4gb RAM on a MacBook Pro 3,1

Question

Level 1

8 points

4gb RAM on a MacBook Pro 3,1

Hello everyone!

I have been thinking of upgrading my macbook pro from its existing 2gb to 4gb so that my vmware for windows vista can work faster. I have been looking through the forums and some mentioned about a RAM cap at 3.2gb. Is that true?

Here's what my system profiler says:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP31.0070.B07

I will be obliged if someone can tell me whether I should still look into upgrading my RAM to 4gb.

Cheers,
Torrance

MacBook Pro 3,1, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 30, 2008 11:19 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,869 points

Oct 30, 2008 11:29 AM in response to ecnarrot

Your computer can use the full 4GB.

(37201)

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Answer 2

ecnarrot Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 30, 2008 11:34 AM in response to Niel

Great. Thanks, Niel!

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Answer 3

edrixc

Level 1

50 points

Nov 1, 2008 10:50 PM in response to ecnarrot

Those were the earlier macBookPro's 🙂 have fun with your 4 gig. Remember to get an apple specific RAM for better performance. I just got myself a RAM upgrade a few days ago... feeeeels sooo good. 🙂

Bought 2 kingston apple specific memory modules. Has been perfectly working 🙂

Goodluck! 🙂

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Answer 4

jshier

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2008 11:21 AM in response to edrixc

I have a similar config:

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP31.0070.B02

I bought Corsair Mac Memory (2x2GB) and installed it. The laptop will not boot after the memory has been installed. I also tried some non-Mac memory (OCZ) and had the same issue. After pressing the power button, all I get is a black screen and a steady blinking light on the front.

Any ideas what could be the issue?

Thanks

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Answer 5

jshier

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2008 11:23 AM in response to jshier

FYI - I also tried just a single stick of the new RAM (2GB) and it booted fine.

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Answer 6

jshier

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2008 11:54 AM in response to jshier

I fixed the issue. It appears to have been related to the firmware version. I upgraded from MBP31.0070.B02 to MBP31.0070.B07 and the new memory was recognized.

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