[SOLVED] Corsair "Mac RAM" CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 2x4 GB for Lenovo ThinkPad X201 potential compatibility issues?

[MadsModsat]

Hello everyone.

I have a friend who has an old Lenovo ThinkPad x201, which he would like to add some more RAM to (OS is 64-bit).

I can't seem to find a RAM QVL for the Lenovo Laptop, all I have found (as mentioned in the link above) is that Lenovo recommends DDR3 SODIMM 1066 MHz RAM, unnbuffered non-EEC, 8 GB maximum supported (4 GB max per module).

The most inexpensive RAM I can find ( 360,- danish krone in Denmark) with the best macthing specs to this, are the so-called "Mac RAM", which Corsair sell -part number CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 (2x4 GB, 1066MHz DDR3 SODIMM).

I've used them with a non-Mac laptop before, with no issues.

But now that I'm trying to help a friend, I don't want to recommend him something completely impossible, because he's on a fairly tight budget.

I know I could probably go with higher frequency DDR3 SODIMM modules, which should just downclock, but I'm not sure which ones to choose in that case, and Lenovo mention the 1066MHz frequency as the best option.

I've successfully used the Corsair RAM (CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7) in other laptops a long time ago, and they're the best match with regards to specs.

I'm a bit confused by Corsair's tech specs. They say tested speed 1066 MHz, but SPD is 1333MHz. Can anyone elaborate on this?
It seems backwards to me, I would expect 1333 tested speed, 1066 spd

Does anyone know if there's a chance this will work? Am I missing something obvious?

I'm not looking for 100% guarantee they'll work, there are always possible issues, but can anyone tell if they could "probably" work, if that makes sense - or if I should look for something completely different?

Thanks a lot in advance

Solution :

I installed a pair of Hynix RAM HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 (note : the H9, 1333Mhz, 1.5v - 2x4GB model)

They are downclocked to 1066Mhz as expected, and Windows 10 recognizes the full 8 GB (minus iGPU reserved memory), and CPU-z verify the frequency and that they are operating in dual channel.

 

[velocityg4]

May not work. The Lenovo uses DDR3L (low voltage, 1.35V). While the Mac RAM is 1.5V DDR3.

Here’s compatible RAM.

Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for - FREE US Delivery.

www.crucial.com

If you want to save money. Get used RAM and stick with first party manufactures (SK Hynix, Toshiba, Crucial (Micron), Samsung)

-204 PIN

• DDR3L (1.35V)
• 1600 MHz
• 2x4GB Max

 

[MadsModsat]

May not work. The Lenovo uses DDR3L (low voltage, 1.35V). While the Mac RAM is 1.5V DDR3.

Here’s compatible RAM.

Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial.com

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for - FREE US Delivery.

www.crucial.com

Thanks a lot, I'm very glad you mention it, that is important.

I did actually look into if they were DDR3 or DDR3L, but I must have been looking in the wrong place, because I reached the conclusion they were DDR3 non-L.

I'll see what alternatives I can find.

Thanks again

EDIT :

I can see the DDR3L RAM mentioned in your link are all 1600MHz, so I'm not sure wheter they are supposed to be DDR3 or DDR3L for the laptop my friend has, where 1066 MHz is recommended. I know the frequency doesn't have to be 1066MHz, it just throws me a bit off, with regard to DDR3L or non-L

I'm a bit confused by this, to be honest.

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks a lot, I'm very glad you mention it, that is important.

I did actually look into if they were DDR3 or DDR3L, but I must have been looking in the wrong place, because I reached the conclusion they were DDR3 non-L.

I'll see what alternatives I can find.

Thanks again

EDIT :

I can see the DDR3L RAM mentioned in your link are all 1600MHz, so I'm not sure wheter they are supposed to be DDR3 or DDR3L for the laptop my friend has, where 1066 MHz is recommended. I know the frequency doesn't have to be 1066MHz, it just throws me a bit off, with regard to DDR3L or non-L

I'm a bit confused by this, to be honest.

