Thinkpads Forum

given how cheap RAM is now, I figured I'd just max out my system and bump it to 4 GBs (yes I realize only 3 will be usable); but I'm wondering what brands people recommend (I'm willing to pay a bit extra for quality)... I'm thinking Crucial? (2 GB DIMMs are now $22.99!!!) what's considered the highest quality brand?

I believe Kingston, Crucial, Corsair are all good brands for what you are looking for

Cheers

Marin

You can't go wrong with any of these 3, but I would go with Crucial.

Somewhat related question (maybe).

The max that can be recognized is 3GB. However, if one installs 2x2GB modules, will they run in dual-channel mode?

bmwman91 wrote:However, if one installs 2x2GB modules, will they run in dual-channel mode?

As the (currently) last post in the sticky RAM thread says, yes, they will run in dual-channel mode.

bmwman91 wrote:Somewhat related question (maybe).
The max that can be recognized is 3GB. However, if one installs 2x2GB modules, will they run in dual-channel mode?

The answer is 'yes'.

Even 2GB+1GB will run in an asymmetric dual-channel mode. But 2x2GB will give extra performance improvement, thanks to symmetric dual-channel mode.

BTW, I am using two Micron modules. Very good!

I also have a slight off-topic question.

If one were to put 4 GB into a T60 like the one in my sig (Vista 32 bit), what would be the limit exactly? Is it exactly 3 GB as in 3145728 KB (3*1024*1024)? Or something closer to 3,2 GB? What would be the value displayed as total physical memory in Windows task manager? Does having 64 bit matter in any way in such case?

yak wrote: If one were to put 4 GB into a T60 like the one in my sig (Vista 32 bit), what would be the limit exactly? Is it exactly 3 GB as in 3145728 KB (3*1024*1024)? Or something closer to 3,2 GB? What would be the value displayed as total physical memory in Windows task manager? Does having 64 bit matter in any way in such case?

The 3GB limit of T60/p comes from the the address space used by the hardware system to access the memory. So I guess 2x2GB, 1x4GB and 2x4GB make no differnce to the OS, even a 64-bit OS.

The total physical memory shown in my task manager (64-bit Vista) is 3069MB.

My T60 uses an Intel GPU. If I were to swap out the 1GB stick for a 2GB thus giving me 4GB would I be able to use, say 3.5GB since the system doesn't have to any addressing for VRAM like it would with a traditional GPU?

I might to the upgrade anyway just for few extra bits of performance and to run in dual channel, but being able to use a few extra hundred MB of RAM would be really cool also.

Temetka wrote: I might to the upgrade anyway just for few extra bits of performance and to run in dual channel, but being able to use a few extra hundred MB of RAM would be really cool also.

...especially as you have Vista installed on your T60

But fact is RAM is never enough for Vista... whereas as for the dual channel mode, most folks on this forum (including me) don´t seem to recognize any real-life performance difference between no dual channel and (symmetrical or asymmetrical) dual channel... BTW, what OS are you running on your T60p (or intend to run...)?

Actually, I need to update my sig.

I am currently rolling with Windows 7 Beta 1 and XP Pro SP3.

BTW - I do find 7 to be quicker than XP.