Additional memory for T61p

Hello

My T61p only has 2GB of installed memory, but I would like to increase it to 4GB. How do I do this?

My understanding is that I can't take out the existing 2GB memory card in the laptop and replace it with a 4GB one. Instead I have to buy an additional 2GB memory. Is the additional 2GB memory an extra card that I insert somewhere else in the laptop or is it a USB card that I stick in the USB slot?

Also, do you recommend getting the additional 2GB memory card via Lenovo or can a different brand be used?

Thanks

 

You can take out both ram sticks and put 2x 2GB sticks in. There should be 2 slots for ram in the T61p. You don't need to buy manufacturer's ram, any brand will be fine.

What you need!
- 200pin SODIMM (notebook ram which are shorter than desktop ram)
- 667mhz DDR2 5300(aka 5400, no difference)

Hope this helps.

 

Hi.

I'm going to assume your T61P has 1 DIMM (1 stick of RAM) and not 2. If it does only have one 2gb stick, you're going to want to buy another 2gb stick with the same exact specifications. I recommend going here and looking around. If you do not decide to purchase something from newegg, look around here: DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) .

There's no USB sticks involved with upgrading your RAM, unless you plan on using ReadyBoost, but that's for another time...

However, you will need to do some unscrewing and removing to get a new dimm (stick) in place.

Here are some threads on here you might want to look at:
t61p RAM upgrade
Ram Upgrade for T61p

Also, here's a detailed guide (with pictures ) on how to install/replace your RAM in your laptop.

Hope I helped.

 

Thanks Synic. There is also Memory available to purchase from the Lenovo website. The URL is: http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...oreId=10000036&langId=036&categoryId=13865526. Would the "Part number 40Y7735 - 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM MEMORY" serve this purpose?

My Thinkpad is T61p 6459A24. In the specs, it states the following:
Memory
Memory (RAM) std. / max.[8] 2 GB / 4 GB
RAM slots total 2 SODIMM
RAM slots available 0 SODIMM
RAM speed supported 667 MHz
Memory Type DDR2 SDRAM

Sorry I am not tech-savvy.

 

I would not buy RAM directly from lenovo because it's wayyyyy overpriced. A reseller such as newegg is much, much cheaper, and faster. Anyway, is what you listed your machine... ?

If this is your laptop, then apparently you do infact have 2gb of ram, but you have 2 DIMMS (2 separate sticks) which means if you buy a 2gb stick of RAM from somewhere else, you will only have 3gb all together once you install it because you will need to replace it with one of the two already in your laptop.

EDIT: I just noticed you live in Australia...

 

Yeah I'm in Oz Therefore, if my existing 2GB of RAM is made up of 2 DIMMS, then each stick would be 1GB each? If I wanted to have 4GB of RAM, should I buy 2x2GB sticks and take out both the existing 1GB sticks, or buy a 1x3GB stick and take out one of the existing 1GB sticks?

What's a reliable (ie. not one that is dirt cheap) and proven performer brand of memory sticks?

I am assuming that newegg delivers to Oz ?

 

You won't find a 3gb stick of ram
And yes, if you have 2 sticks of RAM currently, then you have 2x1GB. If you want to have 4GB total, buy 2x2GB.

As for brands... i'd buy from any of these: Corsair, Kingston, G.Skill, Crucial, OCZ

Here is a link to 4GB (2x2GB) packages on newegg: link

Problem is, newegg does not ship internationally. I'd look around there though and then try and find a reseller located in Australia, or somewhere that will ship to you.

You could try FRYS. I think they do international shipping.

 

you know what's funny? my first name is ed and my last name begins with an h.

 

Thanks for all your help Synic. I am strongly thinking of buying the T61p 6459A24. 2gb RAM, 200GB HD, T9300 2.5GHz, 256MB nVIDIA Quadro FX 570M. The price isn't bad in Australia for it, and I don't really need one of the new models coming out soon. You reckon the specs are OK?

 

Ha ha. I ain't stalking you I promise ! What's the 2nd letter of your surname? Mine is "O"

 

Ohh, so you don't even have the laptop yet? Well then..

I'd say go for it if you have the money. I just bought a T61p and I'm loving it so far. Well worth it.

However, if you are actually planning on purchasing 2x2GB after you buy the laptop, why not just spec your laptop with one 1GB DIMM? Or one 2GB DIMM and then buy another 2GB stick? It would be dumb to buy a laptop with two 1GB sticks if you are planning on upgrading.

 

Hmmm I didn't know that you could change the spec of the memory at the time of purchase. If the standard config is 2x1GB DIMM, would it cost extra to change it to 1x2GB DIMM given that the result is still 2GB RAM?

Also, how do you get by with only a 80GB HD?

Have you had any issues with your new T61p? Is the screen bright enough?

 

is this what you want to buy? and i guess you can't customize a laptop when purchasing it in australia?

 

Yes it's the one I want to purchase. I don't believe that customising the machine is available in Australia.

 

What do you plan to do with the computer. If it is just word processing, internet, email and office applications, that should be enough.

It's pretty easy upgrading the memory of your T61p. You have to remove the palmrests first by unscrewing a set of screws on the bottom of the notebook. Then you remove the palmrests and the cable that connects the motherboard to the touchpad. You don't really have to fully remove the cable that attaches to the touchpad and you can make the palmrest sit on the front edge of the notebook (third photo) but you must be careful not to accidentally move the palmrest too far.

Now you have full access to the area underneath the touchpad where the memory is installed. Note: I forgot if I had to remove a secondary plate or not.

You will now see that both of your memory sockets are full. To remove the existing memory, pull the metal tabs on the end of the plastic memory slot outwards (ie: towards the side of your notebook) and the memory module will pop out.

To install the new memory, match up the pin arrangement of the memory socket to your new memory and press gently until you hear a 'click'. Your memory is now installed.

Palmrest removed:


View of ram sockets. Note the metal tabs at the ends of the bracket that hold the memory. To the right of the memory is the cable that attaches to the palmrest/touchpad.


Palmrest is resting on front edge of computer.


New memory installed.

 

Nice pics, nice work.

I'm using a T61p with very similar specs to the ones ed_h wants to buy.

Ed, if you're going to do some CAD work I'll let you know now that its great for it and will handle the newest stuff like bread on butter. As far as everything else, other than gaming, it will be perfect.

 

Thanks mziol.

The T61p I am thinking of getting (6459A24) comes with Windows Vista Ultimate 32. Although the laptop can accommodate a maximum of 4GB RAM, I think I read somewhere that because its only a 32-bit Operating System that the maximum RAM it can take is 3GB. 4GB RAM would only be available if it is a 64-bit OS. Is this correct?

 

Nice pictures those will certainly help some others

 

Thanks.

I only wished that they made the notebook so that the memory slots were accessed under some door on the underside of the notebook instead of under the touchpad.

It wasn't difficult to do the memory install, but I initially had some reservations about ripping open my brand new T61!