Two years later, and this laptop still kicks out new laptops. The GPU isn't up to date though, but the CPU with its powerful i7 is very capable still. And a reliable unit too.
Thanks for the video! Just followed these instructions to upgrade to 32GB of RAM and install a new keyboard. Eight-odd years and this laptop is still a viable desktop replacement.
Surprised at all the uneducated responses on this video. If any of you took the time to read the specs - yes this laptop can take 32gb of ram...and an msata drive and has an ultra bay, has 1920x1080 resolution in most cases as it was a graphics work station laptop. This laptop still kicks the crap out of most today and its about 3-4 years old. People need to use their minds and do research before commenting... And yes - you have to take the keyboard off to access the front memory slots ..Good video by the way - but yes you should have booted the system to prove the point.
These kind of machine are really good and evolutive, my W520 is 9 years old, it's always really good enough for development and hosting VMs using VMWare Workstation. I remember the price about 1000 Euros for this laptop with i7 2760QM, 16GB of RAM and HDD 7200 RPM ! I will replace the 16 GB RAM with 32 GB in few days, and I guess it could rock more than 5 years more
@@reunionf ...I found out that the corsair value ram I bought does not work on Thnkpads. I returned and got on Crucial.com and ordered correct ones. I should of looked b4 I leaped.
@@DarkstarDarth Be aware of the model DDR3, the voltage must match to the configuration. The DDR3L can't be functional, because of the lower voltage 1,35v
I love it! Dont have W530, but my W520. I own not fully working W510, W700 (soon will be reanimated), and W701 (i hope soon). My gf has T510. In my other place, old, boy T61 ;)
WHY didn't you explain why you pressed the ON/OFF Button after removing the Power Lead and the Battery,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Is it because you were discharging the 'Latent Power' stored in the Capacitors,,,,,????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WELL ???
CAD and Matlab. I still use this laptop on occasion when travelling and often utilize > 20-25Gb. So while 16 might be sufficient for your needs, it is not for mine.
Easy to upgrade. very nice video. thank you for uploading the video. 45 degree angle is very important to install the new ram smoothly. This is a key point to learn after I failed to install a new ram several times.
I have this laptop with 8GB Samsung RAM (2x4GB). I tried to add another 8GB crucial ram, but it did not work ( laptop won't start and stay blank) I need to make it 16GB without loosing the existing 8GB. Can I go with Samsung 8GB? Do you think it will work?
I would make sure the RAM is compatible and matches the existing hardware you are using. If they match and are compatible, try swapping out the working Samsung with the Crucial. While this might not get you to 16GB, it helps you narrow down what the problem might be.
hey thanks you for you video. I've got couple questions. Are there 4 slots for the RAM two at the back and two the front? Which brand would you suggest that best fit this W530? Also, it seems to me that the keyboard is not connected to the laptop by a wire or something? is it completely detachable?
Can you send a link to where you bought the RAM? Furthermore, how do I find out what maximum RAM that can be installed on my Lenovo W530? An answer would be much appreciated. Thanks! /Peter
Quick question, does the laptop recognize the 32 gb? As in, will the motherboard preform any better from the 16 to 32gb? Just curious is the jump between 16 to 32 will even be recognizable.
Yes, the laptop will use the 32gb. As for performance, I did not notice. It simply allows me to have more headroom when working in CAD software and Matlab.
I am not sure if you still have this laptop or remember the specs before and after the upgrade. But I wanted to ask if the Laptop utilized all of New Ram or was some of it not put to use? I ask on the fact that some motherboard ( and computer models) do not support 32 Ram, Most stop at 16 Ram for Max use ( the rest it put to "Cached" and "Non-Page Pool" memory )
I have the same laptop. i have 2 4GB under the keyboard. Someone gave me a couple of known good 2GB 2R8 PC3-8500S-7-10-F1. I installed them in the slots under the bottom of the laptop however PC would not boot. Take them out and PC boots. The same ram works in a Sony Laptop so I know the ram is good. I was under the impression this ram was DDR3-1333 PC10600 equivalent. Any ideas why known good working ram did not work. Previously I had 2 4GB rams in the bottom of the laptop sockets of the Lenovo but I removed them for a different laptop. I know there is nothing wrong with the ram sockets so it must be a incompatibility issue.
