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    X220 4GB, 6GB or 8GB???

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by stickboy2k, Jul 16, 2011.

  1. stickboy2k

    stickboy2k Notebook Consultant

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    I have a x220 with 2gb

    I was considering upgrading to 8GB.


    My only problem with going to 6GB is I wonder if a 2gb + a 4GB is going to provide a good consistent throughput vs a complete matching 2x4gb 8gb configuration.

    Anyone know the trade off?
    Thanks in advance!
     
    stickboy2k, Jul 16, 2011
    #1
  2. ferganer80

    ferganer80 Notebook Consultant

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    2Gb + 4Gb will get you asynchronous dual channel. 4Gb + 4Gb = "full" dual channel. All these given you have identical memory types. If you would like to know if 4GB + 2Gb is better performance-wise than 2Gb + 2Gb, then the answer is "yes".
     
    ferganer80, Jul 16, 2011
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  3. floz23

    floz23 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you have the cash, just max it to 8gb and be done with it.
     
    floz23, Jul 16, 2011
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  4. ferganer80

    ferganer80 Notebook Consultant

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    second that. however, if you don't mind removing the keyboard, then ordering the X220 with 2Gb and upgrading it to 8Gb yourself will be much cheaper (about $70-80 for two 4Gb sticks plus you'll have a spare 2Gb stick that you can sell on ebay or craigslist).
     
    ferganer80, Jul 16, 2011
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  5. cloud_nine

    cloud_nine Notebook Evangelist

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    I popped in a 4GB stick with my 2GB, runs without issues. a 4GB was only 2 dollars more vs. buying a single 2gb stick. This also gives me more room for upgrading up to 8GB.

    There is no performance difference between matching capacity sticks and non matching capacity sticks (i.e. above) in modern intel chipsets.
     
    cloud_nine, Jul 16, 2011
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  6. WAYNENUMM

    WAYNENUMM Notebook Guru

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    I did that, except that you don't have to remove the keyboard to do it (just remove the covers over the memory on the bottom).
     
    WAYNENUMM, Jul 17, 2011
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  7. c17chief

    c17chief Notebook Consultant

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    Adding 4gb for 6 total is the best bang for the buck. It's plenty of ram for just about anyone, and will cost you close to half of going with 8 gb.

    About the bandwith, Ferganer is not entirely correct with that. With this chipset, there are 3 modes.....single channel, dual channel, and flex mode. 1 stick will run single of course. 2 sticks will always run dual channel. 2 unmatched sticks will run flex mode. In flex mode, the common amount runs full normal dual channel, and the remaining amount of the larger stick runs single channel. In other words, with 4+2, 4gb is going to run full normal dual channel...2gb of each stick...same as if you had 2x2 installed...and the remaining 2gb of the 4gb stick will run in single channel. In real world use, you are only going to notice a difference in benchmarks, and pretty much nill in actual feel.
     
    c17chief, Jul 17, 2011
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  8. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Actually, the only real world situation where you would notice a difference is when gaming on integrated graphics...
     
    sgogeta4, Jul 17, 2011
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  9. ferganer80

    ferganer80 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks. I stand corrected. Here is a good overview of different memory setups:

    Desktop Boards — Single, dual, triple, and flex memory modes
     
    ferganer80, Jul 17, 2011
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  10. ferganer80

    ferganer80 Notebook Consultant

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    Well, great to know that Lenovo has a more easily upgradable arrangement for RAM on some of their laptops. I wish they did the same to the T series.
     
    ferganer80, Jul 17, 2011
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  11. ferganer80

    ferganer80 Notebook Consultant

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    ferganer80, Jul 17, 2011
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  12. gmoneyphatstyle

    gmoneyphatstyle Notebook Deity

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    I'm not so sure that the Thinkpad x220 chipset supports Flex Memory.

    The x220 uses intel's QM67 chipset. Source notebookcheck.net.

    Intel make no mention of the QM67 having Flex Memory Access. LINK

    But they do for the desktop chipset x38 chipset. Chart x38 on left, Qm67 on right.

    I could be wrong, I'm no expert, but I can't find anything that says the QM67 chipset has Flex Memory Access.
     
    gmoneyphatstyle, Jul 17, 2011
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  13. syoung

    syoung Notebook Enthusiast

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    I went with 6GB in my x220 since the performance difference from 8gb is negligible and I didn't want to spend the extra $25. True, I could have sold the stock 2GB module for $10 or so, but that would have been more hassle than it's worth.

    However, I did see a $35 8GB Corsair deal on Newegg yesterday that had me sorely tempted...

    edit: Regarding flex mode on the X220, DocJ's benchmarks seem to indicate that it indeed exists.
     
    syoung, Jul 17, 2011
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  14. frisbeefreek

    frisbeefreek Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just bought a T420 with 2GB of RAM (wrong thread I know, but close enough imho) - The only memory intensive item I use is the game Civilization 4. I had planned on upgrading to 8GB, but I'd like to save $25 if an upgrade to 6GB would provide maximum benefit. Anyone care to comment on a recommendation? Thanks in advance.
     
    frisbeefreek, Jul 17, 2011
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  15. RabidBeaver

    RabidBeaver Notebook Enthusiast

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    There's only so many different ways of saying with RAM prices so cheap it's crazy not install 8GB.

    Fret about something else.
     
    RabidBeaver, Jul 17, 2011
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  16. syoung

    syoung Notebook Enthusiast

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    8GB is indeed cheap, but 4GB is (usually) twice as cheap - and if we can save that extra money without suffering much in the way of performance, why not do it?
     
    syoung, Jul 17, 2011
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  17. zephir

    zephir Notebook Deity

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    zephir, Jul 18, 2011
    #17