W520 memory configuration questions

[Alejandro Audisio]

When you configure a W520 on Lenovo´s website, there are a few RAM options that dont make sense to me... but this is probably because Im tech challenged and dont get a few basic rules... so please be patient with the stupid questions....

Why is an upgrade to 8GB of RAM cheaper if you select a 2 DIMM vs. a 4 DIMM option...? Please note that the speed of the RAM apprears to be the same. As I understand it, if you get 8GB of total RAM in 2 sticks vs. 4 sticks, you can upgrade to more RAM in the future... if so, why would a 4 stick memory configuration of the same size (8MB) be more expensive instead of less expensive... what am I missing...?

To save a few bucks, if I wanted to get a full 16GB of RAM it would seem best (most cost effective) to buy a 8GB 2 DIMM configuration from Lenovo and then buy another 2 DIMM set of chips for the additional 8GM of RAM.... am I making sense here or what am I missing...?

[jayton4]

When you configure a W520 on Lenovo´s website, there are a few RAM options that dont make sense to me... but this is probably because Im tech challenged and dont get a few basic rules... so please be patient with the stupid questions....

Why is an upgrade to 8GB of RAM cheaper if you select a 2 DIMM vs. a 4 DIMM option...? Please note that the speed of the RAM apprears to be the same. As I understand it, if you get 8GB of total RAM in 2 sticks vs. 4 sticks, you can upgrade to more RAM in the future... if so, why would a 4 stick memory configuration of the same size (8MB) be more expensive instead of less expensive... what am I missing...?

To save a few bucks, if I wanted to get a full 16GB of RAM it would seem best (most cost effective) to buy a 8GB 2 DIMM configuration from Lenovo and then buy another 2 DIMM set of chips for the additional 8GM of RAM.... am I making sense here or what am I missing...?

The price of the 2GB sticks and the 4GB sticks are almost identical now, so I think it is because 4 sticks cost more than 2. No real benefit for the 4 2GB sticks to be an option, as the system is a dual channel memory system.

[jdrou]

The 4 stick option might be slightly faster; higher-density memory modules tend to have lower speed or higher latency. Probably not noticeable in practice though.

I'd get only a single module in any case and order 2x4GB from NewEgg or Crucial (which is what I did with my W520).

[sfogden]

Hi everyone. I've spent a lot of time on the site preparing to order my laptop. Should arrive in about 10 days
I have two questions about upgrading the memory:
1) I ordered it with the 1 4GB stick and am about to order another 4 GB and 2 8GB sticks. On the website I noticed both DDR3 1600 and DDR3 1333 options. Also noticed the W520 contains a 1333 module. I understand the memory will run at the lowest speed, so I'm considering buying another 4 GB at the faster speed, but wonder if the system will take advantage of the increased speed and/or will it be a useful expense? (it doesn't add much to the cost.)

2) On the Lenovo support site, there is a post for W510s stating the memory should be loaded in a very specific manner: Largest capacity stick under the keyboard with a matching stick in the corresponding slot in the bottom of the unit. When I read the both the W520 User manual and the Maintenence Manual, neither of these mentioned this. Is the W520 different from the W510 in this manner? Does the W520 not care how the memory is loaded?

[jayton4]

1) I ordered it with the 1 4GB stick and am about to order another 4 GB and 2 8GB sticks. On the website I noticed both DDR3 1600 and DDR3 1333 options. Also noticed the W520 contains a 1333 module. I understand the memory will run at the lowest speed, so I'm considering buying another 4 GB at the faster speed, but wonder if the system will take advantage of the increased speed and/or will it be a useful expense? (it doesn't add much to the cost.)

If you have the Core i7-2720QM, 2760QM, 2820QM, or 2860QM, then the answer is yes, it will take advantage of the higher speed. If you have the i7-2630QM or 2670QM, then the answer is no.

[Alejandro Audisio]

Some great follow up info here... is would be great if someone could also answer question 2) above....

[sfogden]

Thanks for the reply about the faster memory. I ordered the 2860QM so I'll pay the premium for the faster memory - it's not much.

As for getting question 2 answered, I posted the same questions on the Lenovo forum and got some good information. Here's the link to the discussion: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-Th ... d-p/691833

Bottom line is that it does matter. Thanks everyone for the information!

[Alejandro Audisio]

Thanks !!! very useful !!!

[Alejandro Audisio]

Follow up question.... with the configuration Im now looking at, a W520 with an i7-2860QM (2.50 GHz, 8MB L3) seems to offer only DDR3 1333 options for memory (I mean on Lenovos website when you custom configure)... is this because this CPU is not compatible with DDR 1600 chips, or am I getting the RAM speed concept mixed up...?

[sfogden]

I've asked the same question on this & the Lenovo Forum & was told that the Quad core processors take advantage of the faster (1600 vs 1333) memory. I just received my W520 w/2860QM & put in 32gb of the 1600 and the memory tests say it's running at that speed.

[Alejandro Audisio]

Thanks.... I guess then the open question remains as to if the CPU and config in question would support 32GB of the 1883 Mhz chips...

[http302]

Thanks.... I guess then the open question remains as to if the CPU and config in question would support 32GB of the 1883 Mhz chips...

Why 32gb of DDR3-1866 when 32gb of DDR3-1600 is cheaper, more readily available, and just as compatible? The system will never be able to use that additional 266MHz of memory speed because the processor and northbridge can't run the memory bus faster than 1600MHz.

Case and point: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 204-pin modules, priced at Newegg.

2x4gb DDR3-1600 -> $54
2x4gb DDR3-1866 -> $99

1x8gb DDR3-1600 -> $84
1x8gb DDR3-1866 -> Not available

2x8gb DDR3-1600 -> $169
2x8gb DDR3-1866 -> Not available

As long as the W520 is a 4-core QM or XM CPU, it can support 32GB in a 4x8GB configuration (as noted in the tabook and ltwbook).

[sfogden]

The Corsair Vengance from New Egg is what I installed. Wasn't going to go all the way to 32gb till I saw their price. Am pleased with the price/performace point.

[http302]

The Corsair Vengance from New Egg is what I installed. Wasn't going to go all the way to 32gb till I saw their price. Am pleased with the price/performace point.

I as well will be getting two 2x8gb 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance kits once my W520 is ordered (later this month). I am a VMware/virtualization hog and need all the memory I can get my hands on.

[Alejandro Audisio]

Understood.... I didnt get (until now) that the fastest RAM supported was 1600Mhz.

Thanks !!!