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X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:29 am
by cwharton2
I have recently purchased a refurbished X61, as seen here,

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/ibm-x61 ... st17525813

X61 7674 GS3

with a 4GB RAM setup. I was wondering as I've heard reports elsewhere, that an 8GB setup is possible, whether this product would be compatible with my X61,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007 ... UTF8&psc=1

Any advice is welcome. I have the parts ordered but they are not currently in stock so I can cancel at any time if they are not suitable.

Re: X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:35 am
by Tasurinchi
Welcome to the Forum!

The RAM you linked won't work. That's DDR3 RAM and the X61 uses DDR2. The X61 will support 8GB, but unless you find a killer deal it will be really expensive to buy.

Re: X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:39 am
by cwharton2
Tasurinchi wrote:Welcome to the Forum!

The RAM you linked won't work. That's DDR3 RAM and the X61 uses DDR2. The X61 will support 8GB, but unless you find a killer deal it will be really expensive to buy.
Thanks so much for your reply. DDR3 is not backwards compatible with DDR2 then I presume?
Also, the move to Middleton BIOS wouldn't make any difference to the compatibility issue would it?
Thanks again.

Re: X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:56 am
by ajkula66
DDR3 is physically incompatible with DDR2.

That being said, 4GB is more than enough for daily use unless you're running VMs or doing serious number crunching.

Middleton's BIOS is highly recommended in any set of circumstances.

Re: X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:00 pm
by cwharton2
ajkula66 wrote:DDR3 is physically incompatible with DDR2.

That being said, 4GB is more than enough for daily use unless you're running VMs or doing serious number crunching.

Middleton's BIOS is highly recommended in any set of circumstances.
Thanks, I have heard only good things about the Middleton BIOS.
I know I'm going off topic now but do you know whether I can run my current 64-bit setup of Vista on the Middleton BIOS, only I read somewhere that that particular BIOS is 32-bit only...?

Re: X61 RAM configuration question

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:05 pm
by ajkula66
BIOS has nothing to do with the 32 vs. 64-bit OS.

I've used Middleton's BIOS on plethora of T61 and X61T builds regardless of OS.