DDR2-800 for T61?

[Shuk]

Hi,

I asked this before in another discussion and got different answers. So I would like to ask again and hopefully be able to make a decision.

I want to upgrade the memory of my T61 (currently 1GB DDR2-667) and wonder if I should either buy another DDR2-667 stick or buy two 1GB DDR2-800 sticks. Apparently I could even sell my old DDR2-667 stick to a friend of mine so that I wouldn't loose much money.

I'm only concerned about the compability of DDR2-800 sticks and the T61 model (mine is 7659-XAU). I really don't want to have any trouble with the new sticks and thus want to be sure that the DDR2-800 sticks would work perfectly before I buy them.

I would appreciate if someone could tell me whether it is "save" to buy the new sticks or if I should rather go with another DDR2-667 stick.

Many thanks!


p.s. Hopefully soon I will have some time to take some pictures of my T61 and post them along with my experience so far.

p.p.s. I would appreciate some help of Linux gurus in this topic: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42689 (hope this little advertising is ok)

[Kyocera]

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=43218

One good thing about this forum is you are going to get different answers, all of which area usually slightly different, as users experiences are different.

[Shuk]

Thanks for the link, that looks promising! I was not complaining about different answers, though You are absolutely right that there are always different answers based on different experiences. Sorry if I gave a wrong impression about this.

Nonetheless I'd appreciate any further opinion to this topic that maybe isn't posted in the other topic yet.

[pianowizard]

Nonetheless I'd appreciate any further opinion to this topic that maybe isn't posted in the other topic yet.

Wait for a month or two. 800MHz memories are very new and there are currently very few choices. Let other people test them first. Why be a guinea pig?

As an alternative, just make up your mind to get a 2GB module, which is only available at 667MHz, so that 800MHz isn't even an option. You can get one for $135 shipped on Newegg.com.

[Shuk]

That brings up a question:

Would 3GB DDR2-667 increase performance more than 2GB DDR2-800?

[brentpresley]

That brings up a question:

Would 3GB DDR2-667 increase performance more than 2GB DDR2-800?

This will be HIGHLY dependent on the application(s) in use.

If your total memory usage exceeds 2GB, then you have hit a bottleneck and of course more memory will be the best option (even if it is somewhat slower).

If speed is your ONLY concern, then of course DDR2-PC6400 (800MHz) is going to be faster. How much faster, well again that will depend on what you are doing (memory intensive apps will see the largest gains).

[rukiri]

I'd say wait a month or two as well. If stability/compatibility is an issue, you're better of waiting for a bit and prices are *almost* certain to only go lower while you wait. (I don't see any surge in DDR2 purchases, or an upcomming dwindle in supply.. do you?)

Meanwhile, unless you *really* need 2GB, or you're running Vista, 1GB should be plenty.

Or.. you could buy a 1GB DDR2 667 SoDimm now for ~30 bucks? and, in my opinion / subjective experience, be just as well off. Unless you're doing something memory intensive, I don't think you'll see a difference between 667 and 800 (FSB parity and all).