Memory Spec Range for T43?

[EBA420]

Hello everyone!

Great forum! Been trolling long enough so I figured its time to join

Just for my own piece of mind before I place my order... Can I use PC5400 DDR2 in my T43 which currently has PC4200 DDR2 installed? I would be pulling out the 4200 and replacing all with 5400. Most computers wouldnt have an issue with this from my experience, but since I got burned on the whole T43 Hard Drive thing, I figured I better double check

Anyone replace their 4200 with 5400 in their T43?

Thanks in advance!

[sjthinkpader]

Welcome to the forum.

I am using PC2-5300 SODIMM in my T43/T43p now.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-55644

I had not succeeded in using two x 2GB, 16 chips each, DIMMs. They will run with 2GB+1GB or 2GB+512MB combinations. It is better to run MEMTEST86 to make sure the module added are good before general use.

[EBA420]

I had actually found that link previous, and thats what made me question 5300/5400 since it states 4200 in that link. But if you have a T43 and are running 5300/5400 then thats good enough for me

In regards to your config possibilities, now I am left with another question... I thought 2GB was the max for this chipset? Also, if 2GB + 1GB does in fact work, I thought the T43 was capable of utilizing dual channel mem. Wouldn't that force it into single channel mode? EDIT: Just found out I thought wrong. It appears T43 not capable of Dual Channel Mode. So I guess the only part of my question that still stands is, I though 2GB was max?

Thanks!

[sjthinkpader]

2GB is the max for WindowsXP. Windows7 will recognize more than 2GB. I don't know about Vista32.

[EBA420]

Thanks so much for the quick answers! I really appreciate it

[Xenomorph]

2GB is the max for WindowsXP. Windows7 will recognize more than 2GB. I don't know about Vista32.

That's a little misleading.

Why would you think XP was limited to 2 Gigs of RAM? Why would you think Vista and Windows 7 recognized more memory than XP?

Windows XP 32-bit, Vista 32-bit, and Windows 7 32-bit all have a 4 Gig limitation. Also, it's a 32-bit limitation. Not a Windows limitation.

Windows XP 64-bit, Vista 64-bit, and Windows 7 64-bit do not have that limitation.

32-bit Vista SP1 and 32-bit Windows 7 will actually display more memory under Computer Properties than it can work with. That is misleading as well, but Microsoft thought people would get upset if it didn't show their installed RAM.

[EBA420]

That's a little misleading.

Why would you think XP was limited to 2 Gigs of RAM? Why would you think Vista and Windows 7 recognized more memory than XP?

Windows XP 32-bit, Vista 32-bit, and Windows 7 32-bit all have a 4 Gig limitation. Also, it's a 32-bit limitation. Not a Windows limitation.

Windows XP 64-bit, Vista 64-bit, and Windows 7 64-bit do not have that limitation.

32-bit Vista SP1 and 32-bit Windows 7 will actually display more memory under Computer Properties than it can work with. That is misleading as well, but Microsoft thought people would get upset if it didn't show their installed RAM.

So seeing it appears you have a T43 as well, does the BIOS recognize more than 2GB of RAM on that chipset? When I initially started this question, I was under the impression the chipset itself would not support more than 2GB of RAM. Any info?

Also, above I had stated that I had read that the T43 was not dual channel capable, but now I read elsewhere that it is. So now I am questioning that as well. Although I already ordered my ram now, and ordered a 2GB matched pair (1024x2) so if dual channel is supported I am set anyway

[Harryc]

That is on my T43P running 2GB PC2-5300. Download and run CPU-Z yourself to try it. Looks like dual channel to me.

[richk]

DDR2 memory is downward compatible. You can use 4200, 5300, 5400, 6400. They will all work at 4200 speed.

[EBA420]

@Harryc - Thanks! That is definitely confidence inspiring after all the back and forth I have been reading Appreciate the screenshot!

@richk - Thanks! Thats what I figured, but just wanted to make sure I wasn't falling into some sort of anomoly trap

[sjthinkpader]

....

Why would you think XP was limited to 2 Gigs of RAM? Why would you think Vista and Windows 7 recognized more memory than XP?
...

Not really thinking about it. That's what I observed after putting different configuration of modules in my T43 with both XP and Windows7.

[Marin85]

@Xenomorph: I have never seen a laptop being able to use more than 3 GB of system memory with any non-Server 32-bit windows (despite what M$ may say about windows memory support).

[freerange]

I always use the info http://www.crucial.com/ gives with their memory advisor. They answer all the questions like # and type of slots, maximum capacities, max os usable capacity, dual-channel capability, ECC capability,...

They surprised me because they even ask for "model" and "type". Here's the IBM ThinkPad T43 Series (Type 2687) Laptop/Notebook as an example-

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... %202687%29

On a side note, I've made a habbit out of buying my modules from them. They warranty everything without even a proof of purchace or any form of registering your purchace. They warrantied a module I purchaced off ebay with no questions. On top of that, they used 2 day priority shipping at no charge to me, ($22 cost to them!) and included everything to send my module back. I can't say enough good things about them.

[rkawakami]

I always use the info http://www.crucial.com/ gives with their memory advisor. <snip>

However, they are not without errors. Plug in an A31p and it will tell you that 1GB is the max.

[Marin85]

Also, they have problems with the new Lenovo ThinkPads. The memory options for the new ThinkPads line are often recognized wrongly (there have been already a few threads that make this evident). So, I wouldn´t blindly trust such memory advisors.

[croolyc]

Welcome!
This is my first post in this forum
Welcome All

I would like to ask whether it is possible to unlock the limitation of RAM to install 3GB (1 +2)
PS. sorry but my english isn't good