Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3T - Upgrade RAM Memory Module

The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3T may have 1GB or 2GBs of RAM. If you are unlucky and have the 1GB version then upgrading to 2GB can be done by purchasing a new module.


Windows XP and Linux users may not need the 2GB of RAM because things are little less resource intensive. If you are running Windows 7 and you want to open many files and programs at the same time then 2GB may be needed.



The correct RAM for your S10-3T?
Selecting the correct RAM on the S10-3T was easy for a short while, but it got complicated once Lenovo introduced new CPU versions.

There are four CPU versions of the S10-3T. The first ones were the N450 and N470 models, about a year after those Lenovo released S10-3Ts with N455 and N475 which improved on battery life.

There are several ways of determining the correct RAM type for your S10-3T including:

1. Based on the CPU spec sheets.
2. Based on the existing RAM module's pin count.

1. Based On CPU

• Hit the Win key and type "dxdiag"
• Under the "System" tab you can read the "Processor" information.
• From here you can determine which RAM you need by using the processor's name.

According to Intel the N475 and N455 CPUs may use DDR2 or DDR3. Which brings an added layer of confusion.

204 pin sodimm 2GB PC3-10600 DDR3
Intel Atom N475 1.83 GHz (Intel)
Intel Atom N455 1.6 GHz (Intel)

200 pin sodimm 2GB DDR2 667 MHz
Intel Atom N470 1.83 GHz (Intel)
Intel Atom N450 1.6 GHz (Intel)

2. Based On RAM Pin Count

This is a bit more manual and will require you to count the amount of pins your existing RAM has.

How to:

• Open the bottom plastic cover (you will need a screw driver for this).
• Identify and pull out the RAM module.
• Count the small group of pins.

If the small group has 20 pins then you need a 200 pin sodimm 2GB DDR2 667 MHz.
If the small group has 36 pins then you need a 204 pin sodimm 2GB PC3-10600 DDR3.

Further explanation and a few images on Sodimm RAM modules: Wikipedia

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My S10-3T came with 1GB RAM and that was not enough because thanks to the crapware it would do over 70 processes and that consumed 700 MB RAM. These numbers are high considering that I was not running programs that I wanted yet. In my opinion the 2GB is essential.

Not all modules will work with the S10-3T. Some people have recommended a BIOS update to enable more RAM modules to be used.



Images And Step By Step Guide

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Turn off system, close the lid and flip the system.

There are 5 screws to remove.

Remove the plastic cover gently.

Find the RAM module and notice the retaining pins.

Push the retaining pins sideways.

Pull the module out.

Prep the new RAM.

Insert new module.

Secure module by pushing downwards.

Turn on system to confirm the RAM works.

If it works put cover and screws back on.

(86m)