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Level 1

0 points

Installing more memory on Mac OS X

Hi! I am looking to install more memory on my mac but haven't a CLUE of how to do it!! I was wondering if anyone could help me?! The technicalities of my computer are :

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB21.00A5.B07
SMC Version: 1.13f3
Serial Number: 4H64 *JWGL
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

I have almost filled up my memory as do a lot of graphic design on the computer and would like to install more memory if I can instead of using hardrives all the time. What is the max amount of memory my computer can hold? Where do I purchase the memory from and how do I install it??!!

Thanks ,

Eily (Ireland)

mac os x tiger 10.4.11, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1 GB memory

Posted on Nov 18, 2009 6:53 AM

23 replies

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Dec 2, 2009 10:52 AM in response to cornelius

Cornelius, about this portion of your post:

However, since you already have 1 GB installed, you need to add only a single href=http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S2GB/>2 GB >module to max out your RAM capacity.

Don't all new Macs come with both RAM slots filled? In Eye lash's case, this would mean the computer has 2 x 512 MB modules in the computer, not a single 1 GB module.
This would mean Eye lash needs to buy 1 x 2GB and 1 x 1GB of RAM for the machine.

~Lyssa

Eye lash Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2009 11:32 AM in response to frederic1943

Yeh its two 512 chips I have, SO I was thinking of buying one 2GB chip and having that alongside the 512 chip? Is that possible? Otherwise will just get the two 1gb chips 🙂

Dec 2, 2009 12:03 PM in response to Eye lash

That should work. That would give you 2560mb of memory. You can get another chip to replace the 512mb one later to max out the memory. OWC tested all the various configurations of memory. Your MacBook is probably the blue or gray one at the bottom of each test.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/MacBook/Testing/Memory_Benchmarks

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Dec 2, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Eye lash

Yeh its two 512 chips I have, SO I was thinking of buying one 2GB chip and having that alongside the 512 chip? Is that possible? Otherwise will just get the two 1gb chips.

I stand corrected. 2 - 1 GB modules will give you a total of 2 GB. Adding a 2 GB module in place of one of the 512 MB modules will give you 2.5 GB. You can later choose to swap out the 512 MB module for a 1 GB module, if you think it's necessary, to max out RAM to 3 GB.

😉 cornelius

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Dec 2, 2009 12:02 PM in response to Lyssa

Thanks, Lyssa. Makes perfect sense. I stand corrected.

😉 cornelius

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Dec 2, 2009 1:37 PM in response to Eye lash

Yes, that looks like a suitable drive for your computer Eye lash.

One other thing you may wish to consider is getting an enclosure to put your old drive in as well. This makes it easier to transfer its contents to the new drive, and lets you use it as an external drive for backup purposes or as additional storage.

While a firewire enclosure would be best it would cost more , and in your case a USB enclosure might well be adequate. Something like this one would do the job for you.

Cheers

Rod

Message was edited by: Rod Hagen

cornelius

Level 6

17,826 points

Dec 2, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Eye lash

Eye lash:

Sorry I missed your post about the HDD. As Rod noted, the Hitachi 320 GB 5400 rpm will work fine.

If you plan installing it yourself, directions have already been posted. The MacBook is one of Apple's easier laptops to service.

😉 cornelius

Dec 2, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Eye lash

You can get a 2.5" USB external hard drive enclosure for less than $5 on eBay if you don't mind waiting while they ship from China. I got 5 of them from there and haven't had any problems with them.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?nkw=2.5%22usb+external+hard+driveenclosure&LH_BIN=1&LH_IncludeSIF=1&_dmpt=PCC_Drives_Storage_Internal&_fcid=99&_l ocalstpos=&_sc=1&_sop=15&_sticky=1&_stpos=&trksid=p3286.c0.m301&gbr=1

You'll need something like Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your hard rive to the new one.

http://www.bombich.com/index.html

Installing more memory on Mac OS X