Memory for T42 upgrading....

[fje]

Hi, the help of this forum was very valuable in my 600E upgrading (fortunately almost completed, I'm now trying to solve the display problems I did first time I opened the laptop).

Now I'm in the way of upgrading my T42 (2373-F2G) and the first thing I'm thinking about is to upgrade the RAM from the 1Gb I have today (2x512Kb) to the maximum of 2Gb. Looking at the T42 Hw Maintenance manual, it seems that the FRU for the 1Gb RAMs is "31P9835" and it is defined as"1-GB DDR SDRAM SO-DIMM (PC2700) for T41/T41p, T42/T42p".

Looking at eBay I found this item: 370143479097 that says to be "compatible" with the 31P9835 and to be "low density memory". Question is, should "low density memories" valid for T42? Should they be "High density"? or both of them would be valid?

I also found in eBay item: 370139736398 much cheaper, would it also be valid?

Finally, what about "Dual Channel" memories, would them be also compatibles for T42?

Thanks so much.

[chan_man]

All you need to find are DDR PC2700 SIODIMM memory. These are getting harder to find but here is a list of prices etc.

http://dealnews.com/memory/prices/23/1GB.html

[rkawakami]

You can also use PC3200 (400Mhz) CL2.5 DDR but be very careful that you do not get the DDR2 version. Most of the time this newer type of memory is labeled "PC2-3200" but people can make mistakes in the description. The modules cannot be installed in the wrong system as they are keyed differently, but I guess if you use enough force it can be done .

There should be no difference, as far as I know, about "low" or "high" density modules with DDR. My only experience with this description is for the older PC100/PC133 SDRAM (aka, SDR) where there was a basic change in how the memory was refreshed and you can't always interchange them. Like those modules, what they may be referring to is the amount of memory chips that are physically on the module (i.e., 8 or 16 components). In most cases you are better off with using a module that has the fewest number of parts on it since it typically consumes less power but from a DDR standpoint, either "density" of module should work.

"Dual channel" refers to the system's ability to (slightly) increase the memory performance by interleaving information between two (or more) modules. I don't believe that the T42 has this capability but don't quote me .

[Johan]

A few hints about upgrading T42/p's can be found in the thread T42 Upgrade Possibilities.

With respect to upgrading your T42 with 2 x 1 GB RAM modules, I strongly suggest to get a pair of Crucial CT12864X335. These regularly sell for around $30 in the USA, but is frequently on offer ("over there"!), as e.g. discussed in the thread FRYS.com: 1GB PC2700 Cruical SODIMM - $10 after rebate!. As mentioned in that thread, try see the 1st class user-feedback about this RAM at Newegg's site or alternatively try Search this forum for CT12864X335 and see ThinkPad-users opinions! If you end up buying some other manufacturer/type of RAM, you can find the specifications it should fulfill in the key data on Crucial's datasheet for the CT12864X335 (what you essentially need is PC2700 333MHz DDR1 / non-parity / CL2.5 / 200-pin SO-DIMM) - see e.g. the ltwbook - any entry for whatever T42.

I just Google'd a little bit to see if I could find CT12864X335 in Spain for a fair amount, and I found this site which seem to sell it very cheap (in Spain) - however on the assumption that my understanding of the Spanish text there is correct (as I don't understand Spanish!). Good luck with the upgrade! It also seems to be available here (also in Spain), although perhaps slightly more expensive. Google may no doubt help you to find the very best offer!

Johan

[schen]

I've had good luck with both Corsair and Kingston brands as well, in the PC2700 spec. The Kingston was Elpida chipped and I've always had good experience with their chips. I've read that some folks on this forum have has some trouble with Corsair, but at the price that I got them for (after rebate), I couldn't resist and they've been fine for me after 6 months of use. Here in the U.S., the major brands and retailers seem to take turns running specials on price which may or may not include a rebate.

Typically, if you keep an eye on Fry's, MicroCenter and Newegg, somebody is going to have a special running where you don't have to deal with a rebate that's not applicable to non-U.S. purchases.

[fje]

Thanks a lot to all of you that answered my question !!!!

I probably forget to "tick" the "inmediate email me on answer" because I was not awre of your answers till now that I came back looking for any answer.

Your help has been (as usual) very valuable and I'll follow all of your suggestions and guidances.

Thanks again (as always)

Regards.

Javier

[fje]

Well,

I was looking for the different alternatives and, looking at Johan's "spanish" suggestion (it came to be USA shop that works with Amazon and ships to Spain), as I already told Johan, the shipping cost duplicated the memories price, so, I looked for another well known brand, following Schen suggestion, and found this Kingston:

http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0281600317

I asked for the actual Kingston p/n of it, but if look that it will a good choice, I'll probably try it.

Thanks again.

[fje]

The Kingston Memory that I'm propbaly buying is p/n KVR333SO/1GR. Any comments on it? Schen, you in particular seem to have experience with it... your opinion?

Thanks.