T61 DDR2 667MHz or 800MHz

[MEA707]

Does anyone know if the T61 is capable of running DDR2 800MHz RAM at 800MHz or does it slow it down to 667MHz?

I have a T61 with the T9300 processor and am looking to upgrade the RAM, the prices between 667MHz and 800MHz are the same or very close, so I'm mainly just curious as to what it will actually run at if I install 800MHz RAM.

[RealBlackStuff]

It will take both PC2-5300/DDR2-667 and PC2-6400/DDR2-800.
The PC2-6400 runs a bit cooler and is usually also a bit cheaper.
I never bothered to check at what speed T61-RAM runs.

[axur-delmeria]

It's DDR2-667 max. DDR2-800 RAM will still run at 667 on the Intel 965GM/PM chipset that the T61 uses.

The DDR2-800 RAM running cooler on the T61 sounds reasonable, as it's running slower than its rated speed.

[Cigarguy]

Even if you could run at 800 MHz doubt you notice any difference at all over 667 MHz. I'd look for something reliable in the capacity that I need.

[MEA707]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I currently have two 2GB 667MHz modules and am considering replacing them with two 4GB modules to extend the life of the laptop a few more years, even though they're quite expensive. May not make the most financial sense...

I did decide to make the jump to Linux (specifically Linux Mint) as I did not have much luck with Windows 10 on it, plus I'm not sure how much longer Microsoft will push Windows 10 updates to the T61.

[Cigarguy]

I've been running Mint Cinnamon on a T61, with pretty much the same specs as yours, for about 2 years. Love it. Originally it had 4 GB RAM before I upgraded to 8 GB RAM. I have not noticed any difference with the RAM upgrade. I did it because I got the RAM for cheap and because I can. I don't need/use a lot of computing power on my laptops so YMMV.

[MEA707]

I've been running Mint Cinnamon on a T61, with pretty much the same specs as yours, for about 2 years. Love it. Originally it had 4 GB RAM before I upgraded to 8 GB RAM. I have not noticed any difference with the RAM upgrade. I did it because I got the RAM for cheap and because I can. I don't need/use a lot of computing power on my laptops so YMMV.

Good to meet another T61 Linux Mint user! I just did the install this January due to the Windows 7 End of Life. I found everything worked out of the box very well. I think the only ThinkPad-specific software I added was tp-smapi for power management.

Is there anything else you installed or would recommend to install specific to ThinkPads or the T61? The only function or piece of hardware that I can tell is not working is the Intel Turbo Memory, which was pretty much useless and now that I have an SSD is completely useless.

Regarding the memory, I have 8GB on its way, but sort of wish now I didn't bother after reading more and more how it won't really make a noticeable difference in performance. I've checked memory usage at random times and never got close to 4GB. Oh well, I was bored...

[RealBlackStuff]

Dorronto is looking to buy 2x4GB for a T61: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=130483

[Natakranta]

@MEA707, hello fellow Mint user! That's a vary good choice for first touch with Linux, I hope you enjoy it. I run Mint or Mint with dual boot W10 on all my laptops and NUCs. I like it.
Have you installed tlp from the Software Manager? It is supposed to help a bit with extending battery life and gives good stats about battery with "sudo tlp stat".
Could you post where did you buy that 2x4GB DDR2 and if it works with your T61 when arrives? I will be looking for same upgrade for my T60 Frankenpad I'll be building soon with T61 motherboard.

[MEA707]

Dorronto is looking to buy 2x4GB for a T61: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=130483

Thanks, after I receive the kit I'll install it and then see how I feel about keeping it.

@MEA707, hello fellow Mint user! That's a vary good choice for first touch with Linux, I hope you enjoy it. I run Mint or Mint with dual boot W10 on all my laptops and NUCs. I like it.
Have you installed tlp from the Software Manager? It is supposed to help a bit with extending battery life and gives good stats about battery with "sudo tlp stat".
Could you post where did you buy that 2x4GB DDR2 and if it works with your T61 when arrives? I will be looking for same upgrade for my T60 Frankenpad I'll be building soon with T61 motherboard.

Ah yes I forgot about TLP! Yes I installed it along with TLPUI for the GUI interface. The battery in my T61 is shot, only has 49% of its original capacity.

I bought from this eBay listing but it looks like the seller ran out:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254276389256

Surprised at how much of a hot commodity 4GB DDR2 still is.

[RealBlackStuff]

I wonder how many of those (Chinese) eBay modules are real and not fakes.
They all seem to use the same pictures and many Chinamen sell under various different names as well.

[Natakranta]

Yes it's gambling, but at least with PayPal protection it's safer than casino
It just takes time to deliver, time to get refund, time for next order to arrive, and so on.
It's game for those who have time.

[MEA707]

Counterfeit is definitely a concern...

