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    Non-matching DDR2?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by agena, Sep 1, 2008.

  1. agena

    agena Notebook Enthusiast

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    I might buy a Lenovo Thinkpad R61 in September.

    The configured system comes with 2 x 1GB DDR2 sticks. However, and I do use a 1 x 2GB module on my current laptop.

    Would I be able to swap out my OCZ DDR2 module with one of the 1GB modules from the R61. So a R61 with 1 x 1GB OEM and 1 x 2GB OCZ? Would this configuration work?
     
    agena, Sep 1, 2008
    #1
  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    What speeds are the modules?
     
    nizzy1115, Sep 1, 2008
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  3. GrandAdmiral

    GrandAdmiral Notebook Evangelist

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    You won't get the benefit of Dual Channel unless you have matched chips and if your speeds don't match then the faster RAM will downclock to match the other board, regardless of the top speed your motherboard supports. But other than that it should all work

    Grand Admiral
     
    GrandAdmiral, Sep 1, 2008
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  4. agena

    agena Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thinkpad OEM has 667Mhz DDR2

    My OCZ stick has 667Mhz DDR2

    edit: from what I've heard, the benefits of Dual Channel are negligible anyway.
     
    agena, Sep 1, 2008
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  5. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    It will probably work fine. I don't think they recommend using non-matching ram, but it will still work.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Sep 1, 2008
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    See the dual channel RAM guide. Dual channel offers a significant benefit over single channel (ie having only one RAM module) but the asymmetric dual channel (where the two modules are different sizes) usually result in only a slight drop in performance compared to having two modules the same size.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Sep 1, 2008
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  7. agena

    agena Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm mainly thinking of doing this because I don't really want to spend extra money on more RAM. I only just bought the OCZ module a few weeks ago and cost me a hefty $62 AUD.
     
    agena, Sep 1, 2008
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  8. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    agena I think it is a good idea and the days of needing matching sticks are long gone for Intel based notebooks. The first 2GB will run in "True" Dual Channel.
     
    powerpack, Sep 1, 2008
    #8