A Question Regarding RAM...
If you know the answer, or honestly think you know by shear virtue of conviction, then please, by all means contribute a response. Otherwise, I can do all the speculation myself...
I currently have a Macbook Pro 4,1 (2.5Ghz), the last model just before the unibody version. It currently has 4 GB (2x2GB) of RAM, which according to Apple is the max. However, upon further research, I learned that this Mac would accept 6 GB, and since they don't seem to make 3 GB sticks, that would in-tale acquiring a 4 GB stick, and replacing one of the existing 2 GB sticks (which I have done).
IMPRESSIONS:
Now it seems that the imbalance of having a 2 GB & 4 GB sticks slotted, affects dual channelling, as there are not equal pairs installed (but is that really a negative, if after all, one has 6 GB of RAM available?), or so I'm told.
I assumed, that as long as the RAM is 200-pin DDR2, it should fit in the MBP, and that the frequency of the chip is irrelevant, and would run at its designated level, 667Mhz. This I can confirm as I purchased an 800mhz chip and it works (almost felt like a leap of faith).
My impression of the way this issue of RAM works is; Computer manufacturers give you a max based on what is available at the time of manufacture. If 2 GB is the largest that is made, than that is the max that is listed, as chip makers usually are not likely to make them larger.
The chips it seems are limited to a few factors; 1. does it physically fit the slot, 2. does OS support it, and 3. possible firmware compatibility.
So,I pursued the net and checked as many of the credible Mac sites that would address the issue, and I found many conflicting comments from seemingly knowledgable individuals.
THE SITUATION:
In addition to my MBP, I figured I would upgrade my fathers as well, his is a sightly older model that technically takes the same type of RAM, so I purchased 2 x 4GB (PC6400 800Mhz 200-pin DDR2 So-Dimm, why? Because they were cheaper than the PC5300)
Both MBP's had 4GB (2x2GB). I then took both of the 2GB (PC5300 667Mhz200-pin DDR2 So-Dimm) chips I replaced from each machine, and decided to upgrade a third MBP, an original Intel MacBook Pro (2Ghz) from 2GB up to 4 GB. Well, that didn't pan out, as the system failed to boot up entirely...
However, before I did that, I took both of the new 4 GB chips and installed them into my fathers MBP... It all seemed to work. I checked in the Activity Monitor, and the system recognized all 8 GB (or maybe 7.75GB). I even ran a few apps to test things out a bit, and observed the pie chart of usage. All indications were that everything was working smoothly.
QUESTION:
By installing 8 GB in pairs (2x4GB) I assume I regain dual channeling (or am I wrong?). Also is there something that I am missing, is there some deleterious effect that may befall both machines?
We are currently running 6 GB in both MBP's, and want to max both with 8GB (actually I already ordered the chips). Are there any drawbacks to having 6 GB? Has anyone else any experience with any of this?
Please comment if you have, and thank you for your time...
** Next phase – Install Lion on a Hybrid HD or SSD...
(2x4GB)