8 GB RAM works in Macbook 5,2 Early 2009

Hey rhtoc,

and this is a heads up to everyone too. My macbook 5,2 is running Lion and has been running smoothly since I installed 8GB 667 MHz DDR2. It's hard to say how hard my battery performance was affected, but it did shot up my fan use. It's pretty loud and often is on for a long time (1-2+ hours) but it's still kicking. But yea all and all it works great. I'll have to post what happens when I upgrade to Mountain Lion. Hope it helps!

I can also confirm that the 8GB of RAM upgrade works in the Macbook 5,2.

I purchased a SAMSUNG 8GB (4GBx2) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800(PC2-6400) pack for about $120 off eBay, and it works fine with the Macbook reading 4GB of RAM in each of the two slots, and saying 8GB is being used.

To the user who mentioned their fan is running a little louder now since the upgrade, I'm experiencing the same thing too. It's not a “problem” for me though, since I'd rather trade more memory for a slightly louder laptop.

I would like to update this post, if there is still anybody interested,

I managed to upgrade to 8gb using two 4gb modules komputerbay sodimm ddr2 667mhz

running on mavericks latest release and last efi avaible.

I must note that I could not boot using hynix module and I must think they were not compatible with the logic board.

Computer is running stable, I must check running times since i upgraded to sandisk ssd and new battery and getting around 4h wireless surfing

I advice these module since they are generally cheaper (100e for 2 4gb module) and showed better compatibility than others

Your success story motivated me to do the same to my early 2009 macbook. I just got the exact same memory today from newegg.ca and I'm glad to report that it works like a charm! The 8GB is detected and can be fully used. Woot, no more excessive paging! Now I can run two virtual machines, xcode, photoshop and two browsers seamlessly. Thanks for the post!

Hello everybody,

just in case anyone else is interested in this upgrade, I have just installed 8GB @800MHz Hynix RAM in my Macbook 5,2 Early 2009.

First tests starting.

For more info, check my post.

Cheers!

Hi Gera,

I haven't tried reinstalling the OS and I haven't upgraded to Lion yet. I don't think it would be an issue since I don't get any corruption errors at all. I use vmware virtual machine and Xcode daily and they both take a substantial amount of memory. I haven't had any problems yet and it's been several months now. I would suggest giving crucial memory a try.

Cheers,

Freddy HM

Waterloo, Canada

I've had 8Gig in my 2.4G Intel Core 2 Duo Ali Unibody MacBook5.1 late 2008 running 10.7.2 for 6 months plus now without a single issue.

Yea that's the one. You can probably get it cheaper on other sites if you look around. I've had this memory in my computer for a while now and I'm glad to say that it's been working like a charm. The battery life does drain faster if the full memory is being utilized, but it hasn't been too dramatic (30% decrease maybe). My battery is about to die anyways so I don't care. I'm curious to see the effects on a brand new one. Hope that helps anyone.

Almost 5 months now: running smoothly! I've noticed that the fan kicks in quickly, and stays on for a long time if anything remotely ressource intensive (ex: Xcode) is open. I guess it makes sense since the machine is working that much more. Hopefully, the fan won't crap out.

Hi kodie,

My name isn't jesse, but my reply might help you.

I just put 1x Crucial 4GB Single DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300 CL5 SODIMM 200-Pin (part number CT51264AC667) in my MacBook 2GHz model 5,2 (early 2009). It cames standard with 2GB, but I successfully upgrade it to 5GB. I hesitate to max it to 8GB because no major retailer suggest it, only 6GB (4+2) is suggested.

See that page : http://silverpanther.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/macbook-2009-8gb/

It works as long as you have the right firmware/boot ROM, 8GB will work. But there are issue regarding performance.

Other reference (OWC) : http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

Hi, I am very interested in upgrading my macbook to 8GB too, but I just have a question...

Have you tried to re-install/install snow leopard or lion with this memory?

and don't you get occasionally any corrupted files, whether files/photos/videos/downloads etc?? ...

I asked becuase I have tried to upgrade my memory before with other brands and I have had troubles, memory is recognized and the computer apparently works fine, memory passes all hardware tests... but in some tasks, in my case specifically when re-installing the OS or when working with files over 3GB (photos or videos) then files get corrupted and I get error messages....I know this is a memory issue because if I go back to the original memory then everything works fine. So I am just curious to find out if you really haven't had any issue using this memory.

Thanks,

(Macbook 5,2 Early 2009 - Lion 10.7.2 - 2GB Original Memory)

As you have found out I don't think you can install 8Gig in the white MacBook with DDR2s, I thought the highest you can was with a 2 and 4Gig resulting is 6Gig, but your tests prove that wrong, which maybe because your using lower speed chips 667 over 800, What does your system required? Ive tried and failed the same with the my iMac and had to lower my expectations to a 2 and 4, but got 8Gig into my 2.4Gig Aliminium unibody MacBook.

Well, ram is definitly ddr2 667, i'm talking about a macbook pre unibody

Tryed every combination possible with stick in the slots, i tryed also to mix

The ram with some old 512 stick ddr2 667 which alone, very slowly, booted

Fine, but no luck

I have the exact same firmware and smc as stated in other

articles but the computer does not even boot