Thinkpads Forum

I just ordered a new T61 and was wondering about a memory upgrade. Mine will have 1GB and I was going to upgrade with an additional 2GB stick of RAM by Crucial. I have heard about bottlenecking due to different stick size and have some questions:

1. Will having a 1GB and 2GB stick (for a total of 3GB) slow the memory performance?

2. Am I better off just using a single 2GB stick of memory instead of the 1 + 2 GB configuration or is more RAM always better?[/list]

More addressable RAM always increases performance versus less RAM. The concern is between matching the RAM modules to be able to get the most out of dual-channel mode. I've seen reports that a dual channel configuration (i.e. two 1 GB modules) will achieve a ~8% performance increase over single channel mode of the same capacity (one 2 GB module). In real world situations this difference is very difficult to detect, although various benchmarks certainly pick it up reliably.

But again, this difference only affects configurations of the same overall addressable memory capacity. More addressable RAM is better than less, regardless of how the modules fall.

FYI both 3GB (1GB+2 GB) and 4GB (2GB+2GB) configurations will run in dual channel mode.

3GB will run in asymmetric DC mode and 4GB will run in symmetric DC mode. The difference in performance between both DC modes is negligible.

Does adding more memory generate more heat.? I am planning to add 2gig to my T61 ( Win xp prof) ? Is any one brand prefered over the other.? Any brands to avoid?

TIA

There shouldn't be any noticable heat increase

I have exactly that configuration (1 GB + 2 GB) in my X61, and it performs fine.