Upgrading RAM in a lenovo ThinkPad T420

Wed Jul 19 22:02:15 UTC 2023

On 20/7/23 05:11, Bret Busby wrote:
> On 20/7/23 04:16, Ian Bruntlett wrote:
>> Hi Bret,
>>
>> On Wed, 19 Jul 2023 at 21:05, Bret Busby <bret at busby.net 
>> <mailto:bret at busby.net>> wrote:
>>
>>     I tried to view the specs of what you are looking to buy, but the
>>     amazon
>>     web site has some recaptcha (should be more appropriately named 
>> gotcha)
>>     malignancy.
>>
>> Yes. Amazon can be a bit funny like that. So I checked Crucial's 
>> online shop and they are out of stock.
>>
>> Here are the details from the Amazon page I was looking at:
>> Crucial CT2K102464BF186D 16 GB Kit (8 GB x 2) (DDR3L, 1866 MT/s, 
>> PC3-14900, SODIMM, 204-Pin) Memory Brand: Crucial
>>
>> HTH,
>>
>>
>> Ian
>>
>>     Do the specs (apart from the capacity) match what you have now, 
>> or, the
>>     RAM specs that I posted in a previous message?
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> -- ACCU - Professionalism in programming - http://www.accu.org 
>> <http://www.accu.org>
>> -- My writing - https://sites.google.com/site/ianbruntlett/ 
>> <https://sites.google.com/site/ianbruntlett/>
>> -- Free Software page - 
>> https://github.com/ian-bruntlett/TECH-Manuals/blob/main/tm-free-software.md <https://github.com/ian-bruntlett/TECH-Manuals/blob/main/tm-free-software.md>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> Okay.
> 
> At Amazon Australia, is
> 
> "Brand     ‎Crucial
> Manufacturer     ‎Crucial Technology
> Model     ‎CT2K102464BF186D
> Model Name     ‎DDR3/DDR3L 1866 MT/s SODIMM Memory
> Model year     ‎2015
> Part Number     ‎CT2K102464BF186D
> RAM Size     ‎16 GB
> Memory Storage Capacity     ‎16 GB
> Memory technology     ‎SODIMM DDR3-1866
> Ram Memory Installed Size     ‎16
> Ram Memory Technology     ‎DDR3
> Computer Memory Type     ‎DDR3 SDRAM
> Digital storage capacity     ‎16 GB
> Compatible Devices     ‎Laptop
> Special Features     ‎nv: Company Program^Crucial | 
> Configuration^1024Meg x 64 | DDR Timings^CL=13 | DIMM Type^Unbuffered | 
> Density^16GB kit (8GBx2) | Error Checking^NON-ECC | Megabytes^16384 | 
> Memory Type^DDR3 PC3-14900 | Package^204-pin SODIMM | Platform 
> Category^DDR3 | Replenishment Flag^N | Speed^DDR3-1866 | Voltage^1.35V | 
> VolumeDiscountBucket^LOW
> Mounting Hardware     ‎RAM memory
> Number of items     ‎2
> Colour Screen     ‎No
> Aspect Ratio     ‎Unknown
> Voltage     ‎1.35 Volts
> Batteries Included     ‎No
> Batteries Required     ‎No
> Data Transfer Rate     ‎1866 MHz
> Form Factor     ‎SO-DIMM
> Device type     ‎PC Memory
> Does it contain liquid?     ‎No
> Has Auto Focus     ‎No
> Includes Rechargeable Battery     ‎No
> Has Programmable Buttons     ‎No
> Product dimensions     ‎17.78 x 1.12 x 12.7 cm; 20 Grams
> Item Weight     ‎20 g
> Department     ‎Default Category
> Manufacturer     ‎Crucial Technology
> ASIN     ‎B00JCRZ6XS
> Item Model Number     ‎CT2K102464BF186D
> Is discontinued by manufacturer     ‎No
> Date First Available     ‎13 November 2017
> 
> "
> 
> At
> https://harddiskdirect.com/ct2k102464bf186d-crucial-laptop-memory.html
> is
> 
> "
> Technical Specification.
> Technical Specifications
> Manufacturer    Crucial
> Kit    Kit of 2
> Error Correction    non-ECC Unbuffered
> tested_speed    1866MHz
> PC Type    DDR3-1866/PC3-14900
> Memory Type    DDR3
> Load Reduced    No
> CAS Latency    CL13
> Details
> CT2K102464BF186D - Crucial 16GB Kit (2X8GB) DDR3-1866MHz PC3-14900 
> Non-ECC Unbuffered CL13 204-Pin SODIMM 1.35V Dual Rank Memory
> "
> 
> At
> https://memory.net/product/hmt351s6bfr8c-h9-sk-hynix-1x-4gb-ddr3-1333-sodimm-pc3-10600s-dual-rank-x8-module/
> 
> is
> 
> "
> HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 Specifications
> 
> Capacity
>      4GB
> Memory Type
>      DDR3
> ECC
>      Non-ECC
> DIMM Type
>      SODIMM
> Rank
>      2Rx8
> Speed
>      1333
> Voltage
>      1.5V
> Height
>      STD
> Qty
>      1
> Module Name
>      PC3-10600S
> Made By
>      SK Hynix
> Density
>      2G
> Depth
>      512M
> Pins
>      204 pin
> Full DIMM Type
>      USODIMM
> Width
>      x64
> Die Generation
>      3rd
> Package Type
>      FBGA
> Die Package
>      SDP
> Package Material
>      Lead Free & Halogen Free
> Organization
>      x8
> Temperature
>      Commercial Temp & Normal Power
> CL
>      9
> TRCD
>      9
> TRP
>      9
> "
> 
> Now, I do not pretend to be any kind of expert.
> 
> But, in comparing what your installed RAM shows
> "
> Handle 0x0006, DMI type 17, 28 bytes
> Memory Device
> Array Handle: 0x0005
> Error Information Handle: Not Provided
> Total Width: 64 bits
> Data Width: 64 bits
> Size: 4096 MB
> Form Factor: SODIMM
> Set: None
> Locator: ChannelA-DIMM0
> Bank Locator: BANK 0
> Type: DDR3
> Type Detail: Synchronous
> Speed: 1333 MT/s
> Manufacturer: Hynix/Hyundai
> Serial Number: 621925BC
> Asset Tag: 9876543210
> Part Number: HMT351S6BFR8C-H9
> Rank: Unknown
> 
> "
> ,
> 
> Both are 204 pin SODIMM
> 
> The Crucial is DDR3L; the Hynix is DDR3 - the height of the Hynix is 
> shown to be "STD", so, I assume, not Laptop RAM, but, standard RAM, 
> whereas the Crucial appears to be laptop RAM - "DDR3L", but, in finding 
> and adding the spec from Amazon Australia, that says DDR3/DDR3L, so, I 
> assume that is not a problem.
> 
> The speed of the Hynix is 1333; the speed of the Crucial is 1866 (up to)
> 
> Both are non-ECC buffered
> 
> The Crucial is 1.35V; the Hynix is 1.5V
> 
> Both 64 bit
> 
> The main difference that I find, is the difference in voltage.
> 
> I am not sufficiently knowledgeable, to give a worthwhile opinion as to 
> whether that is significant - only to draw your attention to the 
> difference.
> 
> I am sorry that I cannot help you further in that, but, I hope that 
> drawing your attention to the voltage difference, as the only 
> significant difference that I found, is helpful.
> 
> ..
> Bret Busby
> Armadale
> West Australia
> (UTC+0800)
> ..............
> 
At

