Benefits of adding RAM to older Macbook Pro

Assuming you have the non-Retina model you will get a greater performance increase by upgrading the laptop's original hard drive to an SSD since 8GB of RAM should be sufficient for most users. Most likely the already slow original Apple hard drive is either worn out or actually failing making the drive even slower.

If you have the 13" non-Retina model, then you may also want to replace the hard drive SATA Cable as well since this cable has an extremely high rate of failure on this particular model especially when using an SSD. OWC sells the hard drive SATA Cable:

https://eshop.macsales.com/search/?q=hard%20drive%20cable&filter.catidpath=3406

The Crucial MX500 series SSD is a good SSD and works well in this laptop and is a good compromise on cost & performance for an SSD. Just stay away from the Crucial BX500 series as it is a low end budget economy model that can be as slow as a hard drive.

Hi,

I think upgrading RAM helps system performance quite lot, and it's not that expensive these days.

Your RAM is DDR3L 1600MHz PC3L-12800 8GB SO-DIMM X2 which is available at Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/1600MHz-PC3L-12800-Unbuffered-Notebook-Tech/dp/B07JGSPGGZ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=DDR3L+1600MHz+PC3L-12800+8GB+SO-DIMM&qid=1614779685&s=computers-intl-ship&sr=1-2

notthesmarties wrote:

Thanks, I am amazed at some affordable deals. Found a set on Newegg for around $60 with CL9, which will be a bit of an upgrade. Not sure the difference will be noticeable, but might as well check every box I can.

Macs are very picky about the memory they use so it is best to purchase memory from Crucial or OWC. Use the tools on their respective websites to get the exact part numbers that are compatible with your Mac. When buying Crucial memory the packaging on the memory usually says "Mac Compatible". Getting Crucial memory that is not listed as explicitly compatible with your Mac may end up having intermittent issues (happened to me many years ago).

My next decision will be 8GB vs 16GB in a new Mac Mini in a few years. My current 2018 has 32GB, which is probably overkill but I do a lot more with that desktop using Spaces between work and home.

Definitely go with at least 16GB on a new computer since memory is not upgradable after purchase on the newer Apple laptops.

So I'm wondering if any other mid-2012 Macbook Pro users who have upgraded from 8GB to 16GB can share their experience before I blow $100.

I have the same model MBP. Here is data showing times for my slowest-launching apps after doubling the RAM and then doing a 6GB/sec SSD upgrade:

Base system as shipped:

4GB RAM and slow SATA 3GBps 5400rpm hard drive: Office and Photoshop Elements took 15-18 seconds to be ready to use.

First upgrade, double the RAM:

8GB RAM and slow SATA 3GBps 5400rpm hard drive: Office and Photoshop Elements took 15-18 seconds to be ready to use.

Second upgrade, inexpensive solid-state drive

8GB RAM and fast SATA 6GBps SSD: Office and Photoshop Elements take under 4 seconds to be ready to use.

Doubling RAM does not affect startup and app launch time.

+1 on the need to address the drive cable. Current best practice is to replace the cable at the same ti e you replace or service the drive.

In 2013 Apple change its RAM management. Free RAM is no longer the operatinve. Memory Pressure in the gree and Swap at or near zero indicate RAM is not an issue.

Also the make & model of the SSD can affect how fast the system is. A lot of SSDs these days are just low end budget economy models that are no faster than a tradition spinning hard drive. Also performance will slow down if the SSD is nearly full and cause the SSD to wear out faster.

You should either enable TRIM on the SSD or at the very least uncheck "Put hard drive to sleep when possible" located in the Energy Saver System Preferences.