T60P Memory Config

Hello,

I read somewhere that the T60P can have either 2GB PC2-5300 @667 OR 4GB PCs-4200 @533.

If this is correct, it makes no sense. Why 4GB of one type, but only 2GB of another?

Can anyone verify this? Does anyone know if I can actually use 4GB of 5300@667?

Also, if 4GB of 4200@533 is cheaper than 4GB of 5300@667 (which I assume it is), does anyone know how much of a performance hit I would take with the slower memory? (I think it sounds counterintuitive actually). Just curious.

Thanks,
Randall

 

Because of the way memory is accessed, sometimes systems need to clock things down to make access more reliable. I don't know about the T60P specifically, though.

As for performance hits, probably not much. 533 and 667 RAM is nearly the same now, the 667 has higher CAS counts and such than the 533, so they end up being basically identical in performance, except that 533 transfers bulk data slightly slower. Nothing you'll worry about unless you need to get your spreadsheet calculated in 59 seconds instead of waiting a full 60 seconds

 

Plus I am not sure if 2GB ram sticks are available for notebooks at any faster than 533MHz.

 

Yes, they are available. Look here.

 

This is not a T60 specific limitation.
In fact, 4GB @ 533MHz limitation is due to the i945 chip, it's also listed under Intel's page.
2GB 667 and 533 are running the same price right now.
Other than the speed difference, 533 tends to have a lower latency and usually available in CL4 (which is good) while 667 is only available in CL5 (for now).

I guess your question should be what speed will 2GB+1GB run?
Since your 32bit CPU won't be able to address the entire 4GB RAM (maybe ~3.3gb on a t60p, ~3.4gb on t60? i m guessing)

 

Thanks, Moxia for that info. I wasn't aware that XP couldn't even address 4GB.

 

I think what I said in the previous post isn't entirely true. I didn't take the PAE technology into account.
so, addressing all 4GB RAM should still be possible (software support aside)

 

Ok, here is what I conjecture on the system memory limitation from the pieces of information I collected.
Hardware-wise
All the modern 32-bit CPUs (chipset limit aside) can address 64GB of system memory per processor with PAE in hand, which boost the limitation from 2^32 to 2^36 (from 4GB to 64GB)

Again chipset limit aside, the 3GB limitation people have been talking about is entirely a software issue due to the lack of PAE support.
For instance, a default 32-bit XP does not support PAE, hence this particular OS can only handle 2^32 system memory.

Here is my conjecture:
If you run Linux, Vista, or some other c00l OS's on your single 32-bit CPU, you will be able to address all your physical RAM upto 64GB minus I/O space or chipset limitation(whichever is lower).

Here is a question. (chipset limit aside), is a Core Duo CPU considered to be 2 independent processors hence being able to address x2 the memory listed above?

The post stands to be corrected

 

Sorry I did not specify that I was talking about 1x 2GB stick not 2x 1GB sticks

 

Look harder

 

Anybody know what speed will 3GB of RAM on T60 run?
677MHz or 533MHz?

 

Your ram will automatically speed down to the lowest speed ram you have in your laptop, so since 2GB SINGLE sticks of ram are currently running at 533MHZ that will be the speed of all your ram. However there is little to no performance difference do to the lower CAS on the 533MHz ram. To be honest having a better GPU or CPU is worth more research then 667 vs 533.

 

Thanks for answering, but my question is the following
Assuming you have 2GB+1GB of 677MHz ram, will the 945 chip run it at 667MHz or 533MHz?

 

assuming that the ram is 667MHz then it should run at 667MHz, unless I am mistaken, as that is what the max buss speed is on the 945 chipset.

 

Hey there I just did a little more research and it seems that a bunch of people are complaining that the 667MHz 2GB sticks are down clocking to 533MHz, so maybe there is something up with the 954 chipset.

 

Interesting!

Intel page does list that 4GB will run at 533, but it doesn't mention any other RAM amounts. So maybe they really mean 2GB sticks will run at 533

Could you confirm it?
My only 2GB stick is 533.

 

Take a look at Lenovo's build to order page.

2gb RAM is listed at 667MHz
2gb + 1gb RAM is listed at 533MHz

 

Do you know if the 533mhz speed is due to the Intel 945 chipset, motherboard design, BIOS constraint, or Lenovo's RAM stick supply?

I am guessing it's a chipset limitation, but I can't find any justification yet.

 

I have no idea. Even the single stick 2gb is listed at 533MHz. Probably a chipset limitation.

 

I saw some MacBook Pro having 3GB running at 677MHz
so if ThinkPads run 2GB stick at 533MHz, that's more likely a motherboard or BIOS limit.