How to choose a DDR2 ram for Laptop?

Forums › Desktop computing › How to choose a DDR2 ram for Laptop?

pstar008

362 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#26600 27-Sep-2008 14:01

Hi there, I am looking for change my laptop ram from 2 * 512M to 2 * 1024M , module is Thinkpad Z60t and memory module currently have is
DDR2-533, is that any laptop DDR2-533 would be fit into have no issue such as this Kingston one? I am little concerned as is says something like :OEM "PART NUMBER(S): LC.MEM01.008", not sure it will suit my laptop or not?

Also, I think buying a DDR2-667 one wouldn't give me any performance advagtage, but it shouldn't be any compatibility issues if I buy one or this DDR2-5300 one right?

Sparky221

66 posts

Master Geek

#167501 27-Sep-2008 14:30

This may be helpfull...
http://www.ascent.co.nz/Kingston.aspx

pstar008

362 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#167545 27-Sep-2008 23:32

Thank you for the link, I already had that part number, but thanks for the infor!

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#167628 28-Sep-2008 21:53

Memory compatibility can be strange. I bought some laptop memory from Dick Smith, putting it onto my Lenovo by itself was fine but with the existing memory chip, the laptop booted but the display failed to work. Anyway, I think the personal touch is called for. Phone up the local Dick Smiths and see if they will install the memory for you, or if you don't want that, ask if you can return the memory (they said they'd install it when I asked that).

As for speed, there should no compatibility issues, but you never know. until you try. The memory selector from kingston.com suggests 533MHz, and there should be no reason to get a faster memory.

eXDee

4033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1070

Trusted

#167729 29-Sep-2008 12:29

timestyles: Memory compatibility can be strange. I bought some laptop memory from Dick Smith, putting it onto my Lenovo by itself was fine but with the existing memory chip, the laptop booted but the display failed to work. Anyway, I think the personal touch is called for. Phone up the local Dick Smiths and see if they will install the memory for you, or if you don't want that, ask if you can return the memory (they said they'd install it when I asked that).

As for speed, there should no compatibility issues, but you never know. until you try. The memory selector from kingston.com suggests 533MHz, and there should be no reason to get a faster memory.

Just a note that DSE is by far not the cheapest place to buy RAM. If i remember correctly they charge $20-40 for ram installation, which imo is very steep.
I'd suggest going to your local computer shop (eg Ascent or Computerlounge for auckland) and getting them to install it. The price should be a lot lower and i know this is making generalisations, but the staff would tend to be more experienced than the DSE staff for things like this.

pstar008

362 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#167739 29-Sep-2008 13:03

Actually I did check DSE website for Ram last night, but seems there are very limited selections avaliable.

Talking about install ram, I woulnd't trust anyone unless I have good experience with them already. I have a guy in PBTech install
Ram for a brand new Thinkpad a couple of years ago. I could install by myself easily, but I am being lazy and not sure about warranty
and as I bought both Ram and Laptop in PBTech, I just let them install them for me. But you know what, that guy maka my touchpad
connection loose or forget put it back! Also, I found a spare screw in my package (not sealed in a plastic bag or anything), I put them
all back to my Laptop by myself but spent a good half day trrying to figure out why I couldn't enable the touchpad anywhere.

Oh, about my proposed Ram upgrade, I know a DDR2-533 with CL4 model recommand from Lenovo should be a safe bet, and it could even
be slightly faster than a DDR-667 CL5. But I really want squeeze any possible performance and found that Kingston HyperX DDR2-667 CL4
looks quite promising, as I assume it could and should run at DDR2-533 CL3 in my laptop. But I couldn't find any compitibility information
even from kingston's web site(the link is brokent or something)! The shop I am going to order will not refund it if I found it is nont compitible
with my computer. I sent Kingston a request for information, not sure what will be their response.