X200 Ram Upgrade

I feel that the general performance is very good with Samsung 64GB SSD - 15 sec boot, 5 sec shut down but when I run good quality video, it seem to lag from time to time.

I want to upgrade but I remember reading from eHow that 4GB is the max I could upgrade to.

What type of RAM do I need to buy? I believe it's DDR3.

I personally prefer Samsung brand so could anyone recommend me a model number that is compatible with X200?

Is there any guide with picture? I've replaced hard drives and other parts before, but I've never done a RAM so I just want to make sure.. I suppose it's very easy..

Is there anything that needs to be done after I replace the RAM? Would I need to configure BIOS setting or something?

 

Upgrading your RAM won't help your video playback, although you shouldn't have any problems playing 1080p content on the X200 - the 4500MHD is plenty powerful enough.

On the X200, 8GB is the maximum RAM you can upgrade to, 2x4GB.

The RAM is DDR3 PC3-8500 SODIMM sticks, running at 1066MHz with a CAS latency of 7. Honestly, I'd just go with the cheapest RAM with those specs and a lifetime warranty (which is pretty much all brands).

For replacement, you can see the Hardware Maintenance Manual, it has step by step instructions and pictures. In the X200, I believe there's a panel you can just unscrew to access the RAM slots, so it should be very simple. It's a bit tougher on the Tx00 series.

You shouldn't need to touch any settings, it should be plug and play.

 

In general, the performance is smooth. C2D P8600, Samsung 64GB SSD, and I think I have 2 x 1 GB Samsung DDR3 RAM. W7 Ultimate. But I notice performance regression in time.

It's 3 years old.. I plan to replace this laptop when Windows 8 comes out.

Would you recommend this RAM? (Perhaps 2 x 4GB)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-DDR3-10...ultDomain_0&hash=item588aaf5813#ht_2592wt_905

 

your X200 is 3 years old? was it even released back then?

2 x 2 gigs is the sweet spot (as if you run it asymmetrical pair it would cause the graphic corruption issue, unless you turn off the virtualisation support).

Only get 8 gigs of ram, if you have a need for it, which means you are constantly maxing out your 4 gigs of ram.

O.S. do you have 32 bit or 64 bit OS?

 

Maybe it's 2.. haha. I'm not too sure. I have 32 bit OS.

 

Yes, on X200 it takes exactly 2 screws to be removed and just put the RAM in - check the manual - it's really easy.

This is the exact RAM I bought on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180562021766

I link it because the RAM that I got from this guy, was actually Lenovo memory, just from Turkey. Also I can confirm exactly what lead_org mentioned: 1+2GB RAM with Virtualization support will result in graphic corruption on the screen, so I turned off virtualization (I don't use it, anyway) and it works just fine now. The exact memory on my (and probably your) laptop is:

PC3-8500 DDR3-1066 Low-Halogen SODIMM Laptop memory

The video lagging is probably something else.... sounds to me like old drivers or something along those lines.

 

Is 2 x 2GB better or 1 x 4GB better?

Would this work? Samsung DDR3-1066 SODIMM 4GB Notebook Memory PC3 8500 - eBay (item 200493034787 end time Dec-04-10 15:07:54 PST)

And if I swap the RAM, would I need to turn off Virtualization too? How do you do that by the way?

I may think it is the problem with DiVX Plus Player. I think video plays fine with WMP. I paid for the pro version so I want to stick with it but I don't know anymore. It's not so much of the lagging but when I fast forward/rewind, sometimes the video will freeze. The same video plays fine on WMP 12 though.

Thanks!

 

This is a bit cheaper after the $5 off:

W1066SB4GM Super Talent DDR3-1066 SODIMM 4GB Micron Chip Notebook Memory - DDR3 SODIMM 200 Pin - SuperBiiz.com

 

you would only need to switch off virtualisation if you have uneven paired of ram, i.e. 1 gigs + 2 gigs (total of 3 gigs), or 1 gigs + 4 gigs or 2 gigs + 4 gigs, etc.

If you run them in even pair or by single stick then it is okay.

Normally it is better to run the ram in pair, but if you are intending to upgrade to 8 gigs in the future, then a single stick of 4 gigs make more sense.

