HyperX Memory Upgrade on E520 - Need Advice [ Edited ]

[lenora]

I have 4GB of RAM and wanting to upgrade to 8GB.  I'm considering getting HyperX RAM.  I'm not a gamer, but I use the computer heavily each day, with many programs/windows open.  I also want to have the best performance while doing video editing.

I really know nothing about this, so I need to find out:

1. Can HyperX be installed on the E520?

2. If so, will system changes need to be made?

3. If so, where can I find that info?

4. Will there be a noticable difference in system performance, though I'm not a gamer?

5. What are the pros/cons of using HyperX on the E520?

6. Any known problems/issues using HyperX on the E520?

If experienced users of this system can tell me that upgrading with regular memory will more than suffice for my needs, I will be happy to do so.

Any advice in making this decision will be greatly appreciated!  Thank you!

Lenora

(a heavy computer user with just enough tech knowledge to be dangerous)

[zoltanthegypsy]

Hi Lenora,  welcome,

A couple of questions and comments to start the conversation:

What operating system are you running?  If it's a 32-bit Windows version, you won't be able to use more that 4GB of RAM.

What is your machine type?  Something like "1143-KGU" as an example.  That should provide info on the overall machine configuration.  With that you/we can look it up in the edgebook and verify what you are dealing with.

From the edgebook, it looks like T520s use this RAM: "PC3-10600 1333MHz DDR3, non-parity"

Whatever RAM you buy must conform to this specification.  HyperX is a Kingston brand name.   You'll need to verify that whichever HyperX RAM you choose (or other brand) meets the above spec.

Others on the board may (hopefully) chime in with their Edge vs HyperX experience.  I've used neither.

Please report back with your machine type, OS, and have a look at the edgebook.

Z.

[edit] Clarify Kingston HyperX - I hope.

[lenora]

Hi, Z, thanks so much for your quick response...

My ThinkPad Edge is an E520, 1143-AFU.

I'm running Win 7 Pro.

I took a look at the Edgebook.  Under accessories, it only shows the "regular" memory.  I'm beginning to think I should leave well enough alone and just get some regular memory and be ecstatic that I have an excellent laptop with 8GB of memory!  (My old one - and I mean ANCIENT - would only hold a max of 2GB memory - so yeah, I'm happy.  )

Your feedback is still appreciated, though!  Thanks so much!

Lenora

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

don't worry, you won't get any noticeable performance boost with the use of the HyperX RAM even if you are doing video editing.

Just get the regular grade ram (avoid any value line though), and you should be fine.

The max ram capacity of the E320, E420 and E520 with i Core CPU is 16 gigs.

[zoltanthegypsy]

@lenora

You say your OS is Win  Pro.  Is it the 64-bit version?

Z.

[lenora]

Z, sorry, yes, my OS is 64-bit.

What brand of memory would you recommend?  What to stay away from?

Thanks,

Lenora

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

Corsair value and Kingston value line.

[zoltanthegypsy · Accepted solution]

I hope that was lead_org's "stay away" list

I've had good luck with Crucial.

There are a fair number of reports of problems with Corsair.  I don't think it's a bad product in general, but there seem to be issues with Corsair and Lenovo.

Z.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

Yes that was my stay away list. Samsung, Elipida, micron, normal kingston, even patriot are ok in thinkpad.

[lenora]

Okay, wow, thanks!  I'll stay away from the value lines.

I appreciate all of the feedback.  I will certainly come back to this forum if/when I have more questions/issues with my ThinkPad. 

Now off to order me some memory...

Thanks again!

Lenora