Upgrading RAM in a lenovo ThinkPad T420

[Bret Busby]

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?
> 
> 
> -- 
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> <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)
..............