Macbook Pro (2010) 16gb memory

Dear all,

I installed successfully the 16 GB RAM KIT from OWC (2 x 8.0GB PC8500 DDR3 1066MHz) on my MBP 13" Mid-2010 (MacBookPro7,1, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz). The system perfectly recognises the 2 8GB RAM cards and runs normally, however, when I reboot it I get random kernel panics.

I need to try the boot 3-4 times before the system actually manages to boot normally. When the system does not boot normally I get a black screen for long time until it eventually gets white before the kernel panic message. If I wait long enough 2-3 minutes before the next boot attempt the system will eventually boot normally. I was wondering if you have experienced anything similar and could give me suggestions concerning what might be the problem and what could be a possible solution.

Thanks a lot.

That is a strange problem, as stated before, all(?) 2010 13" MBP(7,1) models should support 16GB just fine. It's possible that the chips are somewhat loose, as this caused a similar problem for me a while back on a older MBP. But before you open it up, I suggest a SMC reset (Apple official guide here), as well as a NVRAM reset (here). if that doesn't work, try exchanging the RAM to opposite slots, make sure they're all the way in. I sometimes use a flathead screwdriver to lightly (and carefully) press them in, so as to be sure they're tight. If this fails, try returning the RAM and getting a new set. If that still fails, I can only assume there's another problem outside the scope of my help.

just to add my two-peneth rust received my OWC 16gb memory upgrade today and installs and runs fine without issues. took about ten days to arrive from us to uk but was well worth it.

Hi there , after reading a few pages . im rather confused.

So , is it safe to say that all mbp 2010 can support up to 16gb of ram as long as its running 1066?

It depends on who you get the Ram from (and the screen size), OWC or Crucial? the answer is yes. Anything else? post back and tell us how it went.

15" models are 8GB max.

"i've not gotten a new ram yet , but im very tempted to now.

but all ive been seeing is the 13" being compatible.

im currently using a 15" i5 2.40 GHz

that cool?

dont wanna order it online only to find out it does work 😟

thanks in advance ! '

Oh , thats bad. well thanks anyways 😀

15" models take 8GB max, 13" models 16GB.

Hi Everyone,

This seems to be the case, I have a Macbook Pro 6,2 and recently bought 2 x 4Gb 1333MHz Integral RAM sticks and thought that I had to go through the whole RAM clocking process and started to prepare all the myriad of things for the delicate SPD down clocking. I placed one stick into the laptop, just to check if it works with the RAM and voila, as expected it worked. So I had the MBP running with 6Gb RAM, no big deal. Then I decided, before I start flashing anything, to see if the 8Gb unflashed really would freeze the MPB. I placed both sticks into the MPB and fired her up....guess what...no freezing yet.

So unless, someone explains to me when it will freeze up or panic, I can safely say that the 2 x 4Gb Integral SODIMMS works perfectly well in my Mid 2010 MBP.

I have not tried any 16Gb config yet, hence cannot comment on the viability of such...this is just to prove that the unmodified 1333Mhz RAM sticks works on the MBP requiring 1066Mhz ones..

I hope this helps anyone out there still looking for 1066Mhz sticks

God Bless

Hey guys,

I'm one of the group looking for 16GB RAM upgrade on my mid 2010 MBP 13" Unibody. It was an old but lovely machine especially after I removed the super drive and installed a SSD together with the 500GB HDD. The only problem was the stock 4GB memory. After reading tons of threads I decided to give it a shot. I ordered a pair of Samsung 8GB DDR3-1600 SODIMM from Taobao (I'm in HK). Tried all the following combinations but didn't work. Just got a beeping sound when booting up the machine:

1. 8GB in one slot
2. 16GB in two slots
3. 2GB + 8GB in one slot

So I contacted the seller and he suggested me to bring over my MBP to his shop for some tests. Here is the result:

1. Samsung 4GB DDD3-1600 (8-chip model, 4-chip on each side of the RAM board) x 2 - didn't boot
2. Samsung 4GB DDR3-1600 (8-chip) x 1 - didn't boot
3. Samsung 4GB DDR3-1600 (16-chip) x 1 - didn't boot
4. Samsung 2GB DDR3-1066 (my original one) +Samsung 4GB DDR3-1600 (16-chip) - worked!

Then that guy used a RAM modder (I gave that name to that board) which was a PCB with two SODIMM slots, some chips and a USB plug to mod the Samsung 4GB DDR3-1600 (16-chip) RAM speed as 1066. What happened:

Samsung 4GB DDR3-1066 (16-chip, modded) x 1 - worked!

Now he modded two pcs of Samsung 8GB DDR3-1600 (16-chip model) to 1066 as top speed. And guess what, both worked beautifully on my mid 2010 13" MBP! See the pictures.

Here is the conclusion from that Taobao seller:

1. Apple machines are very picky. You should only try those well known brands including Samsung and Kingston.
2. On old machines like 2010 MBP, try to get a 16-chip RAM no matter it's 2GB, 4GB or 8GB. It's a bit more expensive but with much better compatibility with outdated machines supporting DDR3 RAM.
3. Pick DDR3-1066 if possible. Otherwise you need to mod the speed of the RAM as 1066 to cheat MBP like that seller did.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for great information so far. But I am still confused and putting this questions here.

I have MBP 7.1 version of Mid 2010 with latest 10.10 and 13 Inches and want to upgrade the RAM.

Found a good deal with the following specifications.

CSX-Nr.: CSXO-D3-SO-1066-8GB

Capacity: 8 GB

Modul typ: DDR3 204pin SODIMM

Pin: 204 Pin

Speed: 1066 MHz

Speed PC: PC3-8500

Chiporg.: 512x8

So experts, what do you suggest? shall I go for it?

So what you're showing here is in fact a MacBookPro7,1 (17'') with the integrated Intel HD graphics on 10.10 Yosemite..but where's the dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 330M (as there was no 17-incher with no dedicated graphics)? Did you end up disabling the dedicated graphics subsystem in order to get the 16GB setup running with no errors?

Looks more like a MacBookPro6,1. What RAM modules do you use (manufacturer, specs...)? Any problems running the MBP?

3 years on, and this thread is still going strong (Y) btw for those who need to know, I managed to upgrade my MBP 2010 2.4Ghz to 16GB RAM and running a 1Tb SSD. Works like a charm and boots in less than 15 seconds