Luckily this seller has many reviews the vast majority positive and offers free return shipping, otherwise I would have been much more hesitant to buy it. I'm not too concerned about the photos all being similar as they're probably all using stock photos from the manufacturer.

I'll inspect the memory and run it through Memtest86.

I'd like to think that counterfeiters wouldn't be after DDR2 anymore, instead going after DDR3/DDR4, but who knows.

I'll keep everyone posted here once I get it.

[MEA707]

Update on the RAM, I received it yesterday after 24 days in transit. I installed it in my T61 and it worked just fine, and ran Memtest86+ for 1 full hour and no errors shown.

However, it is not genuine. I was suspicious from the generic packaging and the part number on the sticker, does not match 4GB DDR2 800MHz SODIMM from Crucial, but instead is a part number for 2B DDR2 800MHz RAM for Mac computers. You can find other listings on eBay with this same exact part number, but for 2GB modules, so clearly there is some mass printing of fake labels and putting them on generic RAM modules.

On the somewhat positive note, the chips on the modules are Hynix supposedly, which are good quality, however Crucial RAM should have Micron chips, although I do believe sometimes manufacturers will source chips from other companies, even competitors, to address shortages, so I do believe there is genuine Crucial RAM out there with Hynix chips.

These are not genuine however, even though they MAY be of high quality, I don't know.

Regardless, I am going to return them. I don't like being cheated. Hopefully the seller cooperates, otherwise I will file a claim with eBay themselves.

[kfzhu1229]

Update on the RAM, I received it yesterday after 24 days in transit. I installed it in my T61 and it worked just fine, and ran Memtest86+ for 1 full hour and no errors shown.

However, it is not genuine. I was suspicious from the generic packaging and the part number on the sticker, does not match 4GB DDR2 800MHz SODIMM from Crucial, but instead is a part number for 2B DDR2 800MHz RAM for Mac computers. You can find other listings on eBay with this same exact part number, but for 2GB modules, so clearly there is some mass printing of fake labels and putting them on generic RAM modules.

On the somewhat positive note, the chips on the modules are Hynix supposedly, which are good quality, however Crucial RAM should have Micron chips, although I do believe sometimes manufacturers will source chips from other companies, even competitors, to address shortages, so I do believe there is genuine Crucial RAM out there with Hynix chips.

These are not genuine however, even though they MAY be of high quality, I don't know.

Regardless, I am going to return them. I don't like being cheated. Hopefully the seller cooperates, otherwise I will file a claim with eBay themselves.

I also have a pair of "crucial" 1G DDR PC2700 sticks that also have micron chips and CPUZ reveals one of them is a Hynix stick and the other is Adata using Hynix chips. I know they are fake because it has a datecode in 2016, which is just impossible for DDR sticks.
My theory is that they do this in order to sell it as pairs and as a better brand.
Go to CPUZ and see what it says there.
I think it is not worth for you to return and refund as getting the real deals can be EXTREMELY expensive for 4G DDR2 sticks and costs twice the price as 4G DDR3 sticks. Just try asking for a partial refund for false advertising
I have those fake DDR sticks in a Latitude C840 and I don't see any problems with it.

[cadillacmike68]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I currently have two 2GB 667MHz modules and am considering replacing them with two 4GB modules to extend the life of the laptop a few more years, even though they're quite expensive. May not make the most financial sense...

I did decide to make the jump to Linux (specifically Linux Mint) as I did not have much luck with Windows 10 on it, plus I'm not sure how much longer Microsoft will push Windows 10 updates to the T61.

Do it. I did on three T61s some time ago and just ordered four more 4GB modules for two more t61s. It cuts down on paging to & from disk. You can find them on ebay. The lowest I saw for a pair was about $80-90 for two 4GB modules, maybe less. Can't remember the exact price.

[kfzhu1229]

Do it. I did on three T61s some time ago and just ordered four more 4GB modules for two more t61s. It cuts down on paging to & from disk. You can find them on ebay. The lowest I saw for a pair was about $80-90 for two 4GB modules, maybe less. Can't remember the exact price.

I wouldn't even pay C$80-90 for two 4GB modules. After a month of hunting both locally and on eBay I got a pair for C$70. At US$80-90 you can already find a ThinkPad T500 if you look close enough. And also keep in mind these will run at 667Mhz on T61 and from time to time the slower speed will show signs of bottleneck.

[atagunov]

I was under impression though that if

- the motherboard is modified to accommodate a 1066FSB processor
- such processor is fitted
- it's an nVidia system
- memory is correctly SPD re-programmed

the memory will get overclocked reaching possibly even a little beyond 800Mhz?

That remains my Frankepad plan Though I'm not at all sure what % the cpu score will change. Not much probably?..
If I remember those topics correctly Crucial isn't particularly amenable to reprogramming. Of course you end up with a machine that costs lots more than more modern hardware..

[theterminator93]

Correct. I checked the memory on my T601F and it is running at about 889 MHz, if memory serves.