R61 Memory upgrade: 1GB + 2GB(new) -> 3GB -OR- 2GBx2 (new) -> 4GB (win XP)

I have an R61 on the way, with 1GB using one slot.
I want to upgrade to 3GB. I see two options:

A) add a 2GB SODIMM to get to 3GB (~$40)
B) remove the existing 1GB, and add two new 2GB SODIMMs to get to 4GB (~$80)

I understand that Win XP 32-bit can only use 3GB.
I have seen mention on this forum that option A would not allow dual channel operation.
I have also seen mention that the original Lenovo memory may not bee so great.

Questions:

1. Will there be any real difference in performance between option A and option B?
2. If so, can anyone put a number on it?

I'm guessing option B isnt worth the extra $40, but I'd like to hear what you all think..

thanks

tom

 

Hi I did, option B but i use Vista 64 ultimate. And I guess that you will switch to it at one point. Memory is cheap $40 dollars is not a crazy investment in your pc. Performance wise, no major difference with xp btw 4go and 3go.

 

you are definetely capped at 3.XXGB with XP. Here is the way I would look at it.

A.
-cheaper
-best money for actual performance

B.
-once and done, never have to crack it open for that reason again
-cheaper in the long run if you ever go 64bit or vista, prices are cheaper buying 4GB total over 2 sticks separately. prices may drop by that time though.
-theoretical dual channel
-you can get faster timings
-you can tell your friends you rock 4GB of memory

 

FWIW both 3GB and 4GB configs will run in dual channel mode (the former in asymmetric DC mode and the latter in symmetric DC mode). The difference in speed between both DC modes is negligible so that DC mode should be on the bottom of one's list of reasons for upgrading their laptop's memory.

The greatest improvement in speed to be had with more memory will come from not having to rely on slow virtual memory that's paged out to the hard disk--not from dual channel mode.

 

Go for option B, it's only $40.00 extra (in my opinion not much). Put your old stick of ram on ebay and try and get some of that $40.00 back...
Plus then you'll never be doubting whether that's the option you should of taken, and it's "future ready".
Vista 32bit recognises 4GB of RAM - there's much debate as to whether it uses it though. Some say it only uses 3GB, while others say it uses 3GB, but then the additional is also used in a less effective means by other processes.

 

Assuming you're running a 32-bit Windows...

1. No.
2. I don't know how much exactly the R61 hardware is able to gain, you're looking from 200 MB to max 500 MB.

Also, depends what types of apps you will be running. If you need to handle very large images with Photoshop or render 3D images, both require a large amount of RAM, then that extra 200-500 MB might be worth the $40. If not, for regular office work and stuff, you will not feel a difference at all.

 

I had the same choice to do and I chose B. I bought the T61P with 1GB of RAM in 1 Dimm and bought 2 G. Skill low timing ram with 2GB each

 

rule of thumb on dual channel memory is to match the sticks as best as possible in both speed and size. intel will only run duplicate capacities in dual channel mode and the leftover runs in single channel. in theory then, you will run 1GB from the 2GB stick in dual channel with your other 1GB stick and the remaining 1GB will run in single channel mode.

the gains on laptop applications are very marginal at best so if you truly want all the benefits of dual channel then count on buying a matched set. manufacturers strive to match two sticks sold together with the tightest tolerances.

long story short......eat the cost and buy 4GB matched sticks. Gskill's are among the popular since they and Kingston are the only with 4-4-4 latencies.

 

Be careful what you buy, as I've had some incompatibility issues with RAM in mine. I ended up getting some more expensive stuff that was specifically made to be compatible with my model (found it using the genuine Lenovo RAM part number).

 

i did option A and only felt a real difference at start up times. other then that, everything was the same to me.