External RAM?

Question

Level 1

8 points

External RAM?

I would really like to be able to circumnavigate the 4GB RAM limit in my Macbook Pro. I know this is probably a long-shot, but is there a such thing as external RAM? I'm talking about some sort of device that you can connect via USB to add more RAM to a computer.

I just figured that if they can make external hard drives, why not external RAM?

Thanks!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 4 GB RAM

Posted on Jan 3, 2010 5:15 PM

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Answer 1

buser2

Level 1

9 points

Jan 4, 2010 1:48 AM in response to mitragyna

this website says that they tested 6gb of ram on the macbook pro and it works...

I am tempted to do it on mine but i just want to see if anybody else tried it

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/Pro/Core2/

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Answer 2

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jan 4, 2010 1:57 AM in response to buser2

The maximum RAM capabilities of the MBPs depends on which model you have, buser2.

Without information about the model number and processor speed it is impossible to properly answer your question. The earliest models can only use 2 Gig, later ones can use 3, later ones still can use 6, and the current ones can manage 8.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 3

Asatoran

Level 4

2,532 points

Jan 4, 2010 2:01 PM in response to buser2

buser2 wrote:
this website says that they tested 6gb of ram on the macbook pro and it works...

I am tempted to do it on mine but i just want to see if anybody else tried it

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/Pro/Core2/

IIRC, one of the issues that OWC had with the earlier MBPs is that they couldn't supply enough power to the DIMMs, which is why you are only offered to install one 4GB DIMM instead of two 4GB DIMMs like the later models. My 2008 Penryn Core2Duo 2.4GHz MBP was listed as possible to use just one 4GB DIMM (for a total of 6GB), but I've seen some people report of random crashes. It was never determined completely if the extra RAM was the cause or just a bad DIMM. I suspect that your 2007 2.4GHz MBP would be as compatible as mine, but if you have the pre-Penryn processor, then your CPU may draw more power. Whether that would cause you more issues, I cannot say. Likely the only way to know for sure is to buy and try. Ask OWC about their return policy, etc.

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Answer 4

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jan 4, 2010 1:59 PM in response to mitragyna

2.4GHz MBPs from 2007 can take 6 GB, mitragyna - see http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/AppleMacBook_MacBookPro/Upgrade

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 5

Jan 3, 2010 5:36 PM in response to mitragyna

Would be really wonderful if possible - but in fact it's not, sorry.

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Answer 6

mitragyna Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 4, 2010 1:43 PM in response to mitragyna

My MBP was made in September of 2007. It's a 15-inch 2.4GHz. So I'm guessing only 3 or 4 GB of RAM is possible...?

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Answer 7

mitragyna Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 4, 2010 10:51 PM in response to Rod Hagen

That is fantastic news. Thanks everyone!

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Answer 8

buser2

Level 1

9 points

Jan 5, 2010 12:12 AM in response to Rod Hagen

my macbook is
2.4GHz MacBook Pro 15" (Intel Core 2 Duo "Penryn" - February, 2008)

so according to the website my mac can have 6gb..now i just need to save some money :-D

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Answer 9

Network 23

Level 6

12,351 points

Jan 5, 2010 12:52 AM in response to Asatoran

Asatoran wrote:
Likely the only way to know for sure is to buy and try. Ask OWC about their return policy, etc.

Fortunately, OWC is one of the most reliable Mac retailers out there.

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