The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Need your help regarding memory upgrade

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by wingsofeagle, Jul 10, 2007.

  1. wingsofeagle

    wingsofeagle Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    21
    Messages:
    286
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am trying to add 2Gb Kingston memory to my Thinkpad T60P laptop that already has 1 GB 1 DIMM RAM , but the Kingston CL is 4 and my laptop memory has CL 5 do you think it may cause any problem?
     
    wingsofeagle, Jul 10, 2007
    #1
  2. skywalker

    skywalker Business Notebook FTW!!

    Reputations:
    100
    Messages:
    2,126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    nope, it doesn't matter. Dont bother with CL.
     
    skywalker, Jul 10, 2007
    #2
  3. Skibums

    Skibums Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    384
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Specs for your laptop show you have DDR2 PC2 5300 memory, 667mhz, which is cl 5. It looks like the kingston memory is DDR2 PC2 PC2-4200, 533MHz, and has a cl 4. The memory should be fine.
     
    Skibums, Jul 10, 2007
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    RAM modules contain built-in timing data called SPD (I attach an example) and the BIOS looks at this during boot-up and works out the fastest speed supported by both modules. Together the two modules will run at 533MHz, CL=4.

    John
     

    Attached Files:

    • SPD.jpg
      SPD.jpg
      File size:
      70.2 KB
      Views:
      151
    John Ratsey, Jul 10, 2007
    #4
  5. nathan_Chan168

    nathan_Chan168 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I have a question about my laptop and upgrading ram.
    I'm currently running an additional 512mb pc2700 DDR 333 stick of SoDimm ram. I looked around and the 333s are really expensive! One person told me that I can purchase a 400/pc3200 (which is a lot cheaper) and it should run fine. Is that true?

    My laptop is a Gateway 3550gz 1.7centrino.

    Thanks in advance!
    Nathan
     
    nathan_Chan168, Jul 11, 2007
    #5
  6. Chenmaster

    Chenmaster Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yes, PC3200 is backwards compatible so you can put it into a PC2700 motherboard. Make sure you get DDR memory and not DDR2 as they do make a DDR2 version of 400Mhz.
     
    Chenmaster, Jul 11, 2007
    #6
  7. nathan_Chan168

    nathan_Chan168 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    i asked the guys that sell the ram as well, and they said MAYBE ur motherboard is too crappy it might not recognize it.
    I tried CPUIDz and Everest but neither programs could even recognize what kind of board i had! hah

    But more or less buying a pc3200 should work right?
     
    nathan_Chan168, Jul 11, 2007
    #7
  8. Skibums

    Skibums Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    384
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What's the make and model of your laptop?
     
    Skibums, Jul 11, 2007
    #8
  9. nathan_Chan168

    nathan_Chan168 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    nathan_Chan168, Jul 13, 2007
    #9