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    T520 and 1.35v RAM

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by StormShadow, Sep 5, 2012.

  1. StormShadow

    StormShadow Notebook Geek

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    Hi there,

    Is anybody out there using a T520 with 1.35v RAM? Would it harm the system as it expects 1.5v? Advantages/disadvantages? Its about the same price as the 1.5v ones.

    Thanks so much!
     
    StormShadow, Sep 5, 2012
    #1
  2. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    Voltage indicates the power consumed by the module. So, the 1.35V RAM stick sips a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of power less than the 1.5V RAM stick

    Does 1.35V make your battery happy? No, because the biggest consumer of battery power is the screen. Eye candies cost a lot of power.

    Does 1.35V make you happier? I doubt it.
     
    Kaso, Sep 5, 2012
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  3. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    If anything, the only difference you may notice is a slightly decreased power draw when on standby (when RAM power consumption actually becomes the most significant item). But I wouldn't worry about it.
     
    MidnightSun, Sep 5, 2012
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  4. erik

    erik modifier

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    in the '20 series 1.35V modules will auto-negotiate to 1.5V and be imperceptible between native 1.5V modules.   if they're cheaper than 1.5V, buy them.   otherwise don't sweat it.

    more than likely the 1.35V modules will use chips on a smaller process size, giving a handful of extra minutes worth of runtime on a charge.   you won't notice it unless the system is measured for load under lab conditions using highly controlled drain processes.
     
    erik, Sep 5, 2012
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  5. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Interesting. Thought the '20 series Thinkpads supported the lower-voltage DDR3 modules. Do they work at 1.35V in the '30 series?
     
    MidnightSun, Sep 5, 2012
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  6. erik

    erik modifier

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    nope, it turned out that '20 series didn't go to 1.35V.   everything negotiates to 1.5V.

    '30 series can run 1.35V modules at 1.35V.   (not like it really matters.)
     
    erik, Sep 5, 2012
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  7. StormShadow

    StormShadow Notebook Geek

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    Just wanted to let anyone wondering about this that the T520 will indeed run the RAM with no problems. I ended up getting it from New Egg and installed it this afternoon. I put my old 8 GB in my Dad's VAIO. Thanks to all for the advice!
     
    StormShadow, Sep 11, 2012
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  8. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    No doubt. We all hope you're more productive with the new RAM.
     
    Kaso, Sep 11, 2012
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