T61 memory upgrade

[crux]

I recently purchased 4GB x 2 sticks of NEMIX PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHz RAM to upgrade my Lenovo Thinkpad T61. I have 2 and both have the dreaded NVIDIA chip, but were made in early 2008 and I'm running FreeBSD 11.1-RELEASE-p4 on all my machines.

It would start to load but freeze during the boot process on both machines, although it did show 8GB RAM in the BIOS set-up screen. I tried on my X61 with Intel graphics but it had a scrambled screen and never would proceed to boot.

I purposely did not buy what was supposed to be the correct RAM for a T61 through ebay so as not to get the wrong type and thought I was doing the right thing as they seem like a reputable company by their website. NEMIX has already refunded my money and I have only good things to say about newegg, but I am still interested in upgrading my machines from 4GB to 8GB RAM.

I know others have upgraded their machines successfully and would appreciate any assistance provided in selecting the correct RAM in upgrading mine.

TIA

.

[axur-delmeria]

The RAM type is correct (DDR2 667).

You could have run a memory test (like memtest86+). That way you'd know which of the two RAM sticks is defective.

[crux]

memtest86+ is available in the FreeBSD ports tree but I didn't think of testing it. I couldn't get it booted up to compile it.

I did try using just one 4GB stick, a combination of one 4GB and one 2GB, and don't know if one was bad and I happened to pick it, but it wouldn't even get as far in the boot process as with both in before it had a kernel panic IIRC.

[axur-delmeria]

^
Next time, compile memtest before installing the RAM.

[RealBlackStuff]

I usually get DDR2-800/PC2-6400 instead. from the likes of Hynix/Elpida/Samsung/Axiom
They are running less warm than 667/5300 ones.
Plus they are usually cheaper as well.

[crux]

I usually get DDR2-800/PC2-6400 instead. from the likes of Hynix/Elpida/Samsung/Axiom

Thanks. I thought I read where NEMIX made modules for several other companies so I was really disappointed when it didn't fire right up with 8GB RAM.

[E350]

This is the crucial memory that I have installed in both our T61p laptops and in our X61 and X61T laptops. No problems:

8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.5V 512Meg x 64

I have always bought the 8GB paired KIT number CT5651411

I just looked and I don't see the paired kit on Cruscial's website anymore.

[Cigarguy]

This is the crucial memory that I have installed in both our T61p laptops and in our X61 and X61T laptops. No problems:

8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.5V 512Meg x 64

I just looked and I don't see the paired kit on Cruscial's website anymore.

DDR3 in a T/X61? Now that is SUPER impressive.

[E350]

Oops, did I pick the memory I installed in the ThinkCentre instead?
I will review my purchases again.

[wujstefan]

I have found KomputerBay RAM working just good on those machines.

I personally often buy Goodram as well. Cheap and running cool.

[thinkpadcollection]

KomputerBay and Goodram are third-party and much lower quality, SPD is not programmed properly using rejects or marginal chips. Will not recommend it at all. I have 2 pairs of these Komputerbay based on 8 chip modules and they were claimed to work as LD (says so on the label !!) which means low density (2Rx8 mode) but this is not 100% perfect. The label is lacking the technical details like part number, type of layout (1Rx16, 2Rx8 etc), blank chips with unique part numbers that does not exist etc, many third-party modules had crossed out chips as well or relabeled brand name chips like Kingston does. For one I really like is Mushkin brand and that is about it for third-party memory modules. Reason I know this as I have Mushkin modules in many computers and many are fussy about memory modules and works well.

Gonna have to insist on be 16 chips module (2Rx8) especially for 4GB and 8GB modules to assure 100% on any C2D and pre Ivy Bridge computers with properly programmed SPD to assure 100% reliability and compatibility hence OEM memory makers. This is to not worry about having to return them at your expense in my case where I live, Canada sending back can be 15 dollars in mail fee so I'm really reluctant about that. Could run them in some computers. My choice is do not like having them, since from experience and one of examples where trouble can cause is this since did try in HP ultra-slim DC7900 with DDR2 800 SODIMM slots does not work.