@@n1kkri ..thanks for reply, I found out that all value ram and econo ram does not work on all Lenovo laptops. I returned my Corsair crap at Best Buy and ordered some from Newegg ...Crucial DDR3 1600’s. Hope they work.
PC3-8500 is 1066MHz so wrong memory for this laptop.. You do see that 8500 is smaller number than 10600? That number is important (10600=1333MHz). So clearly not equivalent and yes it surely is an incompatibility issue. 😜 And to Dan The Man: not all memory with same MHz are same, there are other specs too so you need to read up and think before ordering, in the end its much easier to order correct memory once than wrong memory 1, 2, 3 etc. times. And to end this, Lenovo says: "PC3-12800 Non-Parity (NP) Double Data Rate Three (DDR3) Technology - The use of 1600 MHz SO DIMM memory is recommended for this system.". So, Jon was right 2 years ago.
depends entirely on your workloads. if you're overflowing 8GB, you should go up to 12 at least, preferably 16. if you're overflowing 16, you should go up to 24 or 32. 8, 16 and 32 are generally best because they offer full dual-channel operation. 8GB is enough for the majority of users, 16GB is good for some niche workloads, 32 is good if you're doing something quite unusual.
+Legalas Elf the screen latch bit loose but it has a subframe that protects the internals. it is actually put together nicely. i spilled water right on my keyboard and it drained out and still works perfect months later
I have w520 and it works great still. Truly well built laptops.
Does 520 have 4 slots too?
@@VenturollingOfficial yes it has 4 slots also
@@reunionf does w520 support to upgrade to 32gb ram?
@@duyenhoang7821 Yes I did an upgrade 6 months ago, it still boot up without problem !
hey! i have a question about the w520, do you know if it has dual band wifi support (2.4G and 5G)
Lol 6 years old but it still kicks the crap out of new laptops! Except for the new 6 core 12 thread i7’s
Two years later, and this laptop still kicks out new laptops. The GPU isn't up to date though, but the CPU with its powerful i7 is very capable still. And a reliable unit too.
@@ProvVFX Throw an eGPU on it and you solved your graphics problems. Otherwise, I love mine ❤️
Thanks for the video! Just followed these instructions to upgrade to 32GB of RAM and install a new keyboard. Eight-odd years and this laptop is still a viable desktop replacement.
Surprised at all the uneducated responses on this video. If any of you took the time to read the specs - yes this laptop can take 32gb of ram...and an msata drive and has an ultra bay, has 1920x1080 resolution in most cases as it was a graphics work station laptop. This laptop still kicks the crap out of most today and its about 3-4 years old. People need to use their minds and do research before commenting... And yes - you have to take the keyboard off to access the front memory slots ..Good video by the way - but yes you should have booted the system to prove the point.
You are correct. This machine has probably 3xxx series intel core i7 with 8 threads, so it is very capable for all kinds of workloads.
GateCrashers What makes Quadros crappy? They are made for CAD usage and are Nvidias chips.
I use the same laptop with 32gig ram and its true quad core i7 processor.
@GateCrashers Quadro is not for gaming..it's for production ! And it's made by Nvidia ..u are crappy
@GateCrashers quadro's makes money bro
These kind of machine are really good and evolutive, my W520 is 9 years old, it's always really good enough for development and hosting VMs using VMWare Workstation. I remember the price about 1000 Euros for this laptop with i7 2760QM, 16GB of RAM and HDD 7200 RPM ! I will replace the 16 GB RAM with 32 GB in few days, and I guess it could rock more than 5 years more
Did you upgrade and did it boot up ok, mine didn’t .
@@DarkstarDarth Yes I did the upgrade up to 32GB ! the W520 have the type 4284-4LG and it rocks ;). Perhaps, yours is not compatible.
@@reunionf ...I found out that the corsair value ram I bought does not work on Thnkpads. I returned and got on Crucial.com and ordered correct ones. I should of looked b4 I leaped.
