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MikeB235

Q: DDR3 or DDR3L

I want to upgrade my macbook pro 13 mid 2012. Which is better to select: DDR3 or DDR3L and why?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 12, 2013 1:58 PM

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Q: DDR3 or DDR3L

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  • Helpful answers

  • by mende1,Solvedanswer

    mende1 mende1 Aug 12, 2013 1:59 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 10 (93,319 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 12, 2013 1:59 PM in response to MikeB235

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities

     

    DDR3L is low-voltage RAM, and in the case of the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro, it doesn't mind which you use. By default, DDR3L RAM comes with it, so get DDR3L RAM.

     

    You can install 16 GB of RAM. You can get compatible RAM at OWC or Crucial > http://www.macsales.com

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Aug 12, 2013 2:01 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 10 (93,319 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 12, 2013 2:01 PM in response to MikeB235

    Apart from that, there's no performance difference between them

  • by MikeB235,

    MikeB235 MikeB235 Aug 12, 2013 2:12 PM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2013 2:12 PM in response to mende1

    Actually DDR3 comes with it!

    So I thought it could save power if I use DDR3L

    But not sure if it will?

  • by mende1,Helpful

    mende1 mende1 Aug 12, 2013 2:14 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 10 (93,319 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 12, 2013 2:14 PM in response to MikeB235

    It's up to you, but as it has got a lower voltage, it may consume less battery (1.35v vs 1.5v). You can give it a try, as there won't be any performance difference

  • by MikeB235,

    MikeB235 MikeB235 Aug 12, 2013 2:16 PM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2013 2:16 PM in response to mende1

    I just want to be sure that DDR3L will work..

  • by mende1,Helpful

    mende1 mende1 Aug 12, 2013 2:17 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 10 (93,319 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 12, 2013 2:17 PM in response to MikeB235

    It will work. The Mid 2012 MacBook Pro is designed to work with DDR3L RAM. Moreover, that's the RAM that comes with the MacBook Pro wtih Retina display, and even the 2011 MacBook Pro supports it

  • by MikeB235,

    MikeB235 MikeB235 Aug 12, 2013 2:22 PM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2013 2:22 PM in response to mende1

    Ok. I'll try DDR3L then..

    Thank you very much

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Aug 12, 2013 2:23 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 10 (93,319 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 12, 2013 2:23 PM in response to MikeB235

    You are welcome

  • by donbo,

    donbo donbo Oct 7, 2013 12:43 PM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Oct 7, 2013 12:43 PM in response to mende1

    What about in my Mid-2011 Mac mini? Crucial's website says it takes DDR3. I ordered 2x8GB DDR3, but the modules they shipped were labeled DDR3L. When I questioned Crucial, their emailed reply was: "Thank you for contacting Crucial. I double-checked all the Mac Mini models on our side and they all show that the part you got an ordered should be compatible with your system."

     

    Will 1.35V DDR3L modules be "overpowered" (hence their life shortened) if I install them in my Mac mini to replace its original 2x1GB DDR3 memory?

     

    Don

  • by susieqk,

    susieqk susieqk Jun 9, 2015 7:45 PM in response to MikeB235
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 9, 2015 7:45 PM in response to MikeB235

    I have 13" MacBook Pro (mid-2012). You are sure DDR3L will work? Why does the MacBook not state that it uses DDR3L? When I click on the apple, then "about this Mac", then "Memory" it says 1600MHz DDR3. I also tried looking around to find the voltage it uses (1.35 vs 1.5) but was unable to locate that info., also read through available specs on the Apple website, anyone have any idea how I would locate that info? Why does Apple make it so hard to find the information, maybe because they want to charge $200 (which is crazy expensive) for 8GB of replacement RAM?? 

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 10, 2015 3:32 AM in response to susieqk
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 10, 2015 3:32 AM in response to susieqk

    susieqk wrote:

     

    I have 13" MacBook Pro (mid-2012). You are sure DDR3L will work?

    Yes, it will work!


    The best sources for Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.  You do NOT have to purchase RAM from Apple.


    Ciao.

  • by Angel_V,

    Angel_V Angel_V Dec 3, 2015 7:46 PM in response to susieqk
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 3, 2015 7:46 PM in response to susieqk

    Same question here, I don't know why OWC and Crucial recommends low voltage DDR3 even everymac.com specify that, but I opened my MBP mid 2012 and found it has Hynix 1.5v DDR3 modules.

     

    <Image Edited by Host to Remove Serial Number>

     

    SK hynix specification:

    https://www.skhynix.com/products/computing/view.jsp?info.ramKind=20&info.serialN o=HMT325S6CFR8CI


    notebookcheck.net review found that MBP mid 2012 has 1.5v SODIMM modules factory installed


    http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Apple-MacBook-Pro-13-2-5-GHz-Mid-2012-Notebo ok.79640.0.html


    <Image Edited by Host to Remove Serial Number>

     

    So 1.35 V modules are optional, don't know the impact on battery saving consumption, may be some few minutes.



  • by Sandeep Roy,

    Sandeep Roy Sandeep Roy Dec 3, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Angel_V
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Dec 3, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Angel_V

    Now i'm really confused - just bought the MBP 13-inch mid-2012 i5 2.5Ghz MD101HN/A & the installed RAM is Hyundai (now discontinued) at 1.35 Volts but DDR3 not DDR3L. So I called Kingston Tech. Support (only co. to provide lifetime warranty) and they list only DDR3 1.5 Volts as compatible.

    CPUZSPD.JPG

     

    Kingston link - http://www.kingston.com/en/memory/search?DeviceType=3&Mfr=APP&Line=MacBook%20Pro &Model=78047

    This was their email response :

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---

    Hi Sandeep,

    Since we have encountered DDR3L 1.35V SODIMM incompatible on Macbook mid 2012 before, therefore, we remove DDR3L 1.35V SODIMM to support Apple MacBook Pro mid 2012.  We will only recommend DDR3 1.5V SODIMM.

    Please find the following link to find the compatible parts for the same: (as above)

    Thanks & Regards,

    Sunny Chaurasia,

    Manager - Services & Tech Support

    Kingston Technology Far East Corp.

    Direct line: +91. 22. 28448404

    Customer Care : 1860-233-4515

    Fax: +91.22. 28448444

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----

    I don't know why Apple is installing discontinued by manufacturer DDR3 RAM's in 2015 ! My MBP was manufactured in Oct'15 - Bizzare !

    So, I guess i shall have to wait a while to get some clarity. Thoughts ?