I had G. Skill (simply will NOT work as pair or mismatched pair with one different maker or OEM), Rendition (slow death at rated speed) and Corsair give me incessant problems due to SPD not right and kept going back to DDR3-1333 for a DDR3-1600 module, had to manually set it on Asus but you are out of luck with other computers without this memory setting. Like thinkpads, Dell, HP for example.

What one wondering why I have komputerbay, reality is I did not buy them, they were given to me working in 2 computers awhile back.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[wujstefan]

KomputerBay and Goodram are third-party and much lower quality, SPD is not programmed properly using rejects or marginal chips.

Excuse me? I've got two sets of Goodram and Komputerbay working in my frankies, and yes, they are working on unlocked SPD in FSB-modded units.

Never had any problem. Used more than 30 sets of those modules.

Goodram is produced and sold in Poland. This is not a third-party seller. Please check before making a statement.

[dr_st]

GoodRam (really Wilk Electronik) inded manufactures its own modules. In fact, it is said to be the only European memory module manufacturer (although that info may be old).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilk_Elektronik

From some images I found it looks like they have some actual GoodRam-branding on the chips, and also sometimes use Nanya, Micron (probably other brands as well).

Not sure about KomputerBay. That one really does seem "third party". You can find pictures of their modules with chips from Geil, Micron. The name kind of gives it away. "KomputerBay" sounds like a name for a store, not a hardware manufacturer.

[thinkpadcollection]

Excellent article on Goodram brand, much like Kingston in quality (better than third party makers). I rather liked Kingston, Mushkin and Goodram also OEM makers of their memory chips and assembles their own as well.

Yet, very few third party makers does custom design their own PCB except ramaxel does choose their odd designed PCBs. Also majority of memory module PCB are designed and made by very few circuit board vendors and everyone including OEM memory buy them from them. All you do take a look so much that most of PCB modules are alike.

But the KomputerBay memory I have two sets of these and they look too much in quality, like Buffalo, GB in quality for poor quality.

The biggest issue is SPD programming is proprietary for any memory module assemblers (in general) and this SPD data is developed with deep understanding based on memory maker specifications datasheet guidelines, yet how can one know this is virgin new memory or buying marginal memory chips that could had been forced to get SPD adjusted in a way it is now marginal on compatibility due to many factors like made for overclocking, to cover marginal memory chips, or poor SPD data design, even bad PCB layout? Ditto to blank brands not etched onto memory chips leaving you guessing who made those?

Third party I repeat does NOT manufacture any memory chips ever, they were purchased from multiple sources that quality is guessed at except for very few that is more strict on quality (eg Kingston). Still, that they will not vouch for originality (blank memory chip or sanded off) or where it is from, consistency. Especially if have to upgrade a single module to two matched modules, tracking down exact replacement is can be a painful one. Good example with this consistency is Kingston memory. Kingston always had labelled same part numbers with different suffixes added to the part number to denote different chips since Kingston does not change the part number except for suffixes during lifetime of particular model part number. So this is can be a problem for trying to source second exact suffix again or price is too high.

I had a problem with like this few times since cannot find another exact suffixes for example Kingston so replaced it with different matched pairs, leaving me with one module wasted.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[E350]

Here we go:

• Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) • 200-pin SODIMM • DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 512Meg x 64 • CT2KIT51264AC667

Prices at time of purchase in 6/2010 Crucial $195.99 • eBay $205 • Newegg $164.99 • Amazon $164.99

[Cigarguy]

SODIMM • DDR2 PC2-5300

To correct your original post, the key word is is DDR2. This generation of T/X61 takes DDR2 not DDR3. I found that most name brand non-low voltage DDR2 Sodimm works on mine. Unfortunately, even after all these years, they are not cheap.