It’ll just operate at lower speeds. To match what your computer can handle.

 

[MadsModsat]

It’ll just operate at lower speeds. To match what your computer can handle.

Yes, you are right, I am aware of it, and I can see I asked my question in a wrong way, sorry.

What makes me a bit unsure is, if the recommended 1600MHz DDR3L RAM also confirm DDR3L is right for the Laptop in my link or not.

This is from my link
PC3-8500 Non-Parity (NP) Double Data Rate Three (DDR3) Technology
Two SO-DIMM Slots
The use of 1066 MHz SO DIMM memory is recommended for this system.

Unfortunately, from this I can't confirm that DDR3L is correct, although when looking at your link, it does look correct.

So what I'm confused about is not the frequency difference, but wheter the link definately confirms that DDR3L is correct.

I'm sorry for my poor explanation, I can definately understand if it is a bit confusing, but English isn't my first language, and I can't seem to think of a more easily understandable way of explaining my concers

But I've asked my friend to contact me tommorrow, and I'll have him install CPU-z or similar, so I can definately confirm wheter they are DDR3L or DDR3. It should still be in stock configuration currently, as far as I know

The important bit is that you made me aware that I needed to look into it again, so thanks a lot for that, that is a great help 😉

 

[SamirD]

So from what I can tell, this unit uses regular ddr3, not ddr3l. If you want some certainty, you need to find modules that replace (or are) any of these Lenovo part #s 55Y3708, 51J0493, 51J0494, 55Y3714, 55Y3711, 55Y3717, 78Y7385, 89Y9225 (R.2).:
https://www.compuram.biz/memory/lenovo/notebook/thinkpad/x-series/x201/?st=tab_sysinfo

The specs for these are the general ddr3-1333 1.5v modules that almost everything of this era uses, but there can be subtle changes in the module constructions (high density vs low, etc) that can make things incompatible--and that's what you trying to avoid.

 

[MadsModsat]

So from what I can tell, this unit uses regular ddr3, not ddr3l. If you want some certainty, you need to find modules that replace (or are) any of these Lenovo part #s 55Y3708, 51J0493, 51J0494, 55Y3714, 55Y3711, 55Y3717, 78Y7385, 89Y9225 (R.2).:
https://www.compuram.biz/memory/lenovo/notebook/thinkpad/x-series/x201/?st=tab_sysinfo

The specs for these are the general ddr3-1333 1.5v modules that almost everything of this era uses, but there can be subtle changes in the module constructions (high density vs low, etc) that can make things incompatible--and that's what you trying to avoid.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your help, your suggestions are very helpful and detailed.

I had my friend run HWInfo64, the RAM are 1.5 volt (so non-L DDR3), the model number is Samsung M471B5773DH0-CH9 / DDR3-1333 / PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM SO-DIMM (I couldn't find them on Samsung's site, this link seems to provide the most information).

I'll look for some alternatives to the Mac RAM, now that I have a bit more information to work with - hopefully I'll be able to narrow down my search from the part numberrs provided by SamirD.


EDIT:

The best alternative I can come up with are these Kingston Value RAM : 2 x 4 GB SO DIMM 204-pin - 1333 MHz - CL9 - 1.5 V (KVR13S9S8K2/8)

They appear to be a decent option. And I've never really had any issues with Kingston Value RAM in general.

Any thoughts on this, before I recommend the RAM to my friend?

Your help is much appreciated

 

[SamirD]

You're welcome! I found a better page for details on the existing samsung module:
https://www.compuram.biz/memory_module/m471b5773dh0-ch9/samsung.htm

If this is already what's in the system, there's a good chance that another samsung module in the series will work without an issue. Looking at the spec sheet in that link, it even gives the part numbers for a 4gb module:
M471B5273DH0-CH9 - 1333mhz
M471B5273DH0-CK0 - 1600mhz
M471B5273DH0-CMA - 1866mhz

It also specifically says in the spec sheet that all the faster modules clock down to the slower speeds and are compatible, so this gives you the freedom to buy faster modules if they are cheaper.

