Thinkpad extra RAM

[poslushnik]

Hey Everybody! I just got R51 Thinkpad and I love it. The only thing, it has only 256 RAM. Do you think I should install more? I never owned a computer with 512 RAM, so I do not know how much it would improve if I add one more memory chip. For some reason IBM sells ones with 512 RAM for too large price ...

Also, do you think it is safe to install one more chip? Somehow, after getting a new laptop, I'm afraid giving it to somebody to do such an operation - what if they break it?

If you recommend buying extra RAM, which one would you recommend (some compromise between the price and quality would be the best)?

Any other advises to new R51 user?

Thank you,
Pasha

 

[juancferrer]

running XP with 512mb RAM seems to be the sweetspot. If you haven't had the need to go over 256mb RAM, just stick another 256mb stick on the laptop. Just get some cheap crucial sticks, and install them yourself. It takes 2min to install, the hard part is finding a screwdriver to open up the place where the ram goes

 

[poslushnik]

Thank you. So, you say that any 256 chip would work? The guy from tech support I asked said that there many different kinds, the price ranges from 60$ to 200$. Are the cheapest ones ok?

 

[poslushnik]

Please bump.

 

[slyedog]

i use the cheap ones in my t-30. upgraded to 512mb and makes it run so much smoother

 

[poslushnik]

Ok, thank you. Just a friend of mine says that for laptops not every memory works. But since already two people tell me that the cheapest one works, I'll try that.

 

[paranoidandroid]

i noticed a difference between 512mb and 1gb of ram. although it wasn't significant, the difference was definitely there, especially when playing games. i think 512mb is more than enough though

 

[jdiddy]

Originally posted by: paranoidandroid
i noticed a difference between 512mb and 1gb of ram. although it wasn't significant, the difference was definitely there, especially when playing games. i think 512mb is more than enough though

 

[cy7878]

I think you are better off buying a 512MB stick. Cheapest I have seen was in a CC store for $85. You can always order from Newegg for about $90 for a PC2700 stick. As long as the RAM is by a reputable company and has proper specs, then cheap is definitely okay.

 

[poslushnik]

Thank you, everybody. I did not find apropriate stick in local store, so I ordered 256 2700 one from www.crucial.com It was 50$, and 512 was twice that, so I decided to go with 256.

BTW, thanks to everybody just for this forum. I decided to buy IBM after reading through some laptop topics, and so far I'm happy with it.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: poslushnik
Thank you, everybody. I did not find apropriate stick in local store, so I ordered 256 2700 one from www.crucial.com It was 50$, and 512 was twice that, so I decided to go with 256.

BTW, thanks to everybody just for this forum. I decided to buy IBM after reading through some laptop topics, and so far I'm happy with it.

You did order a SODIMM, right? 200-pin, not the 184-pin? As long as it's PC2700 200pin (SODIMM) memory, virtually anything would work--crucial is always a good choice. Their customer service is awesome.

 

[poslushnik]

Its the foloowing. I do not see it say 200-pin ... On the other hand, it was the one recommended by Crucial for my R51 1836. I thought they know what to recommend, was I wrong?

Crucial Part Number: CT368236
256MB

DDR PC2700 ? Unbuffered ? Non-parity ? DDR333 ? 2.5V ? 32Meg x 64

 

[jeffbui]

Originally posted by: poslushnik
Its the foloowing. I do not see it say 200-pin ... On the other hand, it was the one recommended by Crucial for my R51 1836. I thought they know what to recommend, was I wrong?

Crucial Part Number: CT368236
256MB

DDR PC2700 ? Unbuffered ? Non-parity ? DDR333 ? 2.5V ? 32Meg x 64

That's the right one. Good choice. Crucial sometimes supplies IBM with RAM so you know you're getting top quality going with them.

 

[bioyuki]

My T42 comes with 512MB and I'm planning on adding in another 512MB stick

 

[maximo]

I have a t40... is there actually a forum for ibm thinkpads?

 

[Wuzup101]

I think www.thinkpads.com is still up and they have a forum