1066 vs 1333 memory in T410s

Lenovo offers both speeds of memory on their site but in the PSREF it says the T410s has an "integrated DDR3 memory controller (up to 1066MHz)". I'm going to get the computer with 2MB and upgrade the RAM myself but before I get the 1066 memory I thought I'd check with the gurus here if there would be any benefit to putting in 1333 memory.

I would have waited for the Sandy Bridge refresh but all signs point to that having a 16:9 screen and there is a 40% off coupon right now (for Canada, coupon code CAPREDFLAGDEALBOXINGDAY).

 

Well, if the chipset doesn't support 1333 MHz, the memory will work on 1066 MHz. I'm not sure what the actual real-life difference would be even if it did, though.

 

Mine is 6 GB with the configuration of 4 GB OCZ 1333 Mhz and 2 GB Hynix 1065 Mhz. HWInfo32 reports that the system runs in 1066 Mhz.

 

I hope you get more than 2MB. It's kind of helpful to get your computer to accomplish something beyond the POST.

I would just get 1066MHz. I got 1333MHz when I upgraded recently, but that was because the Newegg Black Friday deal was on the 1333MHz memory.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll put at least 4 megs of 1066, possibly 8. I just pulled the trigger on it:


Processor Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system Language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 14.1" WXGA+ (1440 x 900) display with LED backlight

System graphics NVIDIA Quadro NVS3100M Optimus Graphics 512MB, Intel Core i5-560M Processor

Total memory 2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

Keyboard Language Keyboard - US English

Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader

Camera Integrated Camera Module

Hard drive 128GB Solid State Drive

Optical device DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim

System expansion slots 3-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader

Battery 6 Cell Li Ion Prismatic Battery

Power Cord 90W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)

Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2

WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 AGN

Language pack Publication - US English


Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $150.07

[CAPREDFLAGDEALBOXINGDAY]: -$769.60
Total: $1,304.47

 

Wonders when it's going to sink in.

 

Oops!

10 char

 

I use 3GB as recommended here and really it works perfect for anything. I'd recommended upgrading it yourself rather than from Lenovo (quite a bit cheaper). Same for an SSD. It takes literally 5 mins to put those things in the laptop yourself.

 

Yes, I noticed the coupons don't apply to upgrades. Anyways, the basic version with integrated graphics and mechanical HDD would have only been about $200 less than my configuration. I wouldn't be able to add an aftermarket SSD for that amount, and between the (integrated graphics + SSD) version vs the (Optimus + SSD) version, the latter is actually a few bucks cheaper.

 

Check on amazon and ebay. You can get the Newer 1333mhz and use that and upgrade later..when you sell the T410's..and keep the memory

 

if you run 2 different speeds of ram the computer will run at the SLOWER speed

 

Thanks all for your replies.

At the time of my original post, a local shop had Patriot 4GB 1066 rams on a one-day sale at $45 (Canadian) and I was about to jump on that. However, checking through other forums I found at least one report from a T410 user that Patriot did not work on his machine so I began looking into other options.

Just like it was cheaper to take Optimus instead of the integrated graphics, I found that many places actually sell 1333 memory cheaper than 1066. Crucial seemed to be well recommended and since they have 1333 cheaper than 1066, I now have 8Gigs of 1333 on the way direct from them.

 

There was an 8GB kit on Newegg for $95 the other day.

The memory speed is depedent actually on the memory controller. The memory controller on the Arrandale generation is actually within the CPU and NOT the chipset.

So if you have a faster and slow stick of RAM it will actually set the clockrate to whatever the memory controller is set to. Often enthusiast motherboard BIOS controlled allow you to tweak with memory frequency, but I suspect if you don't install at least 1066Mhz, that machine won't even post. This also means 1333Mhz gives no advantage whatsoever as it will simply run @1066Mhz, especially given you are putting itin a thinkpad (and just about any laptop, really).

Btw buying through Lenovo=massive price gouging on RAM and storage upgrades (still)

 

Well, there was a small advantage financially. The 1333 was a few bucks cheaper than the 1066.

 

This is correct. 1333Mhz is only better when Intel decide to move to 1333Mhz and still stick with DDR3.