X200/X200s RAM compatibility

[g1tigi]

I just ran into a problem with some 2x2gb DDR3 sticks of g.skill RAM ordered from newegg that were incompatible with my X200s--so just fyi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231213

I talked to g.skill support and they were just as confused as I was as to why the RAM didn't work; another reviewer on the Egg had the same exact problem with an X200. They said they'll try to get a hold of an X200/s to do some testing, but couldn't offer anything more than an apology and a comment along the lines of 'DDR3 RAM is very complicated' when I pointed out some difference (that I don't understand) between the hynix modules shipped with the machine, and the nanya modules the g.skill RAM uses (hynix are 96ball for the x16 but the nanya are 84ball).

Either way, the Egg was nice and let me return the g.skill's (although with a 15% restocking fee), so I went ahead and bought the crucials: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820148191. Hopefully these will work when they arrive tom'w. *fingers crossed*

For those who have successfully upgraded to 2x2GB on an X200/X200s, what RAM did you purchase?

[shfawaz]

Usually NewEgg would return without a restock fee if there is a compatibility issue, especially if you re-order an alternate compatible module. I know its probably not much. Be sure to post your experience with the Crucial RAM. I've ordered them myself!

[g1tigi]

Yeah I was hoping newegg would waive the restocking fee and return shipping...but I guess my rep wasn't feeling up to it :/ She said she'd only waive it if the unit was defective; either way, I thought it was good enough that I was able to return it, esp given the fact that technically memory is on the non-refundable return policy.

Anyway...the crucials came in today...I'll test them when I get home tonight and hopefully they'll work because running a 64-bit OS with 1gig of ram on Vista is really killer!

[g1tigi]

Wow what a relief! 4gigs work flawlessly (well..at least for the whole 5 minutes I've had them in...)

performance of the machine is finally what I expected.

edit: throwing these crucial badboys in makes my WEI for memory jump from 4.5 to 5.5 (which makes my desktop feel uneasy as its memory score is 5.6)

[aau007]

Keep in mind that the x200/s memory requires the CAS to be CL5. I have seen many memory incompatibilities, mostly due to CAS latency in DDR3.

[Marin85]

Keep in mind that the x200/s memory requires the CAS to be CL5. I have seen many memory incompatibilities, mostly due to CAS latency in DDR3.

I thought it actually requires CL7

[aau007]

I thought it actually requires CL7

Check this out.
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... A1A8CE1F31

[Marin85]

Check this out.
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... A1A8CE1F31

Thanks! I must have seen something else then...

Marin

[Marin85]

I found where I had seen the CL7 RAM for Montevina, check here. It´s in German, but it´s clear that they offer it with PC8500 CL7. I believe they offer all Montevina-based ThinkPads with this type of RAM (Disclaimer: I´m in no way connected to this online shop.)

Marin

[g1tigi]

Keep in mind that the x200/s memory requires the CAS to be CL5. I have seen many memory incompatibilities, mostly due to CAS latency in DDR3.

I'm not sure if CAS latency is really an issue, though. Per the manufacturer spec sheets, both the hynix (shipped with the thinkpad) and the nanya (in the g.skill RAM) modules are capable of supporting CAS latencies of at least 5,6,7,8 (9,10 as well for the hynix).

G.skill just posted this response to my review on the Egg:

"we apologize this inconvenience. We had changed the chips and makes it more compatbile with most DDR3 laptop. Please contact our RMA Dept for warranty replacement."