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    DDR3 v. DDR2

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009.

  1. CubbieBlue

    CubbieBlue Newbie

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    Can anyone tell me why the T500's I am finding in the outlet w/ ATI only have DDR2 instead of DDR3? Is this a typo or am I not finding the right ones...also is it that big of a difference?

    Here is an example:
    http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/ca2082xf3.html

    Basically I want to purchase a T500 at outlet price ASAP...is this a model I should bite on or should I wait for a DDR3 one to pop up? Do they pop up often?

    This is for someone who is sold on a T500, but would prefer one with a solid graphics card.

    Thanks, sorry for the 100 part question.
     
    CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009
    #1
  2. Ramen Lunei

    Ramen Lunei Notebook Enthusiast

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    For RAM, DDR2 vs DDR3 has been tested to find that they do not really make a difference. That is because RAM speed is not the bottleneck in a computer.

    One could argue that DDR3 uses less power but I think that is negligible..

    Looking at your link there's six in stock so you have plenty of time to decide.
     
    Ramen Lunei, Oct 3, 2009
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  3. CubbieBlue

    CubbieBlue Newbie

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    What makes me curious is that those six are listed with DDR2 but all current T500's are DDR3, and the research I am doing all says that the T500 was launched with DDR3...what gives?
     
    CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009
    #3
  4. Ramen Lunei

    Ramen Lunei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ramen Lunei, Oct 3, 2009
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  5. Ramen Lunei

    Ramen Lunei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hm..it might be a typo then..try calling in and asking about it?
     
    Ramen Lunei, Oct 3, 2009
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  6. CubbieBlue

    CubbieBlue Newbie

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    The one you linked has the AMD M86 card. I was targeting the ATI card. Do you know if there is a big difference between the two? I cannot find any info on the AMD M86.
     
    CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009
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  7. Ramen Lunei

    Ramen Lunei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ramen Lunei, Oct 3, 2009
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  8. CubbieBlue

    CubbieBlue Newbie

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    Well, that's not confusing at all. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Thanks man!
     
    CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009
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  9. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    The DDR2 is a typo.
     
    jaredy, Oct 3, 2009
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  10. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    All T500s have ATI Radeon 3650 256MB GDDR3 graphics cards. It's a typo.
     
    MidnightSun, Oct 3, 2009
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  11. CubbieBlue

    CubbieBlue Newbie

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    Well some do not have the ATI Radeon 3650 "switchable"...the cheaper model just has an integrated card, just to be clear.
     
    CubbieBlue, Oct 3, 2009
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  12. quick2k2ecotec

    quick2k2ecotec Notebook Consultant

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    quick2k2ecotec, Oct 3, 2009
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  13. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    There are numerous typos on both of those. 1066MHz DDR3 is going to be in every T500, so you can just ignore that. Second, it's unlikely (although theoretically possible) that the Intel 4965 WLAN card would be used (the 5100/5300 is more likely).

    I'd go for the cheaper one, but I'd try and call to verify the specs if possible.
     
    jonlumpkin, Oct 3, 2009
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  14. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Sorry, yeah, that's true. I was not thinking about the integrated-graphics T500 models when I wrote that :eek:
     
    MidnightSun, Oct 4, 2009
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  15. quick2k2ecotec

    quick2k2ecotec Notebook Consultant

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    Now, how do these compare to this: http://www.frys.com/product/5948604?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

    It's actual price is $699 in store.
     
    quick2k2ecotec, Oct 4, 2009
    #15