New Ram for T400: DDR3 8500 or DDR3 10666

Which is better?

Mine came with a DDR3 8500. Does T400 support the 10666 one? If I want to get a spare 2GB is it smarter to go with 8500 or 10666?

 

no. it will not work
afaik t400 chipset doesn't support 10667 (DDR3 -1333)

at least everest says: Supported Memory Types DDR2-667 SDRAM, DDR2-800 SDRAM, DDR3-667 SDRAM, DDR3-800 SDRAM, DDR3-1066 SDRAM

 

The OP probably means DDR3-1066 (1066 MHz) which is the same as PC3-8500 (8x speed) and DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666). T400 is limited by the GM45 chipset, which only supports DDR3-1066/PC3-8500, but even if it supported DDR3-1333/PC3-10666, you would not notice any benefit. My advise, stick with the cheaper memory.

 

Ok so I should get the 8500 then?

I am also wondering if its ok to cross brands in the Ram. CUrrently I am using an unknown brand that came from Lenovo. I am planning to buy Patriot Ram. I heard from someone its also bad to use 2GB and 4GB. I plan to getting a 4GB when the price comes down.

 

yes. you should get 8500.
and I think it is ok to cross brand. I have one from lenovo and other from kingston

 

Oh wait so T400 supports DDR2 Ram too?

 

Intel GM45 supports DDR2. But this chipset in t400 is set to work with DDR3

 

Regardless of the chipset, DDR2 memory doesn't fit in DDR3 memory slots.

The T400 supports the newer DDR3 memory, it does not support DDR2.

 

Used to be true. No longer true with T400. Look up Intel Flex Mode -- it'll run dual channel up to the top of the smaller size memory module then single channel above that. So with a 4GB stick and a 2GB stick you'll get dual channel in the lower 4GB and single channel in the top 2GB.

 

As the others have said, get a DDR3-1066 (PC8500) module. Also make sure you get one with a CAS latency of 7, not the slower ones with CAS latency 8 or 9. Lenovo's included stick should have CL 7, so match them up and you'll get dual channel speed at the faster latency. And the brand does not matter as long as the specs are the same. If the specs are not the same, both sticks will run at the speed of the slower one.

Intel's Flex memory mode has its pros and cons. But at this point it's a better idea to not waste hundreds of dollars on the 4GB module. You can get the 2GB module for less than $40 shipped.

And I can guaran-damn-tee you, that in a year or two if you want to upgrade your RAM, you can get 2 x 4GB for probably half the price that you can get a single 4GB module now...