@@DarkstarDarth Be aware of the model DDR3, the voltage must match to the configuration. The DDR3L can't be functional, because of the lower voltage 1,35v
4 ram slots in a laptop! That's unheard of these days.
I love it!
Dont have W530, but my W520. I own not fully working W510, W700 (soon will be reanimated), and W701 (i hope soon).
My gf has T510.
In my other place, old, boy T61 ;)
WHY didn't you explain why you pressed the ON/OFF Button after removing the Power Lead and the Battery,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Is it because you were discharging the 'Latent Power' stored in the Capacitors,,,,,????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WELL ???
Thanks for the video. I needed a refresher. But I would have cleaned the computer before replacing the keyboard, easy to do with a brush and a vacuum.
una de las mejores laptops en el mundo !!!
you didnt even turn it on, so how the hell do we know if it even worked
Dam the only laptop in existence with quad channel ram
Why do/did you want 32Gb of RAM on this Laptop - serious question ??? A maximum of 16Gb is sufficient for ALL needs on a W530 !!!
CAD and Matlab. I still use this laptop on occasion when travelling and often utilize > 20-25Gb. So while 16 might be sufficient for your needs, it is not for mine.
Easy to upgrade. very nice video. thank you for uploading the video. 45 degree angle is very important to install the new ram smoothly. This is a key point to learn after I failed to install a new ram several times.
Thanks Blake you did it much easier! Thanks for the great video tut
I have this laptop with 8GB Samsung RAM (2x4GB). I tried to add another 8GB crucial ram, but it did not work ( laptop won't start and stay blank)
I need to make it 16GB without loosing the existing 8GB. Can I go with Samsung 8GB? Do you think it will work?
I would make sure the RAM is compatible and matches the existing hardware you are using. If they match and are compatible, try swapping out the working Samsung with the Crucial. While this might not get you to 16GB, it helps you narrow down what the problem might be.
So the ram slots under the keyboard are the extra slots? You want to put the Ram in the back first, correct?
Thanks Blake, a nice tutorial without any waffle !
Did it worked for you when you put 32 gb ram please answer
It should work , 32Gb ram was support added in 2011 with the W520 , make sure to use DDR3 SODIMM (not DDR3L low voltage)
Thanks Blake! I'm looking forward to picking up one of these workstations.
Which ram spec was in the machine originally CL9 or CL11 ?
Pretty sure you should de-energize before opening. Not just uplug and remove battery
hey thanks you for you video. I've got couple questions. Are there 4 slots for the RAM two at the back and two the front?
Which brand would you suggest that best fit this W530?
Also, it seems to me that the keyboard is not connected to the laptop by a wire or something? is it completely detachable?
yes, there are two slots on the bottom which are easily accessible and two underneath the keyboard.
Thanks for that vid. I have the same laptop with 8g ram. Am thinking of upgrading finally. It's not too hard at all.
Did you find it to be more inexpensive to purchase the ram elsewhere and install it yourself?
Dude. It's a fucking Thinkpad! You babying it like it's gonna break. That shit isn't an Apple!
what is the latest evolution of the laptop ?
Hey what did you do with the oringial 4 gig sims you took out? I'll buy them.
Can you send a link to where you bought the RAM?
Furthermore, how do I find out what maximum RAM that can be installed on my Lenovo W530?
An answer would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
/Peter
Pretty late and you probably have your answer, but 32GB is the max on the W530
Quick question, does the laptop recognize the 32 gb? As in, will the motherboard preform any better from the 16 to 32gb? Just curious is the jump between 16 to 32 will even be recognizable.
yes, its a really powerful laptop. 32gb is the max upgrade...
Yes, the laptop will use the 32gb. As for performance, I did not notice. It simply allows me to have more headroom when working in CAD software and Matlab.
I am not sure if you still have this laptop or remember the specs before and after the upgrade. But I wanted to ask if the Laptop utilized all of New Ram or was some of it not put to use? I ask on the fact that some motherboard ( and computer models) do not support 32 Ram, Most stop at 16 Ram for Max use ( the rest it put to "Cached" and "Non-Page Pool" memory )
It can handle a maximum of 32gb, its a really powerful machine. I was surprised when I found out, too
I have the same laptop and it makes use of all 32gig RAM.