Those Kingston modules may work, especially if they are noted as being compatible, but the one thing I noticed when comparing them and the samsung modules of the same size is that the rank on the kingston is 1x and the samsung is 2x. (The rank on the stock samsung module is 1x, but it is also half the size.)

When searching for pictures of the Lenovo 55Y3711, the majority of these are also coming up as 2x ranking, so the kingston is different in this regard. And actually as many of these are showing with only 2x ranking (many just 'compatible' kits), I'm thinking that the kingston won't work, or at least has never been tried.

 

[MadsModsat]

You're welcome! I found a better page for details on the existing samsung module:
https://www.compuram.biz/memory_module/m471b5773dh0-ch9/samsung.htm

If this is already what's in the system, there's a good chance that another samsung module in the series will work without an issue. Looking at the spec sheet in that link, it even gives the part numbers for a 4gb module:
M471B5273DH0-CH9 - 1333mhz
M471B5273DH0-CK0 - 1600mhz
M471B5273DH0-CMA - 1866mhz

It also specifically says in the spec sheet that all the faster modules clock down to the slower speeds and are compatible, so this gives you the freedom to buy faster modules if they are cheaper.

Those Kingston modules may work, especially if they are noted as being compatible, but the one thing I noticed when comparing them and the samsung modules of the same size is that the rank on the kingston is 1x and the samsung is 2x. (The rank on the stock samsung module is 1x, but it is also half the size.)

When searching for pictures of the Lenovo 55Y3711, the majority of these are also coming up as 2x ranking, so the kingston is different in this regard. And actually as many of these are showing with only 2x ranking (many just 'compatible' kits), I'm thinking that the kingston won't work, or at least has never been tried.

Thanks a lot. Well spotted with regards to dual / single rank modules, it didn't even cross my mind.

I can add, that my friend actually went to an actual computer specialist, not even one of the questionable ones, and they recommended him one 8 GB RAM module, asking USD ~100 total for the RAM and installation. They never noticed that the laptop only supports 4 GB modules max per socket

The kind of detail you provide is way beyond what the "specialists" actually could be bothered to look into to begin with, and they even make a living from it.

I'll take a closer look at the information you posted, and see what I can dig up. I'll be extra aware of suitable Samsung modules.


As a side note :
If it seems I don't completely take your advice into account with the modules I posted, is not that I don't notice your recommendations, it is because my friend is on an extremely tight budget.

He paid USD 100 second hand for the laptop, so with his tight budget in mind, and the initial price of the purchase, he would like to keep the additional cost of the RAM at a level where price/performance is reasonably well-balanced.

The available RAM offered for sale, which should be most likely to work with the laptop, is very limited, and when looking for modules in stock, the prices quickly skyrocket.

Personally I wouldn't be limited to such a strict budget, but this situation is a little bit different with regards to price.

Back on topic - the amount of details you have provided so far, should keep me entertained for a while

 

[SamirD]

You're welcome. Yep, most of us here online helping could actually replace a lot of 'experts' with paper certifications that say they're smarter than us. 😉

The cost on 2x of these modules should be no more than $40 in the used market, and can even be obtained for free if someone nice is upgrading to 2x 8gb.

I completely understand budgets. I typically have a zero budget myself so have gotten very good at knowing what I need and how to find it at the ethically lowest possible cost.

I don't know any of the good used markets in Denmark, but I would search those avenues for these. You should be able to get them for a good price and your friend will be in good shape.

 

[MadsModsat]

I've been looking for available RAM modules which also matches any of the part numbers you listed.

All available RAM kits, specifically listed as Lenovo RAM, or Lenovo compatible RAM, are not compatible with the laptop I'm looking for RAM for. They're all 8 GB and up or DDR4.

There's not even a single Samsung DDR3 SODIMM 4GB module currently available for purchase online where I live. There are some Samsung sticks available, but thet are all 8GB (pr module) or more.

