T61 4GB RAM

[Mindfulness Quebec]

I haven't been playing with these things for a few years and I need someone to remind me: What do you call the 4GB ram sticks that you can put in a T61? Please excuse my dumb sounding question, but I haven't cracked open a ThinkPad case since about '17 or '18.

[atagunov]

I haven't been playing with these things for a few years and I need someone to remind me: What do you call the 4GB ram sticks that you can put in a T61? Please excuse my dumb sounding question, but I haven't cracked open a ThinkPad case since about '17 or '18.

DDR2 SO-DIMM I guess is the base spec, non-ECC

To give more specifics, let me check http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T61 it says PC2-5300, but I think speed designation here is more or less red-herring, a DDR2 SO-DIMM of any speed will work.. but more importantly that page links to http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/PC2-5300 which apart from reassuringly saying

PC2-5300 is getting increasingly difficult to acquire, PC2-6400 can be used instead

also adds the last missing bit of info in footnote number 3 specifically on T61:

8Gb ... Attained via two 2Rx8 4GB DDR2 non-ECC SO-UDIMMs, not possible with 1Rx8 4GB DDR2 non-ECC SO-UDIMMs. (if they do exist)

So I guess that's the final bit of truth: 2Rx8 4GB DDR2 non-ECC SO-DIMMs. I believe anything that matches this designation should work.. Though the general wisdom was to stick with brands which used be considered more well-known in the era

[Mindfulness Quebec]

Thank you very much for that comprehensive reply!

[RealBlackStuff]

PC2-5300/DDR2-667 is one option, PC2-6400/DDR2-800 is another, better and usually cheaper option.
Go for brand-name non-ECC SO-DIMMs from the likes of Hynix, Elpida, Axiom, Crucial, Kingston, Micron, Samsung

[kfzhu1229]

I am pretty sure to use 4GB DIMMs you also need a BIOS update.
For 2GB DIMMs it's better to find them in local markets. Since you are in Quebec try Kijiji or Facebook or something.
Many times I get them locally for just a few bucks while on eBay they obviously sell much higher than this.
Though personally I would rather either stick with 3GB of RAM and go for x86 OS or 6/8GB of RAM and go for x64.

[Mindfulness Quebec]

I put 8 GB on another one and there were no problems. The only issue AFAIK is that Lenovo originally specified the 61 as having a maximum capacity of 2 X 2 GB for the simple reason that the 4 GB SIMMS didn't exist yet.

[cadillacmike68]

You do not need a BIOS update to put in two 4GB Ram modules, but the Middleton BIOS is one of the best things you can do to a T61.

[dibud01]

Hi! Help me please: will it fit for my T61p 6460-DVU this 8gb RAM kit:
2x4Gb DDR2 Samsung M470T5267AZ3 CL6 PC2-6400S-800Mhz? Will it work?
Thanks

[RealBlackStuff]

Yes.

[cadillacmike68]

I haven't been playing with these things for a few years and I need someone to remind me: What do you call the 4GB ram sticks that you can put in a T61? Please excuse my dumb sounding question, but I haven't cracked open a ThinkPad case since about '17 or '18.

One word:

Expensive. But well worth it

[Mindfulness Quebec]

That T61 with discrete graphics and 1400 X 1050 screen is such a sweet format. The ergonomics never got any better than that.

[RealBlackStuff]

That T61 with discrete graphics and 1400 X 1050 screen is such a sweet format. The ergonomics never got any better than that.

But it was a lot better BEFORE!
As not unusual, Lenono screwed up the 14.1" non-widescreen T61 aesthetics.
Swap that T61 lid with one from a matching T60, put the SXGA+ in and all of a sudden the looks are 100% improved!

[Mindfulness Quebec]

If the T60 lid screws right in I'll have to try that---it's lighter and slimmer too. I have a box of the T60's, some with very bright 1400 X 1050 panels in them.