what's there. Which is more work, but not impossible.

dfumento · #6 Post by **dfumento** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 9:48 pm

Regarding A20m. I have an A31p and there are two accessible memory slots. Go to www.pc.ibm.com/support type in model number and look for hardware maintenance manual.

millennm · #7 Post by **millennm** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:29 pm

Thanks, I found the installation movie for the A20m.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46012

Both memory slots are accessible. I was just confused because there are two equal 64 meg. DIMMs in the slots. I was wondering if my A20m required to equal Dimms like alot of the modern motherboards do today. I believe it's called duel channel memory. But since this A20m is around 5 years old I seriously doubt that it matters if the memory Dimms are the same.

Thanks

syhead · #8 Post by **syhead** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:46 pm

I currently have 2x256mb. I also wanted to upgrade, but I think it wouldn't be a good investiment getting one 512mb stick to replace one 256mb stick. I wanted to do a bigger jump and get a 1Gb stick, but it's too expensive... I wonder is these prices are getting down soon...

dfumento · #9 Post by **dfumento** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:46 pm

My A31p runs with a 256 and a 512.

JHEM · #10 Post by **JHEM** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 5:53 pm

dfumento wrote:My A31p runs with a 256 and a 512.

Not sure if I've mentioned this to you before but the A31 will take 1GB sticks and max out at 2GB, not the 1GB stated on the IBM website.

Same goes for the T30.

Regards,

James

#11 Post by **aamsel** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:13 pm

What is the best current deal anyone has seen on 1GB PC2700 modules?? I know that newegg sells the 1GB Kingmax, but I am wary of them, even though they get great reviews.
Crucial's 1GB modules are sky high!

Andrew
Austin, TX

treker · #12 Post by **treker** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:30 pm

I am curious about the bad rep no name memory gets on this board. Has someone used cheap memory and found that it did not work in their TPs? I have successfully used lots of cheap memory in many different computers I've owned since my first home computer in 1975. In fact, I just ordered PQI PC2700 512mb from the Egg...$71 delivered. I will be popping it in very shortly. I'm pretty sure it will work just fine. Lifetime warranty. And NewEgg support.

What more do I need? As far as I am concerned...memory is pretty much a commodity. Memory is memory. More is good, though!

Am I missing something? Does a "name" mean that much? The $20-40 I saved, can be spent for something else.

dfumento · #13 Post by **dfumento** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 9:34 pm

aamsel wrote:What is the best current deal anyone has seen on 1GB PC2700 modules?? I know that newegg sells the 1GB Kingmax, but I am wary of them, even though they get great reviews.
Crucial's 1GB modules are sky high!

Check www.pricewatch.com

millennm · #14 Post by **millennm** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:01 pm

Well I figured I'd risk $50 and ordered 256meg of pc100 memory for my A20m at:
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=B144SO256S
The price is incredibly cheap and the manufacturer is DRAM Master.

The A20m takes PC100 memory as you can see at:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-55644

I'll update to tell if it works.

JHEM · #15 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:44 pm

millennm wrote:Well I figured I'd risk $50 and ordered 256meg of pc100 memory for my A20m at:
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=B144SO256S
The price is incredibly cheap and the manufacturer is DRAM Master.

I'm pretty sure it won't work as it appears to be hi-density RAM and the A20m requires lo-density RAM like the other i440BX chipset based Thinkpads.

Regards,

James

millennm · #16 Post by **millennm** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:39 pm

Well after reading some more forum posts, it looks like the low density 256meg DIMM should have 8 chips on each side rather than four. Is this correct?

How about this, is it low density?
https://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=B144SO256B

Seems to match the description of other companies low density Ram:
http://www.memorystock.com/orderitem.asp?IT=360ms-077
for the A20M.

Thanks,

treker · #17 Post by **treker** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:48 pm

UPDATE
I just received my PQI 512Mb from the EGG. Fast shipping as usual. Popped it in and booted up perfectly. Ran some memory tests which showed as being very slow. Oh NO! Then realized it was running at 600MHz. Set the Power mode to maximum and then reran tests. Shows very well - right in the middle of other PC2700 benchmarks. I am happy camper. 512Mb for $72 delivered. As far as I am concerned, memory is memory. Shop for price. Once I closed up the memory cover, no one knows I don't have expensive "name" memory running!

Leon · #18 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:53 pm

I second that. As I type this, my system is working great with the same PQI 512MB module.

ehsu · #19 Post by **ehsu** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:54 pm

aamsel wrote:What is the best current deal anyone has seen on 1GB PC2700 modules?? I know that newegg sells the 1GB Kingmax, but I am wary of them, even though they get great reviews.
Crucial's 1GB modules are sky high!

Andrew
Austin, TX

I am using 1GB PC2700 KingMax from NewEgg. Absolutely no problem and love it. Just pop it in and fly. Trust the reviews, they are from 1st hand users experience and can't go wrong.

#20 Post by **aamsel** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:54 am

So, did you leave the 256MB module that the 2378FVU came with installed?
For a total of 1.25GB ??
Just wondering if the Kingmax co-existed with the original 256MB chip ???

Andrew
Austin, TX

wildman · #21 Post by **wildman** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:00 am

I am also using the Kingmax 1GB in my FVU and have had no problems at all. I left the original 256 in there as well and am running with 1.25GB. I have not had any problems at all with this configuration.

ehsu · #22 Post by **ehsu** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:05 pm

Like wildman said in the previos post, no problem to co-exist with the factory stock ram.

jhonyl · #23 Post by **jhonyl** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:00 pm

I also want to know about that KingMax 1GB. Most posts on the forum are positive: "It works grate. My
computer fly" Except this one:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ht=kingmax

Saying that the speed test of that memory shows it runs at 66% of the speed that it should.

Perhaps someone can comment on that? Repeat the test and see if it is the usual case with this ram?
Explain it?

?

Memory Upgrade for 2378FVU :: 1 or 2 Chips?

Memory Upgrade for 2378FVU :: 1 or 2 Chips?

A20M

Ordered cheap memory

Re: Ordered cheap memory

KingMax 1GB Ram

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