Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I noticed some X60s have 1.5GB of DDR2 ram going on. Isn't it better to match the ram modules (ex: 1GB + 1GB or 512MB + 512MB)? Or is the mismatched combo somehow better, such as forcing non-dual memory mode for less heat/power? (I don't really know what I'm talking about). Any insights? Thanks..

-D

Performance is theoretically lower but I doubt you would notice it in practice. What you do notice is that 1.5 GB is less expensive than 2.0GB.

With the newer intel chipsets dual channel works with different sized memory modules too.
No need to throw away the 512MB that came with your notebook!

I have the 512+1024 setup, and the performance is fine. The performance you would get with dual channel is relatively negligable. I do, however, want to upgrade to 1GB+2GB setup once the 2GB DIMMs come down out of the clouds.

RUSH2112 wrote:once the 2GB DIMMs come down out of the clouds.

How much are you willing to pay? This person in Providence is selling a 2GB PC2-5300 notebook module for $450 on Craigslist. You might be able to get him/her to lower the price.

pianowizard wrote:How much are you willing to pay? This person in Providence is selling a 2GB PC2-5300 notebook module for $450 on Craigslist. You might be able to get him/her to lower the price.

Nah, I'm gonna wait until theyre under $200. I am fine with 1.5GB for the time being. I have bigger priorities anyway, including a 300GB Hard Drive when they come out next month and some camera equipment I've been meaning to buy.

RUSH2112 wrote:Nah, I'm gonna wait until theyre under $200.

That shouldn't take too long. Right now, they're so expensive because they're so new. For example I think Kingston introduced the 2GB PC2-5300 SODIMM only one or two months ago. The prices will exponentially decay until they are about twice the price of 1GB modules.

pianowizard wrote:

RUSH2112 wrote:Nah, I'm gonna wait until theyre under $200.

That shouldn't take too long. Right now, they're so expensive because they're so new. For example I think Kingston introduced the 2GB PC2-5300 SODIMM only one or two months ago. The prices will exponentially decay until they are about twice the price of 1GB modules.

And unfortunately, by the time they "decay" to that point, one will need 6 gb for a basic system running the MS bloatware de jour.

Ken Fox wrote:And unfortunately, by the time they "decay" to that point, one will need 6 gb for a basic system running the MS bloatware de jour.

Of course, no one is forced to run the current Microsoft software. You, like others on these forums, can freely run Windows XP, Windows 2000 -- or Linux or FreeBSD.

It's still a free world ...

tomh009 wrote:

Ken Fox wrote:And unfortunately, by the time they "decay" to that point, one will need 6 gb for a basic system running the MS bloatware de jour.

Of course, no one is forced to run the current Microsoft software. You, like others on these forums, can freely run Windows XP, Windows 2000 -- or Linux or FreeBSD.

It's still a free world ...

Fortunately, the X60/s won't ever need to worry about that memory requirement with its 3.2GB ceiling on RAM.

smvp6459 wrote:Fortunately, the X60/s won't ever need to worry about that memory requirement with its 3.2GB ceiling on RAM.

Right, so when 6GB indeed becomes the minimum requirement, just get rid of your X60/s!

Anyway, someone (was it Brent?) predicted there will be a BIOS upgrade that'll enable the current Thinkpads to see more than 3.2GB, similar to what happened to the TP600E (a BIOS upgrade permitted it to recognize 256MB sticks). Let's see whether that turns out to be the case.

pianowizard wrote: Anyway, someone (was it Brent?) predicted there will be a BIOS upgrade that'll enable the current Thinkpads to see more than 3.2GB, similar to what happened to the TP600E (a BIOS upgrade permitted it to recognize 256MB sticks). Let's see whether that turns out to be the case.

The Macbooks don't have a BIOS, and they still can't see more than 3.2GB; I'm not sure what a BIOS can do about a chipset problem.

dclee012 wrote:Hi,

I noticed some X60s have 1.5GB of DDR2 ram going on. Isn't it better to match the ram modules (ex: 1GB + 1GB or 512MB + 512MB)? Or is the mismatched combo somehow better, such as forcing non-dual memory mode for less heat/power? (I don't really know what I'm talking about). Any insights? Thanks..

-D

1.5GB is ok .

two 512 can make daul channel .the rest 512 of 1 G is appedated.