T61 hardware upgrades

[hakkyo]

I just bought a T61 (6464-AF4). I was going to buy Intel's X25-M SSD for it, but it seems T61 doesn't support SATA2 speeds—is this true? Would a X25-V be more reasonable? Or is there some other SSD you'd recommend?

About RAM. I've read at many places that T61 supports up to 8gb RAM (at one place, up to 16gb RAM, but that there's no 8gb sticks for it). Do I just need to stick two 4gb stick (or 4gb and 2gb) in and it works just like that or do I need to download some drivers or something? Also, does any DDR2 800MHz SO-DIMM work? Does the brand matter or does the other RAM stick have any effect on the other one (like limiting speed)?

Then about the Ultrabay. If I buy an adapter for HDD to put in Ultrabay, is it enough to just put it in for it to work or is there something else I need to do?

[Tasurinchi]

I was going to buy Intel's X25-M SSD for it, but it seems T61 doesn't support SATA2 speeds—is this true?

There is a BIOS patch that removes the SATA-I speed limitation of the original BIOS, there is a thread here somewhere to get the link for the download.

Independently if SATA-I/SATA-II, there is a huge performance leap with an SSD. I have an Intel X25-M SSD with 80GB in my T61 and it runs great even if I stil did not do the SATA BIOS mod yet as I have no battery yet. I'd highly recommend you to go for that SSD, you won't be disappointed

[Tasurinchi]

About RAM

DDR2 800 should work, it's better that you stick two identical DIMMS for Dual-Channel support, but it's not imperative. You don't need to download any drivers to install RAM. Remember that in order to fully use over 4GB RAM you'd have to use a 64bits OS.

Then about the Ultrabay

The Ultrabay adapter is easy to use, just make sure that the hard drive is properly set in the adapter, check the BIOS options to enable it in the boot sequence. I'm not sure if this is 100% needed, but I've entered it in my T61 as 3rd boot option after the main drive and an USB disk and it worked without problems.

Hope this helps...

[hakkyo]

I'd highly recommend you to go for that SSD, you won't be disappointed

Great! I'll do that then.

Remember that in order to fully use over 4GB RAM you'd have to use a 64bits OS.

Yep, going with Debian 64bit.

Hope this helps...

Yes, thank you very much.

I'll ask again if something comes up, but that might take awhile as I have to send the laptop back (bought it from internet) since they sent me a wrong one (smaller HDD and older video card). And here I was so exited about getting to try my new laptop. Oh well...

[frankiepankie]

T61 owner with Intel X25-V 40GB and SATA-II BIOS hack here... works fine, and blazing FAST

[hakkyo]

Which of these would be best for T61 UltraBay? The price differences aren't very big. I do understand the advances of the 7200rpm, 16MB of course, but I was worrying about the heat/noise. Considering I'm putting it in the T61 UltraBay, is the Western Digital 7200rpm one a good choice? Battery life doesn't matter really. I have T7100 1,8 GHz and 4gb RAM.

7200rpm, 16MB:
Western Digital 250GB SCORPIO BLACK, 2.5"
Seagate 250GB MOMENTUS, 2.5"

5400rpm, 8MB
Samsung 250GB SpinPoint M7, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB
Seagate 250GB MOMENTUS, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB
Western Digital 250GB SCORPIO BLUE, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB

[Tasurinchi]

I personally wouldn't put a 7200RPM drive in the ultrabay, you wan't need top performance there. A 5400 RPM would be quieter, generate less heat, possible also less vibrations, and the performance will not be much behind a 7200 RPM model.

[eyeland]

I undestand that using 800mhz ram in a T61 will result in the ram being "downthrotteled" to 667, but will this have any effect on the timings?
If not, am I correct in assuming that a 667 stick will slightly outperform a 800 stick seeing as the first seems to come with a lower cas latency than the latter?

[eyeland]

hmm " the actual time for an SDRAM module to respond to a CAS event might vary between uses of the same module if the clock rate differs" (wiki) would seem to indicate that the timings (CL at least) are indeed relative to the clock, and that a "native" 667Mhz CL5 module WOUNT outperform an 800 mhz CL6 module? (assuming 2 similar modules like KVR800mhz and KVR 667Mhz)
This is a rather important question to me as I am considdering a rather costly upgrade to 8gb for my T61 and 800Mhz modules are slightly cheaper that 667Mhz in DK atm.
EDIT: just had one of those rare (rare for me intuitive math-epiphanies:
667Mhz divided by 5ticks = 800Mhz divided by 6ticks

[hakkyo]

I got two memory sticks: 2gb PC2-5300S and 2gb PC2-6400. I understand that they will be running at the pace of the slower stick but can I use them in dual channel?

[Tasurinchi]

Nope. For dual channel you need same two sticks with the sames in each slot. Anyway, I don't think you will note the difference unless using really resource hungry applications!

[eyeland]

For dual channel you need same two sticks with the sames in each slot

As I understand, you can achieve asyncroneous dualchannel, but not syncroneous dualchannel with to different sticks?
Also, anyone got any conclussive info regarding the timings?

[padin]

Intel 4965AGN FRU available from http://img.onant.com/uni/detail.php?id=4965-FRU

I can ship it by air mail from China

[techweenie]

When using 800mhz ram on a 667mhz bus, the speed AND timings will be reduced. If you run a utility such as CPU-Z, you can see different timing profiles for each speed the ram is capable of running at. It is never a good idea to mix speeds and brands if you want to run dual channel. They are supposed to synchronize with each other at the lowest common speed and timings, but it doesn't always work right. Motherboard manufacturers always recommend using the same modules, and for good reason.

As soon as I get the chance, I will be putting 8GB in my T61. I'm stuck with 2GB right now and its killing me.