Thinkpads Forum

I'd like to know if anyone here has done this, or used a 1x16gb DDR3 SODIMM module in a T520. I believe some 2nd-generation i7 CPU's will support up to 32gb, per Intel specifications. I've looked near and far on Google as to whether anybody has used one, or attempted to go over 16gb, but I could not find one. Recently, 1x16gb DDR3 modules have gone down really low enough in price to justify getting one.

I simulate network topologies in GNS3 as well as run several VM sessions, and I don't find it hard to max out my RAM allotment. Currently, I have 2x8gb modules installed in my T520, as well as an i7-2670qm which theoretically supports a maximum of 32gb RAM.

AFAIK there is another, similar post down the Classics/Tx20 section but these have the assumption that the owner has an i5 or non-quad core i7 unit (especially the T420 and X series).

Welcome to the forum!

My understanding is that the chipset in T520 will not allow more than 8GB per DIMM, rendering the machine non-bootable even with a single 16GB stick installed.

I'd love to be proven wrong on this one, but doubt that I will be.

i've tried installing a 16 GiB DDR3 SO-DIMM module in a HP EliteBook 8760w ages ago, more specifically a MT16KTF2G64HZ-1GA1. it didn't work, as i had expected...

nearly all of them will support 32 GiB of RAM as far as i am concerned, as they're mostly based off the client/consumer Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. thing is, the motherboard's SO-DIMM or DIMM slots will limit the amount of RAM that you can install. so 32 GiB is just a very wide 'guess' that assumes most motherboards will have 4 SO-DIMM or DIMM slots to actually hit the limit.

if that's so, why don't you buy a W520 motherboard with 4 SO-DIMM slots? that'll give you the chance to get 32 GiB of RAM, well, as in a 4 x 8 GiB arrangement.

ThreeIguanasPerSecond wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:21 pm

if that's so, why don't you buy a W520 motherboard with 4 SO-DIMM slots? that'll give you the chance to get 32 GiB of RAM, well, as in a 4 x 8 GiB arrangement.

Aside from the W520 board itself, OP will also need the W520 heatsink.

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:55 pm

Aside from the W520 board itself, OP will also need the W520 heatsink.

Wouldn't one also need a W520 or a W530 structure frame?

atagunov wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:44 am

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:55 pm

Aside from the W520 board itself, OP will also need the W520 heatsink.

Wouldn't one also need a W520 or a W530 structure frame?

I believe the heatsink screws into a plate on the other side of the motherboard. So make sure that plate is not missing from a donor W board.

Seems like somebody pulled a fast one on me a few months back.. I have been convinced since that T520 -> W530 upgrade requires a structure frame replacement. Now it seems that I would just need a new mobo/cpu/that plate on the other side of the mobo.