I came across some Kingston Value RAM 2x4GB (KCP316SS8/4) listed as compatible with Lenonvo, however the part numbers listed as being compatible, doesn't include any of the part numbers listed in this thread - only Lenovo 0A65723.

And when looking up all compatible Lenovo laptops on Kingston's own support page for the KCP316SS8/4, the laptop my friend has (Thinkpad x201), isn't listed.

All 4GB modules I'm able to find are single-rank. Dual-rank modules are all 8GB capcity per module and up.

So I'm considering either buying 2 x 4 GB KCP316SS8/4 (1600MHz, CL11, but not a "matched kit") or KVR13S9S8K2/8 (1333MHz, CL9, "matched kit")

These are the avbailable option which fits the majority of the specifications, although not all.

If they don't work, they can be returned - but there are some expenses added when returning the RAM if they are in 100% working order and the packaging has been opened.
I'd like to avoid this, but it is at least an option.

There were no better macthces available on the 2nd hand market (there are only 3 primary 2nd hand markets here - Facebook and two other reliable markets. Facebook is a bit hit and miss with regards to actually recieving the products paid for or not.)

In short - right now, it seems I have the best chance with one of these two options (the price is similar between the two options) :

KCP316SS8/4 - 4 GB DDR3 SODIMM 204-pin, single rank, 1600 MHz, CL11, non-matched kit (compatible with some Lenovo laptops)

KVR13S9S8K2/8 - 4 GB DDR3 SODIMM, 204-pin, single rank, 1333 MHz, CL9, matched kit

To me, the second option seems like the best one to try, unless I've missed something obvious - any thoughts on that?

You're welcome. Yep, most of us here online helping could actually replace a lot of 'experts' with paper certifications that say they're smarter than us. 😉

I've spent a lot of time on forums on and off since early 2000s trying to learn from others, and see if I could offer any advice myself. Some forums are an incredible source for knowledge and experience, and it is free.

Sometimes people are not aware of the actual value of the advice they recieve (ignoring the bad ones), which is perfectly fine, but I've met a lot of people who are surprised when they have to pay for the same advice at a specialist.

Unfortunately, laptops have never really caught my attention. I know enough to recommend a current model for a friend or familiy, or to pick one for myself. Other than that, I have very little knowledge about laptops.

I'm not unfamiliar when it comes to RAM for desktops, but eventhough the RAM technology is pretty much the same for laptops, I feel like there are a more restrictions to pay attention to, which reduces the available options in some situations. Sort of similar to the limitations to potential upgrades for some OEM pre-build desktops.

I've actually never bought RAM for a laptop which didn't work. But that was for myself, and I was aware they might not work.
It is just different when it is for someone else.

So unless I'm completely wrong, I'm considering to recommend the 2nd RAM option posted above, and keep my fingers crossed. I have told my friend, that they might not work, and he's fine with that.
So it is not the end of the world if it doesn't work, I just don't like giving poor advice to other people

(Sorry for the wall of text)

 

[MadsModsat]

My friend was offered these 2nd hand Hynix RAM HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 (it is the H9, 1333Mhz, 1.5v - 2x4GB model), and they are the same specs as the Kingston RAM I had recommended him.

I just installed the Hynix RAM, and they work perfectly fine.
They are downclocked to 1066Mhz as expected, but Windows 10 recognizes the full 8 GB (minus iGPU reserved memory), and CPU-z verifies the frequency and that they are operating in dual channel.

Thanks a lot for your advice and help, it is much aprreciated - it was a great help.

 

[SamirD]

Sorry for the delayed reply. Looking at both of those Kingston spec sheets, they both seemed very close in spec to each other so either of them would have been good to try. And the hynix ones were great to hear were a perfect fit. Luckily, with ddr3 the potential issues are not as great as ddr4, but as you mentioned, laptops do have that bit of 'finicky' that you find on oem desktops.

You're very welcome, and I'm glad your friend got a nice upgrade. 😀