MacBook 5,1: RAM upgrade to 6GB

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MacBook 5,1: RAM upgrade to 6GB

I currently use KINGSTON KTA-MB1066K2/4G 4GB KIT with no problem.
After a chat with macsales they insist and agree that after their tests macbooks 5,1 can have RAm up to 6GB.
I was wondering If anyone knows what will happen If I use one 2GB from KINGSTON KTA-MB1066/2G 2GB MODULE.

Thanks very much for your time.

MacBook 13.3'' Unibody (5.1), Mac OS X (10.6.4), 4GB RAM (KINGSTON KTA-MB1066K2/4G 4GB KIT), 500GB Seagate 7200 HD

Posted on Nov 10, 2010 6:27 AM

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Answer 1

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a brody

Level 10

82,841 points

Nov 10, 2010 7:03 AM in response to SpilioG

Your Mac only has two RAM slots. That means you'll have to find a 4 GB module to go along with your 2 GB module to upgrade to 6 GB. The Kingston 4 GB Kit as I Google it shows it is i two individual 2 GB modules.

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Answer 2

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:07 AM in response to a brody

Thank you for your quick reply.
That was my mistake. The correct module is KINGSTON KTA-MB1066K2/8G 8GB KIT from which I'm planning to use the one 4GB.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

82,841 points

Nov 10, 2010 7:08 AM in response to SpilioG

Why waste your money on a 4 GB RAM module that you aren't going to likely use?
Buy an individual 4 GB RAM module from a reputable vendor*:

http://www.macmaps.com/badram.html
And replace one of the 2 GB modules already in there.

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Answer 4

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:11 AM in response to a brody

I believe I'll listen to you.
The 2X4 modules are extremely expensive here in Greece.
I'll try a 4Gb from Macsales or Crucial.

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Answer 5

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:17 AM in response to SpilioG

Found it in great price (http://www.crucial.com/eu/search/searchresults.aspx?keywords=CT51264BC1067%204GB %2C%20204-pin%20SODIMM)

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Answer 6

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 7:23 AM in response to SpilioG

Doesn't mention your Mac model. Check the memory advisor.

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Answer 7

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 7:26 AM in response to a brody

Edit: nevermind, I read Pro, when you said it was not a Pro. Give me more time to research it.

Message was edited by: a brody

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Answer 8

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:26 AM in response to a brody

The "memory advisor" shows only the "apple approved upgrades" (up to 4GB and not the 6Gb that macsales.com testet).
Check the crucial link for your self: http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=F5A5E837A5CA7304

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Answer 9

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 7:28 AM in response to SpilioG

Exactly, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook says its maximum RAM is 4 GB. So no, you can't install more than 4 GB on it.

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Answer 10

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:30 AM in response to a brody

It's a complicated thing. I'll think about it and I'll contact again macsales for more info on this.

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Answer 11

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 7:30 AM in response to a brody

In other words, you might be able to put a 4 GB module in it, but it won't make any difference, it will only reliably read up to 4 GB. It might at times see more, but you are asking for timing difficulty, possible overheating, kernel panics, and freezes if you attempt to have more than 4 GB of RAM on your Mac.

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Answer 12

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 7:31 AM in response to SpilioG

Be careful to indicate your machine is NOT a Pro. That's what got me in the first place. They might have assumed you have a Pro.

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Answer 13

SpilioG Author

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Nov 10, 2010 7:32 AM in response to a brody

Thank you very much. You've been very helpful.

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Answer 14

Nov 10, 2010 9:15 AM in response to a brody

This is not true. The 5,1 MacBooks can read 6GB (1x4G and 1x2G), and macsales sells the appropriate kit (see the last option here):
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=299

Apple supports 4GB, officially, but 6 works.

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Answer 15

a brody

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Nov 10, 2010 9:47 AM in response to Jay Bullock

Apple's specs it is true do not always show the maximum RAM that can theoretically be addressed, since modules that big may not have been available at the time of the machine's released. But as my FAQ above indicates, superceding Apple's specs is not always wise. Timing of RAM is essential. It is so essential, an undocumented (by Apple) bug on 1 Ghz to 1.333 Ghz Powerbook G4s basically created bus slewing issues even if one stuck to specs. Apple put an exchange/repair program on the RAM for 1.5 and 1.67 Ghz Powerbooks relating to that issue, but it never got addressed on earlier models. I don't doubt that OWC has had success with it. But I am very leary of exceeding Apple's specs as a result.

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