Thinkpads Forum

I just bought a pair of 1gb x 2 of dual channel ram and was wondering whether it would be better performance wise to install these two and leave out the IBM 1gb stick or install all 3gb. I use the t60 for gaming and word processing primarily.

You're better off with the 3GB of mismatched memory.

There are three modes supported by your 945PM chipset:

1. Single Channel (single memory module)
2. Dual-channel asymmetric (two mismatched memory modules)
3. Dual-channel symmetric (two matching memory modules)

If you put a 1GB and a 2GB module, you'll be running in dual-channel asymettric mode, which is every-so-slightly better performing than single channel. However, even dual-channel symmetric doesn't make that big of a difference, because it's benefit is minimzed by the performance of the CPU's cache controller, which does an excellent job on its own.

The benefit of 3GB of extra RAM will outweigh the benefit of either dual-channel mode. How much depends on how you use your computer and which applications you run.

For more information, http://download.intel.com/design/mobile ... 921903.pdf see page 337

There is no visible, apparent advantage os 3 GB of RAM over 2 GB with windows XP pro, for any application as far as I was able to observe on my friend's T60. That said, if I were you, I'd go for 3 GB since more RAM is always good : At these humongous memory sizes, dual channel makes NO diference at all, imho.

Hi

Sry. it is nit possible for him to use 3Gig,
he sais he has three 1Gig Modules and the T60 has
only two ram slots.

cu

killigrew wrote:Hi

Sry. it is nit possible for him to use 3Gig,
he sais he has three 1Gig Modules and the T60 has
only two ram slots.

cu

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Ron and gator must have been boozing it tonight to have missed that.

this is why I should not reply to posts while doing work - I apologise to the OP.

killigrew, thanks for pointing out.

Aww, okay thanks guys, I guess I'll sell this and break somewhat even.