Question about memory upgrade

[thinkpac]

The T60 I got off ebay has a single stick of 1 GB RAM. It is a Samsung PC2-5300S. I want to upgrade this to 3 GB, so I will need to add a 2 GB stick. Could there be any issue with using a different sized stick?

I can get a Corsair 2 GB PC2-5300 stick for $20 (seems like a good price). Is it OK to mix brands of memory? Does it matter that the Samsung is PC2-5300S, and the Corsair is PC2-5300? Also the Corsair is CL5, can I assume the Samsung also is CL5, or does it not matter?

Thanks for any advice.

[crazyfrog]

... Could there be any issue with using a different sized stick?...

No problem at all.

..I can get a Corsair 2 GB PC2-5300 stick for $20 (seems like a good price). Is it OK to mix brands of memory?

I've seen no problem using various mixed brands of memory, although some people may claim it is better to use the same brand.

Does it matter that the Samsung is PC2-5300S, and the Corsair is PC2-5300? Also the Corsair is CL5, can I assume the Samsung also is CL5, or does it not matter?

As far as it is a 200-Pin SODIMM notebook memory, it doesn't matter if it is PC2-5300S or PC2-5300, CL5 or CL4. Some people claim CL4 memory is faster, but you will NEVER be able to notice the difference. BTW, mix CL4 and CL5 is not a problem.

[thinkpac]

Hmm, on this page http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-62722, it says:

"PC2-5300 Non-Parity (NP) Double Data Rate Two (DDR2) Technology * The use of 667 MHz SO DIMM memory is recommended for this system."

But it also says:

"Recommended for memory expansion are 2 GB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM 533 MHz SO DIMM or 256 MB, 512 MB, and 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz SO DIMM."

So for a 2 GB module, they recommend PC2-4200 533 MHz, but they don't mention PC2-5300 667 MHz. Was that just an oversight on their part?

[Harryc]

That's a typo. There would be no reason to swap in a slower speed RAM.

[Brad]

Probably because at the time it was written the 2gb PC-5300 DIMMS were not available. I have a T60p that came with a 2gb PC-4200 chip. I was surprised but I mentioned it on the forum and the response was that at the time the 5300 memory was not available or possibly much more expensive.

Brad

[Harryc]

Good point Brad. In fact the OP can use PC2-6400 if he/she chooses to, or is that only in T61's with a Santa Rosa chipset...

[archer6]

In addition to the good advice already given, one must remember that to enjoy the full performance of the Core Duo processor, the memory modules must be of the same speed. If different speeds are used, dual channel operation will be disabled.
.
Cheers...

[thinkpac]

Thanks guys!

Good point Brad. In fact the OP can use PC2-6400 if he/she chooses to, or is that only in T61's with a Santa Rosa chipset...

This thread seems to say even T61s have to use PC2-5300:
http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/mess ... e.id=27224

[thinkpac]

I just spotted this better deal - a 4GB (2x2GB) kit PC2-5300 667Mhz CL4 for $24.99 after rebate, although it says "Mac Memory". As long as the specs are right, I should be able to use it in a T60 as well, right? Or am I missing something?

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-VSA4GSDSK ... 348&sr=1-1

[archer6]

I just spotted this better deal - a 4GB (2x2GB) kit PC2-5300 667Mhz CL4 for $24.99 after rebate, although it says "Mac Memory". As long as the specs are right, I should be able to use it in a T60 as well, right? Or am I missing something?

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-VSA4GSDSK ... 348&sr=1-1

This memory module is nothing more than low latency memory that is being advertised as mac memory. A great strategy from the marketing department. It will work in your ThinkPad just fine.

Cheers...

[hellosailor]

FWIW, I just bought a memory upgrade direct from Crucial. I know, I could have spent $5 less by getting it from someone else, but Crucial answers the phone and guarantees it is the right memory for the computer.

They offer 5300/CL5 and 6400/CL6 memory for the T61P at the same price. In theory, the CL5 is about 18% faster than CL6 but then again the 6400 is also in theory the same amount faster than the 5300, so either one should work about the same. In theory.

Crucial claimed the 6400 would be marginally faster and that's what they sold me. The Vista Experience Index rates the memory exactly the same as the Samsung 5300/CL5 that the computer shipped with. (4.8 IIRC)

On a slight side note...I put in 2x2GB to replace the original 2x1GB, and the system recognizes all 4GB as being present. Whether Windows is actually using it all...or the video system is using a hunk of it...or less than 4GB is really being used, I haven't figured out yet. (Notes elsewhere say PAE can't be implemented on these systems and only 3.5GB can be used. But Vista is recognizing 4GB as present. ?? )

[archer6]

I've always used Crucial memory exclusively. Even years ago when it was quite expensive as compared to other brands. It's a matter of reliability that makes it worthwhile for me. And I'm not saying that other brands aren't but I've never had a failure with Crucial and that is my first priority. Yes, Vista supports 4GB of memory. XP supports 3GB.

Cheers...

[bhtooefr]

Correction.

Vista 32 can detect the presence of 4, and report that it's there. It's still using 3 just like XP 32.

On a T60, 3 is the max, on a T61, XP and Vista 64 see it all, as do Windows Server 2003 and 2008 (either 32 or 64.)

[archer6]

Correction.

Thanks for that, I got in a hurry and it occurred to me after I made the post, then forgot to post back and correct it.

Cheers...