https://blog.memory4less.com/2017/01/31/low-voltage-ram-vs-standard-ram-modules-what-is-the-difference/

by definition, the Crucial RAM is low voltage; the Hynix is high voltage.

"
What are Low Voltage RAM Modules?

The low voltage Memory Modules are a newer generation of computer 
memory. The term ‘low-voltage’ implies that the RAM requires less power 
(1.25V or 1.35V) to operate at 1600MHz. On the other hand, the normal 
RAM modules deliver the same result at 1.5V or 1.65V. This translates 
into low stress on the CPU and more space for overclocking at a higher 
voltage.

WORD OF CAUTION: It should be noted that low voltage RAM will not be 
supported by all motherboards. Make sure you check the specifications of 
your motherboard before ordering low voltage DIMM modules online.
Which is better: Low Voltage RAM modules or High Voltage (Normal) RAM 
Modules?

A LV module is preferred because it consumes less electricity and 
provides the same speed. Although it doesn’t matter much for normal use, 
the ability of these RAMs to work on low voltage becomes a significant 
factor for overclocking.

For example, a 1.25V RAM module operating at 1600MHz can be overclocked 
to 1866MHz or even up to 2133MHz. A 1.5V RAM probably cannot be 
overclocked this way.

This is one of the many reasons why low Volt Memory Chips are better 
than High Voltage RAM modules.
"

 From the "Word of Caution", if you have the manual for the computer, I 
believe that it would be worth looking for the specifications of the 
motherboard, and, finding (if you can) whether the motherboard would 
support the lower voltage of the Crucial RAM.

..
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
(UTC+0800)
..............