Q: How much RAM can I upgrade my Macbook to?

I've got a macbook 7,1. I've got 2 compatible 4GB modules but it won't start when I install both of them. I have tried all combination and reseated them several time but I can only get it to start with a one of the original 1GB and one of the new 4GB modules. Any suggestions? (I'm running 10.6.8. Do I need to upgrade to 10.7 to make it work?)

Thanks

If you bought your RAM at a place that also sells PC RAM you may have gotten mislabelled RAM. PCs can handle different RAM speeds so they’ll often label higher speed RAM as a lower speed rather than make two different speeds of RAM. But Macs are much more picky. They require a RAM stick to be exactly 1066mhz not 1333mhz or 1600mhz. The way to tell is to put one of your old RAM sticks in and it will force the new RAM to run at the correct speed.

This is from one review of PNY RAM it's for 667mhz RAM but they do the same thing for 1066 RAM:
"These modules are actually 800Mhz. PNY no longer makes or sells 667Mhz modules. Not all computers that require 667Mhz are compatible with 2 800Mhz modules. They refuse to down clock properly. This is especially true with a number of Core 2 Duo MacBooks. Spoke to PNY support, they flat out told me that yes, they sell 800Mhz modules in 667Mhz packaging. If you RMA a module that is 667Mhz (or supposed to be 667Mhz) they will replace it with an 800Mhz module as they no longer have any 667Mhz SODIMMs, not even for RMA replacement!"

These are good online stores for Mac compatible RAM

OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/ - They offer Mac tested RAM at very good prices.

Crucial Memory http://www.crucial.com/ - good place to buy RAM from all over the world. They also have an excellent memory selector that allows you to choose memory based on your computer's model

Data Memory Systems http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-memory.asp - another good, cheap place to buying RAM if you live in the U.S.

Hi. Do you know how much RAM maximum I can put into a

Model Identifier:          MacBookPro8,1

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed:          2.3 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          3 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP81.0047.B0E

  SMC Version (system):          1.68f98

Thank you

Maximum Memory     16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)

Memory Slots     2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

Great. Thank you very much, Really helpful

You are welcome.

Model Name:          MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro8,2

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed:          2 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          4

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          6 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP81.0047.B27

  SMC Version (system):          1.69f4

I'm wondering if I can get this set for my Macbook.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1333DDR3S16P/

jimd0729 wrote:

 

Another non-techie here with a memory question

 

How much RAM can I add to my MacBook

 

Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1

MacBook Pro (late 2006)

Processor 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Current memory: 2GB (two SO-DIMMs) 667 MHz DDRs SDRAM (PC2-5300)

 

The actual installation sounds quite simple.  I just want to be sure I get the right chips.

 

TIA

 

Jim

According to MacTracker you can have a maximum of 4GB RAM in that machine, however it's only going to be 3GB addressable.

JakeBravo wrote:

 

Hi. Do you know how much RAM maximum I can put into a

 

Model Identifier:          MacBookPro8,1

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed:          2.3 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          3 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP81.0047.B0E

  SMC Version (system):          1.68f98

 

 

 

Thank you

I have a 5,1 (the aluminum unibody)

2GHz

It says it is capable of taking 8gb ram. Is this correct?

jose.weidner wrote:

 

I have a 5,1 (the aluminum unibody)

 

2GHz

 

It says it is capable of taking 8gb ram. Is this correct?

I've got a macbook pro 4,1 17" with 2 gigs of RAM. I have a 2gb stick of Ram i'd like to try next to a 1gb, for a total of 3gb. What could happen if you run 3gb instead of a matching 4gb? Has anyone done this?

I too am interested if I can increase my RAM:

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:          MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro6,2

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          3 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Processor Interconnect Speed:          4.8 GT/s

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP61.0057.B0F

  SMC Version (system):          1.58f17

  Serial Number (system):          W************U

  Hardware UUID:          8****************1

  Sudden Motion Sensor:

  State:          Enabled

Thank you!

Heidi

<Personal Information Edited by Host>

htsalerno wrote:

 

I too am interested if I can increase my RAM:

Hardware Overview:

 

  Model Name:          MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro6,2

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          3 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Processor Interconnect Speed:          4.8 GT/s

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP61.0057.B0F

  SMC Version (system):          1.58f17

  Serial Number (system):          W8******AGU

  Hardware UUID:          8090A12D-A236-537E-87D6-8861CC56CB51

  Sudden Motion Sensor:

  State:          Enabled

 

Thank you!

Heidi

Here you go:

Hello,

somone mentioned, that it is better two have a pair of same sized RAM.

Now i wondered what will be better for my mac:

2x2GB or 1x4Gb 1x2GB

So is 4GB paired better than 6GB unpaired?