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Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

L430/L530 and later Series
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Insomniac1971
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Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#1 Post by Insomniac1971 » Mon Sep 02, 2024 11:20 pm

Hi I'm looking for compatible Ram modules for my L540 i5 4200m 20AUA0F4JP. I would prefer 2x8Gb.

Right now it has Samsung M471B5173DB0-YK0 4Gb module(1Rx8 PC3L-12800S-11-13B4), and I know it can take up to 16Gb(2x8Gb) PC3L-12800S 1600Mhz and that it probably should be 1.35V DDR3L.

My question is If I can use any brand PC3-12800 204pin DDR3L like 2Rx8 or it has to be "1Rx8" and "PC3L-12800S"?

Is there a ram white list in Bios?

Ram is extremely expensive here in the Philippines.

Crucial don't have any ram for this model, Kingston has but pricy. There are cheaper manufacturers.

Second question, I found a 4Gb M471B5173HB0-YK0, could I use that together with the M471B5173DB0-YK0, or is that a No No?
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Mon Sep 02, 2024 11:52 pm

All versions of DDR3L-1600 or PC3L-12800 (L=Low voltage / 1.35V) will be OK.
No RAM whitelist.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
But I actually prefer Murphy's from Cork!

axur-delmeria
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#3 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:03 am

Bought a Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 RAM in Lazada last July, worked fine on a client's 4th gen Core i3 laptop.

OTOH since it's not from the official store I'm not 100% certain it's legit, but it passed a few runs of memtest86+ without issue.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

Insomniac1971
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#4 Post by Insomniac1971 » Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:21 am

axur-delmeria wrote: โ†‘
Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:03 am
Bought a Crucial 8GB DDR3L-1600 RAM in Lazada last July, worked fine on a client's 4th gen Core i3 laptop.

OTOH since it's not from the official store I'm not 100% certain it's legit, but it passed a few runs of memtest86+ without issue.
Hey Buddy, long time no see๐Ÿ˜‰ I think I owe you a steak๐Ÿ˜

Yeah I have seen them, read the negative review from some of the stores and said NOO๐Ÿ˜‰ I Prefer Lazmall.
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

Insomniac1971
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#5 Post by Insomniac1971 » Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:22 am

RealBlackStuff wrote: โ†‘
Mon Sep 02, 2024 11:52 pm
All versions of DDR3L-1600 or PC3L-12800 (L=Low voltage / 1.35V) will be OK.
No RAM whitelist.
Thank you for the information ๐Ÿ˜‰

I think I also owe you a steak ๐Ÿ˜

Jan
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

Insomniac1971
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#6 Post by Insomniac1971 » Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:23 am

What is the difference between PC3L-12800 and PC3L-12800S?
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

axur-delmeria
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#7 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Sep 03, 2024 2:26 am

Insomniac1971 wrote: โ†‘
Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:21 am
Hey Buddy, long time no see๐Ÿ˜‰ I think I owe you a steak๐Ÿ˜

Yeah I have seen them, read the negative review from some of the stores and said NOO๐Ÿ˜‰ I Prefer Lazmall.
I only pick local sellers and avoid ones with poor reviews. So far the ones I've bought are all good.
Insomniac1971 wrote: โ†‘
Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:21 am
What is the difference between PC3L-12800 and PC3L-12800S?
AFAIK there isn't. I've read elsewhere that the S refers to SODIMM (aka laptop-size RAM), so I think it's primarily used in catalogs or parts listings in order to easily separate them from desktop RAM.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

Insomniac1971
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#8 Post by Insomniac1971 » Tue Sep 03, 2024 3:40 am

axur-delmeria

If you plan on buying any ThinkPad Tx80(s) make sure to update bios or ask seller if they did, there is a problem with certain models and the Thunderbolt controller, after a while it fails and can't be repaired๐Ÿ˜‰

https://support.lenovo.com/ie/en/soluti ... s-thinkpad
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

axur-delmeria
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#9 Post by axur-delmeria » Tue Sep 03, 2024 5:29 am

Insomniac1971 wrote: โ†‘
Tue Sep 03, 2024 3:40 am
axur-delmeria

If you plan on buying any ThinkPad Tx80(s) make sure to update bios or ask seller if they did, there is a problem with certain models and the Thunderbolt controller, after a while it fails and can't be repaired๐Ÿ˜‰

https://support.lenovo.com/ie/en/soluti ... s-thinkpad
I already have a T480s since last year, already updated its Thunderbolt firmware. :wink:


The root of the issue is not the Thunderbolt controller itself, but a firmware bug that causes excessive writes to the SPI flash chip that contains the Thunderbolt firmware, causing it to wear out prematurely and fail. Someone actually fixed his Thinkpad by buying a new blank flash chip, programming it externally (probably with a CH341A programmer), desoldered the bad chip and soldered the new one in.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

Insomniac1971
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Posts: 202
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:00 pm
Location: Puerto Galera, Philippines
Contact:

Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#10 Post by Insomniac1971 » Sat Sep 07, 2024 12:28 am

Ok, I got a bit confused ๐Ÿคฃ

Present ram is 1Rx8

Can I use 2Rx8?
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#11 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sat Sep 07, 2024 1:13 am

RealBlackStuff wrote: โ†‘
Mon Sep 02, 2024 11:52 pm
All versions of DDR3L-1600 or PC3L-12800 (L=Low voltage / 1.35V) will be OK.
No RAM whitelist.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
But I actually prefer Murphy's from Cork!

Insomniac1971
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Posts: 202
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:00 pm
Location: Puerto Galera, Philippines
Contact:

Re: Thinkpad L540 compatible Ram modules?

#12 Post by Insomniac1971 » Sat Sep 07, 2024 1:54 am

Ok, got it now๐Ÿ˜ Thank you ๐Ÿ˜
Live life to to fullest:) I do!
Thinkpads: 240Z, 701c, T21, A31, 560E, 570, T500, R500, X300 - (dead R61(intel), T61(Nvidia)), L540 20AUA0F4JP
Other: Toshiba Satellite L40-139(dead)

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