RAM upgrades: matched set, mixed timings, or asynchronous mode?

I ordered a Lenovo T530 (integrated graphics) with 4GB of RAM and I plan on installing an aftermarket upgrade to get at least 8GB. I believe that the installed module is DDR3, 1600MHz, CL11, 1.5V. I would like to research my upgrade options before my T530 is delivered and have the following options:

Option 1: I purchase a 4GB, 1600MHz, CL9 module for about $36. The new module will slow to CL11, correct?

Option 2: I purchase a 2x4GB, 1600MHz, CL9 kit for about $70. Hopefully I can sell the installed module for $30 or so to offset the price of the upgrade.

Option 3: I purchase an 8GB, 1600MHz, CL11 module for about $64. I will have 12GB total, running in asynchronous dual-channel mode.

For me, I would prefer Option 1 because it costs the least. Although, having 12GB for only $64 is also tempting. Option 2 costs the most (at least initially), but is the safest option. Realistically, what (if any) are the risks in running modules with mixed timings or running modules in asynchronous dual-channel mode.

Thanks in advance.

 

I would order one with minimum RAM for 2 reasons. I don't mix RAM anymore (used to in past, but after hours of BSOD and troubleshooting on various machines just gave up) and Dell/Lenovo/HP usually charge huge premium for RAM upgrades, although they're not as bad as Apple.

generally, if you mix RAM, it will downclock to the slowest module and all should be fine, however it can cause instability in certain systems.

oh, and I only use branded RAM (Crucial, Corsair, Kingston etc.) used cheap generic off eBay and Amazon few times and it's never worth the saving. Even the budget lines like Kingston value are better choice, imho.

not sure on much RAM you actually need, but I'd be looking at selling the current RAM and get either 2x4GB or even 2x8GB.

 

Option 1 will work just fine. Lenovo varies the exact RAM they use, so you may actually get a CAS 9 module. If it is CAS 11, however, you are correct in that the faster stick will slow down to match the slower stick.

In any case, you will not notice the difference between the two speeds outside of memory benchmarks. I've never had any problems with mismatched memory speeds, amounts, or brands: in fact, all my laptops right now are running mismatched brands, and one of them is running mismatched stick sizes.

Depending on your usage cases, 8 GB of RAM is most likely more than enough, so I think 12 GB is probably overkill.

 

Hardware issues with mixing RAM is pretty rare, as I've seen, but issues can sometimes happen (kefan777 is the second user I've seen here with mixing problems). Just my experience, but I have a stock 4GB Samsung 1333MHz stick in my W520, and I added two 4GB Mushkin 1333MHz sticks along with it, and I haven't had any issues at all for the two years I've owned both the W520 and Mushkin kit. 12GB is pretty overkill though, and honestly I only have 12GB because I can.

Definitely sticky to well-known RAM names, but between those brands, RAM is RAM is RAM. Typicially, I see that G.Skill tends to be the cheapest, though I've also seen Kingston and PNY dip below them at times. Just shop around and see what you can find.

 

IMO you're asking the wrong questions.

Go w/ cheapest matched set of decent (name brand) 2x8GB RAM, as having 16GB RAM makes it easier to be comfortable w/ disabling the pagefile (w/ either W7 or W8) which is useful in general but especially when one uses a boot SSD.

CL 11 is "normal" for 1600 speed, but if faster CL doesn't cost much more then get the faster CL. Don't worry about RAM w/ speed that is faster than 1600 as Lenovo ThinkPad T530 BIOS does not permit one to benefit from it. Meaning you'd have to run a modified BIOS, which I do NOT recommend.

Best performance is from 2 DIMMs that are matched in size. See John Ratsey's post#6 in: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-channel-2-2-vs-6gb-single-channel-4-2-a.html

 

Thank you all for your feedback. I think I will go for Option 1 and run memtest thoroughly. If mixed modules causes a problem, then Option 3 is probably a bad idea too, so I'll fall back on Option 2. With DDR3 prices rising, I might be able to sell the original module for more if I wait a little.