Rudolfensis

Q: 1600MHz RAM on a Late 2011 MacBook Pro?

While the 2011 MBP ships with 1333MHz RAM, some say that 1600MHz may not be supported in.

 

Others say that it is backwards compatible (going down to 1333MHz when installed).

 

But even some have suggested (and tried in a Mac mini; see last post) that the system profiler reports the full 1600MHz being accessible by the chipset.

 

Apple officially said that my MBP only supports up to 8GB, but this has been proven to be untrue. So could Apple be wrong about this? The i7 chipset might support 1600MHz.

 

If so, will 1600MHz increase performance?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Dec 12, 2012 9:04 AM

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Q: 1600MHz RAM on a Late 2011 MacBook Pro?

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  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 3, 2014 4:54 PM in response to Eric.1776
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 3, 2014 4:54 PM in response to Eric.1776

    Eric.1776 wrote:

     

    Bring it, as you know, RAM prices fall over time

    Not always.  I purchased 16 GB Crucial RAM for my MBP for less that $100 over a year ago.  The same RAM today costs $160.  I call that a significant difference.

     

    Ciao.

  • by steve359,

    steve359 steve359 Apr 7, 2014 12:08 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 6 (14,032 points)
    Apr 7, 2014 12:08 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    RAM prices are influenced by many things, including typhoons off the coast of Asian countries.

     

    And while $100 to $160 is a notable increase, I recall 16 GB RAM being $1500 a couple years back.

     

    If the possibility of ">16 GB" is true, I would expect the drop to "tolerable" from "outlandish" to take a year as well from the ridiculous $1500 to  roughly $200.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 7, 2014 2:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 9 (51,382 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2014 2:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Ram prices go up and down constantly, especially Ram for old Macs (17" models)

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 7, 2014 2:53 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 7, 2014 2:53 AM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

     

    ...especially Ram for old Macs (17" models)

    Implying that there is different RAM in 17" models as opposed to 13' and 15" models?  Is so, that logic is wanting since the facts are otherwise. 

     

    Ciao.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 7, 2014 2:59 AM in response to steve359
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 7, 2014 2:59 AM in response to steve359

    steve359 wrote:

     

    And while $100 to $160 is a notable increase, I recall 16 GB RAM being $1500 a couple years back.

    I do as well when the first 8 GB chips were introduced.

     

    If the possibility of ">16 GB" is true, I would expect the drop to "tolerable" from "outlandish" to take a year as well from the ridiculous $1500 to  roughly $200.

    My crystal ball shows the same.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 7, 2014 3:00 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 9 (51,382 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2014 3:00 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Implying exactly what I said, older Ram tends to be more expensive, 17" models are older models.

     

    QED

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 7, 2014 3:14 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 7, 2014 3:14 AM in response to Csound1

    A quick review of the current pricing on the OWC and Crucial web sites for 2010, 2011 and 2012 MBPs indicates virtually identical prices for 8 GB and 16 GB RAM kits.  There is no indication of any premium to be paid for RAM for older MBPs.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 7, 2014 3:37 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 9 (51,382 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2014 3:37 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Virtually identical? I assume that means that they are different?

     

    Specifically current Ram (DDR3, 1600mhz) is 8% cheaper than the Ram used in previous models (2008 to 2011) (OWC prices, rounded up)

    4GB MBP 2008-2010 1066mhz $54

    4GB MBP 2011 1333mhz $54

    4GB MBP 2012 1600mhz $52

    I realise that a man of your stature is not interested in a mere 8%, but we are not all as favored as you (do you really pay for it at all, doesn't the wizard just command some into existence for you?)

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 7, 2014 4:55 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 7, 2014 4:55 AM in response to Csound1

    Your quibbling nature suggests that you have the mindset of one employed at the Inland Revenue Department.  However you lack of even rudimentary math skills disqualifies you from a position in that odious organization.

     

    Using the data that you presented, there is less than a 4% difference, not 8%, between the 2012 and 2011 RAM prices.

     

    Now let's get in the real world.  No one purchases a 4 GB RAM chip unless their granny gave them one for their birthday.  It is 8  or 16 GB kits that are relevant in this discussion.

     

                     8 GB         16 GB

     

    2012         $100         $198

     

    2011         $102         $195

     

    2010         $102         NA

     

    Note that there is only a 2% decrease in 8 GB RAM kits and a INCREASE in the price of a 16 GB RAM kit.

     

    A cautionary note:  when referring to the Wizard be respectful and deferential, he is omnipotent.

     

    Ciao.

     

    OWC prices rounded to the nearest dollar.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 7, 2014 5:03 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 9 (51,382 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2014 5:03 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Good quantity discount, same trend.

  • by frahman,

    frahman frahman Mar 20, 2015 3:00 PM in response to Rudolfensis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 20, 2015 3:00 PM in response to Rudolfensis

    Can anyone here help me with this https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6884995 ?

     

    Its kinda urgent. Your response will be much appriciated.

     

    Thanks.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 20, 2015 3:13 PM in response to frahman
    Level 9 (52,759 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2015 3:13 PM in response to frahman

    The RAM specifications for a mid 2009 MBP are:  204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM.

     

    That is what I recommend that you install into your MBP.  I have seen a few exceptions for certain MBP models where faster RAM will work, but never for any 2009 models.  In my experience, along with many of my colleagues on these forums, OWC and Crucial are the best sources of Mac compatible RAM. 

     

    Macs have a reputation for being very selective when it comes to RAM.  If none are available locally, order it online and have it shipped in.  It may cost you more, but your MBP will operate as expected and you will not have to go through the inconvenience of returning it.

     

    Ciao.

  • by nebulloyd,

    nebulloyd nebulloyd Sep 28, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Rudolfensis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 28, 2016 7:40 AM in response to Rudolfensis

    Hey Rudolfensis,

     

    I realise this is an old thread but I was considering a RAM upgrade, I have a 13 inch i7 late 2011 model macbook pro. Should 1600 DDR3 RAM be compatible with my gear from your experience?

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Sep 28, 2016 7:42 AM in response to nebulloyd
    Level 6 (15,707 points)
    Sep 28, 2016 7:42 AM in response to nebulloyd

    Go to the OWC or Crucial sites. They have the specs for which RAM will work with your computer.

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