can i install over 2GB of RAM?

Question

can i install over 2GB of RAM?

my company accidentally bought some extra ram for our macbook pro's, and offered the old 2GB sticks to me. what would happen if i put (2) 2GB sticks in my macbook? i know it's over the max (and i assume that it wouldn't be able to access it), but would it work? would it effectively function as the max 2GB? most importantly, am i going to harm anything?

1.83 GHz MacBook 1GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 2, 2008 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

May 2, 2008 12:02 PM in response to Matthew Riegler

The computer would still only see 2GBs.

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Answer 2

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

May 2, 2008 6:02 PM in response to Matthew Riegler

It probably won't pass power-on self test with both. You could certainly try using just a single module. I understand a single 2GB should result in better overall performance than a dual-channel 1 GB pair (512K x 2).

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Answer 3

Dave B.

Level 4

2,080 points

May 2, 2008 6:38 PM in response to Matthew Riegler

ypw is right according to OWC, where I bought my RAM. If yours is a Core Duo (not Core 2) then you will get a black screen with 2 X 2 GB installed. As he said, just put in one of the 2 GB for a total of 2.5.

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Answer 4

May 2, 2008 6:44 PM in response to Matthew Riegler

Yes, I bought two 2GB sticks from MacSales.com and they work perfectly.

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Answer 5

Dave B.

Level 4

2,080 points

May 2, 2008 6:50 PM in response to gregelectro13

It is a Core Duo (not Core 2) and 2X2 Gb works fine? This link and OWC say otherwise

http://forums.macnn.com/69/mac-notebooks/358184/a-guide-to-macbook-ram-upgrades/

but it is hard to argue with a machine that is working!

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Answer 6

y_p_w

Level 6

17,762 points

May 2, 2008 10:19 PM in response to Dave B.

Dave B. wrote:
ypw is right according to OWC, where I bought my RAM. If yours is a Core Duo (not Core 2) then you will get a black screen with 2 X 2 GB installed. As he said, just put in one of the 2 GB for a total of 2.5.

I thought the first generation (Core Duo) maxed out at 2GB.

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Answer 7

Dave B.

Level 4

2,080 points

May 3, 2008 6:20 PM in response to y_p_w

I think you are right. I guess to use the 2GB module he needs to leave one slot empty, if that is possible.

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