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    1 DIMM vs. 2 DIMM looking at Power Consumption

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by uw748, Dec 28, 2007.

  1. uw748

    uw748 Notebook Geek

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    There's been a lot of discussion on 1 DIMM vs 2 DIMM and the question of running dual channel. However, I want to ask if a single DIMM will consume that much power as to be able to see a difference in battery life?

    I currently have 2 x 1GB DDR2 667 Kingston SODIMM, and pulling up the datasheet:

    http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KVR667D2S5_1G.pdf

    shows that it has an operating power of 2.665W.

    The 2GB DDR2 667 consumes only 1.944W operating power:

    http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KVR667D2S5_2G.pdf

    So 2.665 x 2 = 5.33 >>>>>> 1.944

    I think the 2GB module is on a smaller process, and therefore will have lower power drain. However, this is operating power and I have no clue as to the idle power, as well as if the battery life is significantly affected.

    Ignoring the dual channel setup, would I benefit from going to a single 2GB DIMM with regards to the battery life?

    (For reference, my thinkpad x60s idles around 7~9W depending on the hard drive spinning or not)
     
    uw748, Dec 28, 2007
    #1
  2. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Turning off the Laptop saves the most power, if done correctly 0 watts power draw. I don't think this something I would worry about.
     
    powerpack, Dec 28, 2007
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  3. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    You would, but the difference would be very small.
     
    nizzy1115, Dec 28, 2007
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  4. uw748

    uw748 Notebook Geek

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    And how would I go about using this said laptop that is turned off? Smash it over my head?

    Joking aside, I guess I could remove 1 DIMM first and see if that makes any difference as to the power drain.
     
    uw748, Dec 28, 2007
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  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    More memory = more battery power, in general. Anytime you got to the harddrive, expect the power consumption to jump. I have 4 GB and got an extra 20 mins of battery life over 2GB. Your mileage may vary.
     
    surfasb, Dec 28, 2007
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Given the big difference in specified power consumption, it looks like the 2GB module is more efficient. However, you may well find that if your 1GB modules are relatively new then they will consume less power than shown on the datasheet.

    I assume the quoted power consumption is the worst case with heavy read / write access. In reality RAM will spend significant time on idle with the contents just needing to be refreshed which I assume takes significantly less power. Consequently the power consumption difference will be reduced.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Dec 28, 2007
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  7. Soulburner

    Soulburner Notebook Evangelist

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    More RAM means less HDD paging, after everything is loaded.

    Less HDD use means...less power consumption.
     
    Soulburner, Dec 28, 2007
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  8. crazychu

    crazychu Notebook Consultant

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    more ram is better, although itll get a little hotter than before
     
    crazychu, Jan 3, 2008
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