Adding Memory Stick to T430

[polyhedra]

I want to add another 4 Gig to my T430 and I am going to get another Lenovo memory module. There are two "flavors" so to speak of the PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 SODIMM: a low halogen version (ThinkPad 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 Low-Halogen SODIMM Memory, Part number: 0A65723) and a low voltage version (Lenovo 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3L-1600MHz SODIMM Memory, Part number: 0B47380.

I would think it is the low halogen version which is already installed in my unit but is there any way to tell for certain that is the case? The existing SODIMM is installed under the keyboard and I do not want to open it up and check. I just wanted to get a matching Lenovo SODIMM to slip into the memory slot underneath the unit.

Thanks in advance for help on this.

[rkawakami]

I believe that memtest86+ will be able to tell you the manufacturer part number of the module. It will not be the Lenovo FRU but it should indicate whether or not it's a low power version. You can download the program from here:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

There's also some Windows diagnostics and utilities that can obtain this information, however I'd still go with memtest86+ as you can use that program to verify that your new module is performing correctly. It is a stand-alone program that boots the system and proceeds to run several test patterns against all locations of the memory. I would let it run for at least three complete passes. Any errors will be shown on the bottom half of the screen highlighted in red.

[polyhedra]

Will go with memtest86+. Much obliged for the help. BTW, if I wanted to add an 8 gig SODIMM instead of 4 gig, would I suffer any issues in performance? I would up to 2x8 gig modules but for the Lenovo brand, it is a bit too steep in price for me right now.

[ajkula66]

Will go with memtest86+. Much obliged for the help. BTW, if I wanted to add an 8 gig SODIMM instead of 4 gig, would I suffer any issues in performance?

Not unless you're pushing the integrated graphics 100% at all times.

I would up to 2x8 gig modules but for the Lenovo brand, it is a bit too steep in price for me right now.

FYI: Lenovo doesn't produce their own RAM. The sticks that they install are made by a variety of memory manufacturers. You'd likely save yourself a ton of money by purchasing 2x8GB from Crucial/Micron, Samsung, Hynix...through any major re-seller such as New Egg, let alone places like feebay.

[sktn77a]

You'd likely save yourself a ton of money by purchasing 2x8GB from Crucial/Micron, Samsung, Hynix...through any major re-seller such as New Egg, let alone places like feebay.

+1. FWIW, I suffered a significant drop in measured video performance (as assessed by WEI graphics scores) by not having matched modules in the two slots.

[Hans Gruber]

My opinion on ram is that you only need 8GB total in a laptop machine. Until an OS takes advantage of all the installed ram, there is not much of a point to go to 16GB. Considering the price for 16GB of ram today, it makes economic sense.

[polyhedra]

Thanks to all who offered me their kind advice, thoughts and experiences regarding my questions.

I finally found a way to find out which flavor of PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 SODIMM I have on my T430 directly from the Lenovo website. For those who may need this info, you first go to Parts Lookup page

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup

and type in either your serial number or machine type. Leave out any dashes which may appear in those numbers. Submitting that information produces a table of 38 parts for the T430. The memory module listed is given as:

FRU Description
03X6561 FRU-Lenovo 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600MHz SoDIMM Memory

I then did a Google search for: lenovo fru 03x6561
which yieled me the LENOVO PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 LOW-HALOGEN SODIMM MEMORY - SERVICE PARTS page here:

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd024222

The marketing part number (aka Part Number) corresponding to the FRU of 03X6561 is 0A65723. That part number is for 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 Low-Halogen SODIMM. So it is indeed the low halogen version I have installed and I would think that is the standard SODIMM for T430 units directly from Lenovo.

I am going with the same 4 gig module to up my unit to 8 gig. and I am purchasing the SODIMM from New Egg, which sells that module under the Lenovo label (same part number listed on their website), even though the actual manufacturer may be Samsung or Hynix.

[rkawakami]

Yes, a part lookup will tell you what shipped with the unit when it left the factory. If you are the original owner then it should be accurate. However, if you are not then it is possible that somebody before you has swapped it out.

Edit: I should also point out that the low halogen versions are not funtionally different than the "high" halogen. It is merely a notation that the substances used to construct the module are environmentally friendly.