Thank you man
Can one add two 8GB cards to the original 8GB or do you have to install equal cards?
You should be able to add more RAM so long they are of same DDR/SODIMM type. I did that with my W540 and it runs like butter.
Haris Berbic thanks for the quick reply!
I am unsure how it compares to the old IBM Thinkpad. This is my first Lenovo
Me to have w520 I want upgrade ram but display not open just sound bip if you have information how I can please explain me
MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER IS WHERE?????????????????????????
I have the same laptop. i have 2 4GB under the keyboard. Someone gave me a couple of known good 2GB 2R8 PC3-8500S-7-10-F1. I installed them in the slots under the bottom of the laptop however PC would not boot. Take them out and PC boots. The same ram works in a Sony Laptop so I know the ram is good. I was under the impression this ram was DDR3-1333 PC10600 equivalent. Any ideas why known good working ram did not work. Previously I had 2 4GB rams in the bottom of the laptop sockets of the Lenovo but I removed them for a different laptop.
I know there is nothing wrong with the ram sockets so it must be a incompatibility issue.
I believe the RAM should be DDR3-1600, not 1333.
Did you resolve the problem? Same situation here with DDR3 1333
@@DarkstarDarth I ended up getting a couple 4GB chips elsewhere and they worked I think it was ebay
@@n1kkri ..thanks for reply, I found out that all value ram and econo ram does not work on all Lenovo laptops. I returned my Corsair crap at Best Buy and ordered some from Newegg ...Crucial DDR3 1600’s. Hope they work.
PC3-8500 is 1066MHz so wrong memory for this laptop.. You do see that 8500 is smaller number than 10600? That number is important (10600=1333MHz). So clearly not equivalent and yes it surely is an incompatibility issue. 😜 And to Dan The Man: not all memory with same MHz are same, there are other specs too so you need to read up and think before ordering, in the end its much easier to order correct memory once than wrong memory 1, 2, 3 etc. times.
And to end this, Lenovo says: "PC3-12800 Non-Parity (NP) Double Data Rate Three (DDR3) Technology - The use of 1600 MHz SO DIMM memory is recommended for this system.". So, Jon was right 2 years ago.
Awesome, going to get this laptop.
Yes, it is much cheaper to purchase the ram from an online computer store rather than lenovo.
blake your thinkpad is a dream
DDR3 or ddr 4
hey can i get a link to where you bought the Ram?
I purchased 2 of these www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231582&cm_re=F3-1600C10D-16GSQ-_-20-231-582-_-Product
Is this worth it for 500 australia dollars in 2019?
yes for sure!
i just pulled the trigger on one for a work horse.
thank for a video it is sad without 720p quality
thank you!
isn't there a limit?
Limit is 32gb
does it really healp I heard it doest
i mm just asking
No
depends entirely on your workloads. if you're overflowing 8GB, you should go up to 12 at least, preferably 16. if you're overflowing 16, you should go up to 24 or 32. 8, 16 and 32 are generally best because they offer full dual-channel operation. 8GB is enough for the majority of users, 16GB is good for some niche workloads, 32 is good if you're doing something quite unusual.
I do this thing and the screen balked
Why?
Not really sure what balked is. Shouldn't have anything to do with the ram unless the computer isn't compatible with it.
i think you mean *blacked*
*****
Maybe
I thinking like you
papyrus 1983
Yes
I sent you message, let me know if you got it.
I have them. If you would like them, please send me a message with your contact information.
Bought a refurbished watched this video to find out where the other two were hidden.
Ohhh man... you should download the manual book
what the hell do you need 32 GB?!?!?
Not very good at this ,,, ARE YOU ???
looks like its made from shit, judging by the sound the plastic is very cheap and britle
+Legalas Elf the screen latch bit loose but it has a subframe that protects the internals. it is actually put together nicely. i spilled water right on my keyboard and it drained out and still works perfect months later
thanks a lot!