 

Would this work? Samsung DDR3-1066 SODIMM 4GB Notebook Memory PC3 8500 - eBay (item 200493034787 end time Dec-04-10 15:07:54 PST)

I think I will just leave it at 4GB RAM and get 8GB or higher on next laptop. And probably install 64-bit on next clean install. 32-bit key works fine right?

 

Yeah it looks like it will work. But, you realize the price is a ripoff right?

 

Honestly, I haven't had much interest at RAM so I'm not sure what market commands. I will take some time to look over during Thanksgiving week. I plan to do another clean install with 64-bit OS around New Year, so I think I will have some time.

What is the price range for 4GB RAM in general?

 

what's the price range for 8GB of RAM for x200/201 that you guys got for? i saw about $120 but the brand is gskill and i am not sure if it's gonna break easily

 

Break?! What do you plan to do with it ? lol...


RAM on eBay:

4gb ram pc3 8500 laptop items - Get great deals on Computers Networking items on eBay.com!

I bought 2GB for $25, so 4GB for $40-50 should be easily doable.

New RAM on Newegg:

Newegg.com - Laptop Memory,4gb ram ddr3 pc3 8500

 

hehe just meant a lot of DOD and RMA on newegg reviews...
I use 80% of my 4GB RAM most of the time so I'm thinking of getting 8GB

 

I suppose Samsung RAMs are costly in general? It seems like I'm using about 1.5GB of the my 2GB RAM so I suppose I should upgrade.

4GB RAM should be adequate right?

 

Since you are 32 bit os you can't address more than 3 gigs of ram under most situations. So 1 stick of 4 gigs should be enough unless you are planning to migrate to 64 bit os.

 

I'm planning to clean install with 64-bit. I can just use 32-bit product key I purchased before and download the 64-bit ISO from NBR Windows forum right?

 

that is correct.

 

This sounds like an elementary solution, but if you're having trouble with HD video playback make sure that your power options are set to something other than 'maximum battery life.' I've noticed that I have problems with HD playback(stuttering, etc) if I'm on that setting, due to the CPU being 'locked' to the slowest multiplier.

 

It's set to maximum performance using Power Manager. I think it might be the problem with DivX Player. It seems to play the same video fine with WMP.

 

Codecs have a lot to do with video performance, particularly in WMP. I tend to like Shark007's codec packs, in my experience they handle a wider variety of content better than KLite (particularly DVDs).

 

Try VLC Media Player, it has it's own codecs.

If you have some spare time you can also try DVXA in Media Player Classic. Ask Google for more info~.

 

Yeah, I use VLC and Media Player Classic - Home Cinema, and rarely have video playblack problems. They are both free and come with their own codecs.

 

I picked up used Samsung 4GB (2GB x 2) for $35 including shipping. I'm planning to do clean install on New Year and doubt I will receive the RAM before. So do I clean install 64-bit in the meantime and replace the RAM when it arrives?

My X200 is currently on Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit with Samsung 2GB DDR3 RAM.

 

Sure, you can do clean istall now and add more RAM later.

 

It took me awhile because I didn't replace the RAM as instructed (I looked at the manual book that came with my X200). I removed both DIMMs very easily but at least 90% of the time (almost an hour), I was trying to pull the misplaced RAM out because it would not come off.

It made beeping sounds and did not boot when it was misplaced like that.

Then I found this instruction site: http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/ion/

Thank God. I guess there is first time for everything. I've changed everything else but RAM and now this figures

It says 4.00 GB but only 2.96 GB are usable. Is there reason why it is not 3.00 GB (limited by 32-bit)?

I guess I will do clean install soon.. thanks for all the help!!

 

^^ you will need 64-bit to utilize the 4gb. In my case it reports 3.90 usable.

 

Are you using a unit with Intel 4500MHD?

 

Yes

10chars

 

I also have Intel 4500 too.. is that the reason why? Seems like this becomes issue when I perform clean install. When I recover using the recovery disc, it uses full amount of RAM, instead of 3.90 GB, for example.

 

This is normal, all my Thinkpads that have 4500 MHD GPU are like this.