Memory for a T43.

[MnR]

Hi,

I was looking at the parts listings for a T43 and it shows that a 2gb memory stick is available. But in the specs it says that only 1gb sticks can be used.

Has anybody ever tried to use a 2gb stick in a T43?

MnR

[rkawakami]

There are some threads around here which talk about this issue:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=75284
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77378
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=78682

In quickly looking through them, it looks like the system will accept a single 2GB module but will be limited to 1GB in the other slot.

[americo24]

I have a thinkpad t43 and I am using a 2gb pc5300 (I think) memory stick, it works well with the system and if you need to know anything about my system I am using an Ibm t43 2668 2.0ghz singlecore

[ajkula66]

All I'm going to say is that 2GB sticks work in some T43/p units and not in the others. Why, no clue.

You're better off running 2x1GB and enabling dual-channel mode that way. The chipset limitation on these machines is 2GB anyway, although BIOS might recognize more than that, but you won't be able to utilize the "extra" RAM.

[IraSeigel]

...and enabling dual-channel mode that way. ....

How is this done? Is there a BIOS setting in the 43p that allows this? Or somewhere else?

Thanks,
Ira

[RealBlackStuff]

Dual Channel mode is achieved by putting in 2 identical RAM modules (same speed and MB/GB-size).
No other settings required.

[IraSeigel]

Dual Channel mode is achieved by putting in 2 identical RAM modules (same speed and MB/GB-size).
No other settings required.

Thanks very much.

Is there an inherent advantage to Dual-Channel Mode? If so, why don't they tell you this when they recommend upgrading a 512MB unit with an additional 1GB module? If you do that, you're not getting any advantages of the Dual-Channel. Correct?

[RealBlackStuff]

modules got to be the same.
http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Memory/Dual-Channel/

[ajkula66]

What is important is that both slots are populated.

Symmetric mode is when the modules are of the same size (2x512MB or 2x1GB)

Asymmetric is when they're not (1x512+1x1GB).

It's humanly impossible to tell the difference in performance between the two modes, although it can be seen by machines.

Hope this helps.

[IraSeigel]

...It's humanly impossible to tell the difference in performance between the two modes, although it can be seen by machines.....

Thanks for this info. Very helpful.
Regards,
Ira

[MnR]

Hi,

I was wondering if it was possible to use a 2gb stick and a 1gb stick. Well I know now... Thanks for the info. I am still learning the ins and outs of the IBM/Lenovo laptops..

I have two T series nad looking to get another. Maybe an R60 or 61.

Thanks again,

Rudy (MnR)