Thinkpads Forum

Hey all!

I need to know what to do if I want to have 16GB of ram on my T420s? What modules do I need at what speeds by what brand? Do I have to use proprietary ram? And finally, do I need a bios update/revision? Thank you for any and all of the help you can give me!

You can have up to 2x8GB=16GB of RAM in there, either DDR3-1333/PC3-10660 or DDR3-1600/PC3-12800 will do.
Get Samsung, Hynix, Elpida, Kingston, Crucial etc. (but NOT any so-called Value-RAM).

Nothing else needed, but make sure the laptop is off and main-battery removed, before you swap them.

Hi, I upgraded my T420s with 16GB RAM, with a kit from Kingston (KVR13S9K2/16). It is in their ValueRam category (but bought it before reading your post). It was properly detected by the laptop and seemed to work fine for a while, but then it started getting random crashes. After some testing with memtest86, I got a lot of failures. I switched back to the old 8GB set I had kept, and no problem. So the Kingston RAM is definitely bad.

I wonder what makes the ValueRAM series from Kingston inferior, knowing that Kingston RAM is otherwise pretty good. Do they use memory chips from inferior manufacturers? Or chips that are not tested as thoroughly?

Anyway, do you think the G.Skill F3-10666CL9D-16GBSQ would work fine? Is G.Skill a good brand?

Thanks!

G.Skill uses memory chips from different manufacturers.
They DO test them properly first, so no objections against G.Skill (I have G.Skill RAM in my Desktop).

The ValueRam is only minimally tested, they are 2nd choice leftovers.

G Skill is okay. I have bought and used a lot of G Skill and never had a problem.

Geil and PNY are the only name-brand company I have had repeated bad experiences with. PNY seems to be gaining popularity again so maybe they stepped their game up.

Posted from my 420 with 2x 8GB!

I have Kingston HyperX Impact Black 16 Gt KIT (2 x 8 Gt) 1866 MHz DDR3L-SODIMM CL11 on my T420. This together with modified bios and SSD is a nice combination. However, I don't know if there is similar bios for the s-model that can use the memory with full speed.

Pricing for DDR3 ram has dropped to the point where there is really no reason to settle for off-brand parts.
If you search for "Crucial 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory"
on ebay you'll see a listing from Newegg which is pretty reasonable, at least compared to what it used to cost.

I've been testing a pair of these in various machines (T420, T420s) for about a week and they seem
to be pretty solid.

I've also used Kingston and Patriot in the past, and have never had any problems with them,
but I have had some off-brand parts fail.

Hi again,

I received and tested the G.Skill F3-10666CL9D-16GBSQ and it seems fine. No error with memtest. The RAM sticks have Hynix chips on them.

(For the record, I had tried DDR3L RAM before and it wasn't even recognized at POST, so I don't know if DDR3L is fully supported on the T420s, or if it was just bad luck...)

I'm not having a problem with mine, but the T420s BIOS is so buggy that
it would not surprise me. Booting from USB seems to be a real challenge with
these machines.

Tx20 and Tx30 non s and s cannot use DDR3L. Use DDR3 with 2Rx8 (16 chips per module) and brand names/major makers in order to have successful 16GB operation. I'm really tired of people here not aware these notebooks have not went on to newer DDR3L yet till T4x0 series.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

Not according to this thread:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id- ... -slot.html

but there are apparently a lot of substandard DDR3 sticks out there.

More here:

http://superuser.com/questions/564175/1 ... -overclock

Both my T420s and T430 work with aCrucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 module, combined with a 4GB DDR3-1600 1.5v module, no problems so far.

bit_twiddler wrote:Booting from USB seems to be a real challenge with
these machines.

Indeed!

There is a technique described in this thread:

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T ... 397/page/2

but I haven't had time to try it yet.

Crucial seconded. CT8G3S1339M.M16FDD

thinkpadcollection wrote:Tx20 and Tx30 non s and s cannot use DDR3L. Use DDR3 with 2Rx8 (16 chips per module) and brand names/major makers in order to have successful 16GB operation. I'm really tired of people here not aware these notebooks have not went on to newer DDR3L yet till T4x0 series.

It's the memories which are backwards compatible. For example Kingston HyperX HX318LS11IBK2/16 is a kit of two 1G x 64-bit (8GB) is DDR3L-1866 CL11 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 2Rx8, low voltage, memory modules, based on sixteen 512M x 8-bit DDR3 FBGA components per module. Total kit capacity is 16GB. Each module kit has been tested to run at DDR3L-1866 at a low latency timing of 11-11-11 at 1.35V or 1.5V.

So these run with 1.5V if mb cannot provide lower voltage.
EDIT: As above told I have these and running these with help of modified bios at full speed (1866).

Hello,

When I choose RAM for my machines, I try to buy certified modules. I plan to buy Kingston modules for which Kingston certifies the compatibility with the T420s. The reference is KCP313SD8/8 (you can use two of those to have 16 Gb in your Thinkpad).
You'll find plenty of infos on Kingston's site if you search memory modules : http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/options

Have a good day !

W.

