1333, 1066

I've got a Lenovo T420 with 2gb of RAM (and, if it matters, an i5-2410).

Girlfriend has a Lenovo Y460 with 3gb of RAM (T4200 processor).

I want to drop another 4gb stick in each (remove the 1gb stick from hers). Kingston is recommending 1333MHz for mine and 1066MHz for hers. Is there actually a reason not to get 8gb of one or the other and use one stick in each computer?

Would mine not perform optimally with the 1066? I'm fine if it's a negligible difference - only concerned if it actually has a practical impact. Would 1333 be slightly more expensive than is necessary for hers (which would be negated by the savings of buying the modules together)?

Thanks

 

Yeah, with a P8400 (or P8600...) she is running DDR2 while you are running DDR3. You need to buy the right sodimm modules for each system.

In your case with the 2410... presuming that you have Win7x64 I would recommend 8GB RAM as a 'base' level for the SNB platform in the second half of 2011.

I still run a P8400 with 8GB RAM (DDR2) and still see no reason to give up on that 4 yr old system (now, with an Intel SSD inside).

If her system really is DDR3 instead; I would still recommend 8GB for yourself and simply swap the 1GB for a 2GB stick from your system and call it a day.

Good luck.

 

Sandy Bridge supports 1333MHz DDR3 RAM. I would recommend that for your T420.

 

I appreciate the feedback, but I was mistaken. Her processor is a T4200. Kingston is recommending DDR3, so I assume that's what it actually is.

I know I can justify the expense of another 4gb in each, since I can do it with 2 4gb sticks. Not sure I can justify the expense of 2x8gb (or 4x4gb). Both systems generally run well. I do have a bad habit of keeping multiple browsers windows open, each with multiple tabs, along with other various windows. I'm expecting to access more PDF files in the near future, which I expect to choke the heck out the systems as they are now.

So I'm still wondering if I can get away with buying one pair of 4gb sticks (either 1333 or 1066) and popping one in each. Will using a stick that is not matched with what we already have be a problem?

 

T4200? Kingston must be mistaken: she surely is running DDR2 in her system.

What year did she buy it? What make/model is it?


I didn't expect you to put 2x8GB modules (around ~$1500 currently... ;O ), but rather 2x4GB DDR3 into your system only.

Please check and double check (I'd pull a stick of RAM out from each system and see if they match, physically) before you order.

 

No, the Y460 most definitely uses DDR3. Most of the Montevina Core 2 Duo machines (including my P8700 T500) use DDR3 RAM, with a notable exception being some Dell machines of the time (ie: Dell Latitude E6400).

1333MHz RAM put in the Y460 will simply downclock to the maximum FSB speed, 1066MHz. 1333MHz RAM put in the T420 will match whatever you have in your T500.

EDIT: Actually, just looked it up... the Pentium T4200 is a Montevina Core 2 Duo CPU with an 800MHz FSB, but the Y460 should be using an Arrandale Core i_ CPU. Are you sure it has a T4200 CPU?

 

Egg on my face. I'm sure that it has a T4200 (checked the system info), but that would be because it's a Y450.

 

Ah, that explains things. The Y450 does use DDR3 RAM, and theoretically, shouldn't have any trouble with 1333MHz RAM, since it originally ships with 1066MHz RAM.