W500/W700 Memory

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First Light · #1 Post by **First Light** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:09 pm

There are apparently 2 memory slots on the W700 into which you have the option of installing:

1. 2g total memory by using two 1g DIMMs (std)
2. 2g total memory by using one 2g DIMM
3. 3g total memory by using a 1g & 2g DIMM

The W500 is similar.

Why does Lenovo not offer the option of having a total of 4g of memory in the W700 by installing two 2g DIMMs?

Icefang · #2 Post by **Icefang** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:12 pm

They do, you just have to pick a 64bit OS before the option becomes available. Select Vista 64 and you will see the option to configure with 4gb of memory.

First Light · #3 Post by **First Light** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:53 pm

Thanks, I did that and see what you mean.

I also clicked on the XP operating system option, and the amount of memory reverted back to my above comment. So is 3g of memory all that is available if you want a W700 that is downgraded to XP?

Icefang · #4 Post by **Icefang** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:55 pm

Xp cant use more than that unless you somehow get the 64 bit extensions for Xp, which isnt easy to do. Most people that need go above 3gb, get a 64 bit OS, which is usually Vista 64 or linux. It probably cheaper to buy the memory yourself and install it, but if you want XP and 4gb of memory you probably going to need to call them up.

Technophile · #5 Post by **Technophile** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:17 pm

Well right now, Lenovo sells DDR3 cheaper than all the third party vendors that I've seen, so getting 4 gigs from Lenovo is the better idea right now.

jmshep · #6 Post by **jmshep** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 1:09 pm

Technophile wrote:Well right now, Lenovo sells DDR3 cheaper than all the third party vendors that I've seen, so getting 4 gigs from Lenovo is the better idea right now.

Correct at the moment, with Lenovo's pricedrops. However, when I ordered my W500 about a month ago, I also ordered a Patriot 2gb stick (PSD32G10662S) from NewEgg, since the Lenovo price for 4gb was around $140.00 over the cost of a 2gb (1 dimm) system. The patriot stick was going for $90.00 ($97.00 shipped.)

It is working quite well in my W500.

According to Newegg's site, PSD32G10662S is still the same price, but is currently out of stock with an ETA of 9/15.

tinkererguy · #7 Post by **tinkererguy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:35 am

Given T61p works fine with 8GB (2 x 4GB), I don't see why the W700 wouldn't work with the 4GB SODIMMs shipping now apparently (not from Lenovo), which seems to have the exact specifications required.
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs. ... 1264BC1067

Will wait until more affordable, and tested by somebody who actually has a W700 though.

So my W700 order was just with 1 2GB, with plans for a 4GB SODIMM, to get to 6GB total (Vista 64). I realize the mismatch size might make for a slight performance degradation over matched sizes (although I haven't researched this chipset well). Perhaps at some future date, I'll get a matching 4GB SODIMM for 8GB total, to juggle OSs using VMware Workstation.

tinkererguy · #8 Post by **tinkererguy** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:54 pm

Ok, it appears the Crucial memory advisor shows the 4GB SODIMM as compatible, part# CT51264BC1067
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... vo&cat=RAM

First Light · #9 Post by **First Light** » Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:09 am

tinkererguy wrote:Ok, it appears the Crucial memory advisor shows the 4GB SODIMM as compatible, part# CT51264BC1067
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... vo&cat=RAM

A 4gb chip for $600. Yikes!

eecon · #10 Post by **eecon** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 4:28 am

Lenovo's website as of this evening now allows selection of 4Gb memory even with the Vista 32-bit OS systems (and even with the XP Pro downgrade option).

Lenovo must have been reading all the questions and confusion about the 3Gb vs 4Gb issue on various forums and responded accordingly by just letting everyone order up to 4 Gb regardless of OS.

Smart business move on their part.

W500/W700 Memory

W500/W700 Memory

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