Ram for me IBM Thinkpad

[Lytech]

I just got my first Thinkpad, an R40 2681 with only 256MB of Ram. According to crucial, I have 200 Pin PC2100 DDR ram (one stick) and each slot is capable of holding 512MB. I want to put a 512 stick in the one open slot, but am curious about a couple of things.

It would appear that the existing stick is PC2100. Given that 2100 is at the low end of the spectrum, and since I am shopping anyway, it would seem to make sense to me to get, say, 3200. The problem is, I can only afford to add a stick, not replace both, so wouldn't the new ram run at the slowest speed anyway?

Also, am I going to see a significant gain from 3200 vice 2100?

Any recomendations for brands or places to buy?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Lyfer]

Crucial.com. Just look up your notebook model and crucial's website will list all the ram that is guaranteed to be compatible with your system.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yes, the fast RAM will run at the slow speed when paired with a slower SODIMM.

No, your laptop probably won't run the RAM at full speed even if you buy 2.

Like Lyfer says, it's easiest just follow their suggestion on what to buy.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Go to frys and pick up the $100 corsair value select memory, I got it in my lappy and it's wonderful. Though when I got it, turns out it somehow was remarked to so I returned it for the proper one. When you get any memory besure to check out the ACTUAL specs by using a program like CPUZ. BTW what would be really helpful is if you could post your model # and or the webpage you purchased you IBM laptop off of (should be the IBM website). That way we can see if crucial is full of shiite! For ex. according to crucial I could only install 384MB of ram in a dell dimension XPS R450 system but in reality you could install a total of 768MB.... Not always perfectly accurate but good enough for the typical consumer...