X61 Memory - three questions

First, in general is it possible to have too much memory?

Second, I just bought an X61 and i was to upgrade from the 1gb of memory. It already has the additional 1gb of Turbo Memory or whatever they call it - I am not even sure if it's a good thing. ANyway, should i go with 2gb or 4gb of RAM?

Third, is all memory created equal? I like this computer and I want it to run nicely. What brand should I buy? Anything to suggest? Is there a difference?

thanks...

sorry for the newb questions...

 

It's not possible to have too much RAM, but it is possible to waste money on too much RAM. If you have a 32-bit OS, then it can only handle 3GB of RAM at most. If you have a 64-bit OS, then 4GB max is the most sensible to buy.

Don't worry about the RAM manufacturer, as long as you get lifetime warranty, just worry about the price.

Check out the RAM Deals here on NBR for more info.

 

Yes thanks - i just learned that from another thread. i do have 32 bit OS.


so 2 gb it is!

 

Good choice. You should also know that with 2GB, you will be running your RAM in dual channel, which has a slightly better performance than 1GB+2GB. Of course this is only if you do not cap the CPU Usage.

 

I am well aware of the memory issue but I ordered mine with vista basic (I guess that means the 32bit version?) and 1Gb.

I purchased 4GB (2x2 dual channel) PC5400 PQI for $63 off newegg. For that price it did not make sense to spend money on 1Gb chips. I know I won't be able to use it all right away but who knows maybe vista 64 will be better one the service packs and driver support is in full swing....

 

I might have read this wrong but...the same laptop with 1gig +1gig (2 gigs total) is faster than an equivalent laptop with a 1gb stick + 2gb (3 gigs total) in it because of dual channel?

 

That is correct, as long as the comparison of the CPU does not cap.

Look here:

 

wow...wish I knew this before I bought my 2 gig stick. Or, its time to buy another 2 gig stick.

 

But if your runing vista I would imagine you want as much memory as possible as it is a resource hog. In those charts your only seeing the very end of the graphs the performance differnce is not as significant as it appears in that graph. You may still be beter off getting a 2GB stick as you could always pickup a second 2Gb stick later, or if the 1Gb is cheap enough you could just consider it a disposable part in the future should you need more... memory may go back up in 2008 as rumor has it but who knows really. I figured I wasted $50 on turbo memory so whats $63 to max out the laptop with 4GB heh (even if it cannot use all the memory).

This is what I bought, have not tested in the thinkpad but it works in my Compaq.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141342

Might be better deals so look around.

 

very true...I'm undecided yet as to whether turbo memory does anything. If I got another 2 gig of corsair I'd keep the OEM samsung ram in case of warranty repair.

edit: thats a very good deal on 4 gigs...my corsair 2gb from newegg was $45 after MIR(60 retail).

 

FWIW dual channel is only worth about a whopping 7% improvement in memory bandwidth looking at the T61 1GB+1GB vs 2GB configs in the chart posted above.

One'd kind of expect at least a minimum 100% improvement in memory bandwidth considering how over-hyped DC is.