X301 1600mhz RAM upgrade failure?

[mandelmanden]

Hello,

I've a support case where I was requested to upgrade a X301 with some RAM, price was a big issue, so I found some Corsair CMSO8GX3M2A1600C11, 2x4gb modules, and ordered them. The client then proceeds to install them himself and gets the beepcode 1 long followed by 3 short, which indicates something wrong with DIMM or systemboard.

Now, I haven't been able to find any information that there should be a problem with installing 1600mhz 4gb modules in the X301. Is there a problem here? I haven't had a chance to get my own hands on the machine yet, so I sadly can't say if there's any fumbling with the installation. But I'd just like to hear if anyone has got any experience with upgrading RAM beyond base specs in this and how it handles clocking them down...

I'll get back when I have more info.

Thank you in advance for any insight you might offer

[lead_org]

it maybe due to the Corsair ram itself. ThinkPad have known incompatibility issues with certain Corsair ram modules.

[91011]

Happened to see this at the Lenovo forum a few hours after seeing your post:

Re: x300 memory Options
‎05-15-201312:30 PM - edited ‎05-15-201312:30 PM
I can confirm, my Lenovo X301 with 2x 4GB DDR3 Samsung 2Rx8 PC3 12800 working.
But unfortunatelly, in Lenovo X301 DDR-II adjusted chipset is used to get DDR3 memory working, so all the memory is running at 400MHz (800MHz respectively), so even though you are using 1600MHz memory (PC 12800) like me, they are running only at 800MHz.

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... 093/page/2

Seems to indicate the problem may be the Corsair RAM.

[mandelmanden]

Thanks for your replies.

Upgrading this 301 has become a nightmare of incompatible parts.

[Radioguy]

Happened to see this at the Lenovo forum a few hours after seeing your post:

Re: x300 memory Options
‎05-15-201312:30 PM - edited ‎05-15-201312:30 PM
I can confirm, my Lenovo X301 with 2x 4GB DDR3 Samsung 2Rx8 PC3 12800 working.
But unfortunatelly, in Lenovo X301 DDR-II adjusted chipset is used to get DDR3 memory working, so all the memory is running at 400MHz (800MHz respectively), so even though you are using 1600MHz memory (PC 12800) like me, they are running only at 800MHz.

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... 093/page/2

Seems to indicate the problem may be the Corsair RAM.

Hynix s a no-go as well...at least this type:

https://www.skhynix.com/products/comput ... 451S6AFR8A

It's 1xR8, though. Perhaps this is the issue?

[Hierax_ca]

FWIW, I just upgraded my x301 (4057-WXP) from 4GB to 8GB of RAM using some Crucial memory (DDR3 PC3-12800 - CL=11 - Unbuffered - NON-ECC - DDR3-1600 - 1.35V) :

- http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/thinkpad- ... /CT5311320

and it is working just fine!

[johnmcdonnell]

Another 4GB module that I can confirm works fine in the ThinkPad x301:
Elpida PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) EBJ41UF8BDU5-GN-F CL11 16c 256x8 DDR3-1600 2RX8 1.5v

I'm compiling a list of RAM modules that have been verified as working or problematic in the x301. That list (along with some other x301 resources) is here:

http://x301.mcdonnelltech.com

Hope this helps.

[shawross]

Nice website

[Radioguy]

Ditto!

[thinkpadcollection]

x301 CPU is C2D means 1.5V and 2Rx8 memory (16 chips). Same with 1st gen i core series as well.

If any memory 1Rx8 for 4GB per stick, will not work.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[johnmcdonnell]

x301 CPU is C2D means 1.5V and 2Rx8 memory (16 chips). Same with 1st gen i core series as well.

If any memory 1Rx8 for 4GB per stick, will not work.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

That seems logical, but Kingston's KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX are 1Rx8 4GB modules and are confirmed to be working correctly in the x301.

[Temetka]

Nice website

You are right. That site has a lot of useful information.

I myself am very interested in picking up an X301. I was worried about the lack of lack of expansion. The mini-pci to microSD adapter is very interesting.

[Radioguy]

Those are useful for all laptops, not just ThinkPads. Honestly, the only thing I find myself really wanting on a X301 is an externally-accessible SD card reader. That's been the sole drawback I don't understand.

[Radioguy]

Forgot to mention: I can also confirm the Elpida EBJ41UF8BDU5-GN-F 4GB sticks work in the X301. I grabbed a pair, and bumped it up to 8GB.