What memory should I buy?

[T60_user]

The thinkwiki says that my T60 uses PC2-5300 memory.
I found out that memory made by Lenovo is much more expensive than memory of other brands.
I found for example "Kingston ValueRAM SODIMM DDR2 667 CL5, 2 GB".
Can I also use memory of other brands or has it to be from Lenovo?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
You can buy any brand RAM that suits you and/or your budget.
Some of the preferred RAM makes here are Crucial, Samsung and G.Skill.
Any type "Valueram" is only second choice, and not really advisable.

[T60_user]

Ok thanks for the advice.
What are the disadvantages of these cheaper brands?
Crucial, Samsung and G.Skill are equal to Lenovo memory?

Thanks

[rkawakami]

The disadvantages for using "value" or "cheaper" brands is basically the very small chance that you will receive errors when using them or they are not covered by any significant warranty. Generally the way that manufacturers cut costs would be to use lower quality parts and/or designs or to not fully test them. Modules manufactured by the same companies that actually make the memory chips are usually seen as better quality. Memory manufacturers are (or were in some cases): Micron, Samsung, Hynix, Mitsubishi, Elpida, Infineon/Qimonda , Toshiba, Nanya, ProMos. On the other hand, module assemblers such as: Crucial, G.Skill, Kingston, Corsair, Kingmax, A-Data, PNY, will buy DRAM on the open market, from various sources, at the cheapest price they can get. Crucial is a special case: they are owned by Micron but will often use other people's DRAM on their modules. "How do you identify a module assembler?". One way to tell is to look at the logos on the memory chips. If it doesn't match the name of the module seller or if there isn't any markings on them at all, then you are probably looking at a module assembler. Some "performance" assemblers, such as G.Skill and Corsair, will overclock the memory during testing in order to see how fast it can be operated at. However, you usually pay a little bit more money for this type of module.

Lenovo does not make their own memory or modules. They simply "qualify" various modules that have passed their own internal testing so that the buyer is assured that it will work in the computer. Modules that have been factory qualified will have an IBM/Lenovo part number (FRU) label on it. "What's to prevent anybody from putting a fake label on their module?" Nothing, really.

Which comes down to this last piece of advice: Whatever you decide to get, make sure that you test it completely before you accept it. The best way that I know how to do this is to run a memory diagnostic program such as memtest86+. You can download a copy of the program from here:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Let the program run for at least three complete passes. Doing so will stress the memory system; essentially heating it up. Most memory failures will occur at higher temperatures, although in a few rare cases some errors can be triggered at temperatures colder than room temp. That's usually not too much of a problem unless you are using the laptop outside in the winter .

[james2008]

Thanks for that very helpful post. If a RAM chip failed memtest86+, you'd probably be able to return it to the seller as a defective item, right?

[rkawakami]

As long as the manufacturer/seller permits it under their warranty terms, yes. If we are talking about a commercial company, they should be aware of programs such as memtest86+ and trust the results it gives. Get a module off of eBay and the seller can say "as-is" and you take your chances.

Of course all of this assumes that you have bought the correct module for the system. Putting in a PC2-2100 module into a system that requires PC2-5300 is not a basis for requesting a replacement for a defective module.

[wild_bill]

not sure of your budget, but this is the highest rated reliability matched pair of 2GB modules on the earth (for a total of 4GB, 3GB usable)

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Ite ... 6820231154

I have this set, and I am great at breaking RAM, and this set is indestructible and lightning fast (CL4), I truly believe it is the best set for T60/T60p at any price!

US$85 for 4MB of the very best RAM on the planet is a "value-RAM" in my book!

RAM headaches are one thing I don't need in life!

cheers!