Adding more memory to ThinkPad T530

[enthusiastic]

Hi,

I placed an order for ThinkPad T530 (Win 8 Pro, i7-3630QM, NVIDIA NVS 5400M 1GB) with a 4GB 1600MHz stick. I also have ordered Samsung 840 Pro 256 which will replace the stock HDD.

Now, I want to add more memory to it. I would use heavy multi-tab browsing, coding, heavy utorrent usage, photoshop, some gaming, HD movies, MATLAB. I always want to keep my laptop in standby mode when not in use (I don't like shutdowns).

The tech rep said my laptop supports upto 16GB. I am confused between these options:

1. Keep the stock 4GB 1600 MHz memory and add this: Samsung Electronics Extreme Low Voltage 30nm SODIMM 8 Dual Channel Kit DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM MV-3T4G3D/US = 12GB

2. Remove the stock 4GB 1600MHz memory and add the one mentioned in 1. = 8GB

3. Remove the stock 4GB 1600 MHz memory and add this: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory (CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10) = 16GB

They say the one in 1. overclocks like no other and goes upto 2133MHz. How significant is the difference? Is it good only for benchmarking(I am not interested in benchmarking)? Since products in 1 and 3 are pretty much similar in stock speeds, should I go for more memory (3) or take 1 and overclock it? Also, is Corsair inferior to Samsung (or other way round)? The reviews are good for both.

Suggestions much needed.

 

[cin19]

I will go for the option #3.

 

[enthusiastic]

I will go for the option #3.

Thank you for your reply. Any reason as to why you would select that option?

 

[cin19]

1) you need more RAM for video/photo editing, and works on multiple tasks.
2) From money/performances,you don't want to pay more % to get less % better performance. 1600MHZ RAM has good money/performances rate.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/quad-channel-ddr3-memory-review,3100.html

 

[enthusiastic]

OK. Would the samsung sticks work well with the lenovo stock stick? How would this config of 12GB fare against the 16GB config?

 

[cin19]

It is depend on the size of files for the photoshop or video editing. If for regular usage you only need 8GB RAM, for most of commercial/professional usage they use at least 16GB RAM.

I don't use the MATLAB (mini. 2GB), utorrent (intelnet speed), but those will only use small amount of RAMs.

 

[enthusiastic]

Thanks. I only do photoshop for recreational purposes. I will wait for some more time, if I get a good price for 16GB, then I'll go ahead. Else, 8GB seems to be good enough for me.

 

[enthusiastic]

Best answer selected by enthusiastic.