Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,

Currently I have 1GB x 2 PC8500 RAM available on my T400 (running Vista Business 32-bit). Now when launching the system, half of the total RAM is occupied. I often need to run photo processing applications like Capture NX2 or Photoshop CS4.

Don't know if I can get further performance boosted by upgrading the RAM to 2GB x 2. Any experience?

Best Regards
xx86

You will certainly get some. You won't be able to address the full 4gb with a 32-bit OS, but you will certainly see some improvement

More memory variables are explained HERE.

With 32-bit on a T400 and integrated graphics, you get 2.9GB available. With switchable, only 2.46GB.

The fact that you're running Vista doesn't help much either.

32-bit can only see 3gb of ram and upgrading from 2gb to 3 will have an effect on memory-intensive workloads, however having a matched pair (2gb + 2gb) will improve performance a little bit, especially with an intergrated graphics card (which does not apply to you, since you have discreet graphics) because of dual channel memory. Even though you are using half your memory on boot, that is just cached, and windows will work to keep that amount open as much as possible - if you open more programs, it will clear some cache to maintain a constant amount, to a point, then it starts using the rest of the memory. Vista Bashing aside, I have experienced the exact same performance on my T61 with vista, then again when I upgraded to 7 - it does cache files and programs to RAM, and that does help performance. Unless you are running several virtual pcs and need all the ram free, leave the caching enabled.

In terms of overall performance, I would reccomend upgrading to 64-bit (vista is fine), and loading up with 4gb of ram, which should be enough for almost anything.

YMMV, but this has been my experience on my T61 with several operating systems and through several ram upgrades.

Thanks all for the info! Well, I don't want to change the OS (bit lazy to re-setup my existing customized OS and apps). Looks like adding a slot of 2GB DDR3-1066 is the most cost-performance optimal approach for me.

Any comment on this?

Best Regards
xx86