EDIT : On this type of machine, I prefer to use 1.5V memory modules with 1333 Mhz frequency. It seems that some modules at 1.35V with a frequency of 1600 MHz are compatible. I have a friend who uses some G.Skill F3-1600C11D-8GSL ( http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-1600c11d-8gsl ). Everything works fine, according to him.

RistoE wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:30 pm

I have Kingston HyperX Impact Black 16 Gt KIT (2 x 8 Gt) 1866 MHz DDR3L-SODIMM CL11 on my T420. This together with modified bios and SSD is a nice combination. However, I don't know if there is similar bios for the s-model that can use the memory with full speed.

someone noted in another thread that using 1.35v (and not 1.5v) sodims in t420 causes overheating - do you agree?
i have used 12800 1.35v and did not notice anything

What modification did you do to bios for ram to run higher than 1333? is it causing any heating?

I do not believe it is possible for the RAM to overheat in that way. There would be laptops on fire all over the world if this was the case. Someone was probably spreading misinformation and it should be disposed of as suppository.

The 1.35v rams support 1.35v as addendum to standard 1.5v. This is intended to market marginal power savings so you buy the T430 that lasts 15 minutes longer in bed on battery than T420.

Use any RAM that fits.

TPFanatic wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 7:14 am

I do not believe it is possible for the RAM to overheat in that way. There would be laptops on fire all over the world if this was the case. Someone was probably spreading misinformation and it should be disposed of as suppository.

Years ago, I read a blog post about an X220 getting occasional BSODs which the owner suspects is due to the DDR3L sticks running at 1.5V (causing them to run hotter than normal). He actually modified his X220's system board to lower the RAM voltage to 1.45V, after which the BSODs stopped occurring. Too bad I can't find it anymore.

Wild if true! But I am not convinced as I am of the understanding that DDR3L is just DDR3 capable of functioning effectively as DDR3L or DDR3.

I am also not surprised if silicone valley figured out a way to sell rejects of DDR3 as DDR3L, by undervolting them to function as DDR3L without the advertised and intended DDR3-compatability. Actually yea this is probably it yea Case Closed.

Id think buying 1.5v RAM is easier than modifying a BIOS but it worked so I have no judgement. Good on that blogger for thinking outside the box. Live and let live.

I have a T520, so don't know if that is different when it comes to RAM. I took a chance based on multiple positive reviews and bought what is no doubt not the best RAM out there However, I can always return to Amazon after first install and testing.

What is interesting/confusing based on what I read in this thread, is that these say they are both DDR3 and DDR3L and 1.5V or 1.35V.

Timetec 16GB KIT(2x8GB) DDR3 / DDR3L 1333MHz PC3-10600 Non-ECC Unbuffered 1.5V / 1.35V CL9 2Rx8 Dual Rank 204 Pin SODIMM Laptop Notebook PC Computer Memory RAM Module Upgrade(16GB KIT(2x8GB))

Best of luck to you. A basic "Memtest" bootable utility, or even a software based memtest such as "Prime 95", may help to stress test that your RAM is in good working order.

If you encounter problems, dispute resolution includes Amazon customer support, the Seller's customer support*, your Bank**, your payment method***, or buying better brand RAM****...

*if they exist

**if they're not one of those scummy online banks

***Id

****I'll be shaking and praying if there is no scenario where the price of end-user PC RAM is not greater than a filing fee.

TPFanatic wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:26 pm

Best of luck to you. A basic "Memtest" bootable utility, or even a software based memtest such as "Prime 95", may help to stress test that your RAM is in good working order.

If you encounter problems, dispute resolution includes Amazon customer support, the Seller's customer support*, your Bank**, your payment method***, or buying better brand RAM****...

I think Lenovo Solutions includes a memtest. Windows 11 has it's own memory diagnostic app. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface ... diagnostic. And other stand-alone memtesters.

I don't think I would have any problem if I wanted to return. Can be returned for any reason in first 31 days. Also says: "Guaranteed Lifetime warranty from Purchase Date and Free technical support" At C$27, I am not worried:)

freeagent wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 3:42 pm

TPFanatic wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:26 pm

Best of luck to you. A basic "Memtest" bootable utility, or even a software based memtest such as "Prime 95", may help to stress test that your RAM is in good working order.

I think Lenovo Solutions includes a memtest. Windows 11 has it's own memory diagnostic app. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface ... diagnostic. And other stand-alone memtesters.

Neither the Lenovo Solutions nor the W11 memory diagnostics would run on my T520. I forget the exact reason, but it had something to do with idiagio.sys. Others had had same problem with various Lenovos.

I downloaded and made a USB thumb drive to run Memtest86. I first ran this on my original 2x4Gb RAM. Then when the 2x8Gb RAM arrived, I installed it and ran the app again. It boots directs from BIOS, so does not care what operating software is installed. Anyway, it gave my new low cost Timetec a clean bill of health. I will keep the old RAM as backup!

I had wondered if I would need to update BIOS from ver 1.32 to v1.49 on 'new' MB, for the 16Gb to run, but it seems not. I am still a bit gun-shy (after whitelisting removal attempt) about updating the BIOS!

well done!

memtest 86 (and its counterpart memtest 86+) are some of the best PC tools for DIY / home. my boot of memtest 86+ also reads CPU temp, it's really handy for basic input and output solutions!