Compatible Ram with Kingston

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Level 1

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Compatible Ram with Kingston

Hello all,

I am currently thinking about upgrading to 6gb from the 4gb on my Macbook Pro 4,1.

The question I have is if anyone has paired a 4gb RAM module with a Kingston 2gb module before. It would be more cost effective for me to just upgrade to one 4gb stick rather then by the same brand of 4 and 2gbs.

I saw a decent priced G.Skill 4gb module but a few people were saying it was not compatiable with other RAM but no one mentioned Kingston.

Any one ever paired any brand RAM with Kingston?

Thanks

MBP

Posted on Apr 25, 2011 5:18 PM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Apr 25, 2011 6:18 PM in response to thecarter

I'd recommend getting a new 6GB kit from OWC ($125) and sending back what you have now for a credit, that way the new sticks are matched as well as possible and both covered by warranty ...

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

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Answer 2

thecarter Author

Level 1

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Apr 25, 2011 7:01 PM in response to iVmichael

I've heard and read mixed reviews about them, thats one reason Im seeking another option and the trade in doesn't outweigh my situation. That is most likely going to be a very last resort.

Do you know of any resources that might have some information on this topic?

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,284 points

Apr 26, 2011 6:53 AM in response to thecarter

The caution repeated here often about Kingston is to avoid their value RAM in Macs.

The last complaint about OWC I saw here was a decade ago. I buy a lot of stuff from them and find their prices, products, and service excellent. They are one of only two vendors of Mac RAM that I trust. The other is DMS:

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/_apple_info/Apple_MacBook_Pro_Intel_Core_2_Duo_ 15.4_2.4GHz_Memory_1462.asp

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Answer 4

thecarter Author

Level 1

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Apr 26, 2011 5:40 PM in response to Allan Jones

Do you mean Kingston is cheap or "expensive" RAM and to avoid them for a) they are cheap or b) overpriced?

I havent had a problem yet (knockonwood now), so just curious about that. Also from my understanding the place I would order from has an open return policy if it doesnt work out, I just have to pay for restocking, I think overall small price to pay for a little hassel if I cant use both. I have to look into it all more but just trying to figure our best options with less hassel.

A few people I spoke to and read ordered parts that were what they ordered by marked differenty, ie. 2gb RAM module marked as so but turned out to be 1gb module. It didnt happen a lot but enought to be a little weary.

Thank you for your reply!

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Answer 5

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Apr 26, 2011 7:15 PM in response to thecarter

Kingston makes more than one line of RAM products. Their low-priced line is called "Value RAM" and has product numbers (part numbers) beginning with KVR. Those products are often found to work poorly or not at all with Mac notebooks, which are finicky about RAM. The better-quality Kingston line has product/part numbers beginning with KTR, and normally works fine in Macs.

Don't buy RAM from anyone who charges a "restocking" fee for faulty RAM that is returned. You can bet that such a vendor is getting its cost back from its supplier for anything that is returned, and the so-called "restocking" fee is to assure that they'll make a profit on it even if it proves to be defective. That's a racket and a rip-off, and you shouldn't support it.

MBP

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Answer 6

thecarter Author

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Apr 26, 2011 7:35 PM in response to eww

Looking at the package I have for the Kingston the model number is KTA... not sure if that is considered Value RAM or if it is the good kind, I assume it is good since its been working for the past 2 years and says Equiv.APPLE.

The restocking fee I was talking about if the two RAM modules did not like eachother Id send the single 4gb back but the whole fee thing does still apply.

I dont want to seem like a pain, with this topic, Its just theres quite a price difference by just bying a single module and mixing it compared to buying a whole new set.

Do you think it is worth the try with G.Skill paired with my Kingston? or does mixing have a good chance of not working?

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Answer 7

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Apr 26, 2011 7:42 PM in response to thecarter

What you have is the better Kingston RAM — I misremembered the KTA as KTR.

If I were you, I'd pass up the G.Skill RAM — which Mac-centric vendors rarely sell — and buy a 4GB Kingston KTA module.

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Answer 8

thecarter Author

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Apr 26, 2011 8:02 PM in response to eww

That was the first thing I did before I started my search. It looks like Kingston does not make 4gb modules for my model: http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=44854&mfr= Apple&model=MacBook+Pro+%28DDR2%29+15&search_type=&root=us&LinkBack=&Sys=44854-A pple-MacBook+Pro+%28DDR2%29+15-inch+2.4GHz+%28M-Touch&distributor=0&submit1=Sear ch

Is there another afforadable/good rating 4gb module you would suggest? I see crucial makes one but thats costs just as much as a set. I have heard bad things about Patriot so they are out, unless I am mistaken.

I really appreciate your thoughts!

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Answer 9

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Apr 26, 2011 8:06 PM in response to thecarter

Not sure if you mean mixed reviews on OWC or Kingston - I think you'll find OWC are used by a lot of folks and there are very few if any problems reported here. They do have a full money back / replacement warranty on everything they sell so there's no worries on that score. I've used them many times over the years for all sorts of hardware items and never had any grounds to be anything other than delighted.

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Answer 10

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 26, 2011 8:06 PM in response to thecarter

I'm sure many will find this objectionable, but it doesn't really make any difference whose RAM you install as long as it meets the specifications for your model as set forth in your computer's user manual. You will find quite suitable RAM at a reasonable price at Data Mem or OWC. The main concern is you purchase RAM with a manufacturer's lifetime warranty from a company that provides a good return policy.

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Answer 11

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Apr 26, 2011 8:23 PM in response to thecarter

It may be that Kingston's configurator doesn't show a 4GB module for your computer model because Apple's specifications say 4GB is the most it can use. That isn't true, though: it can use 6GB, and OWC (which I too recommend very highly, from long experience) will be happy to sell you a 4GB module to install in it…with a full lifetime warranty, no "restocking fee" in the event that you get a dud, and outstanding customer service and support.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S4GB/

It's not the cheapest you'll find, but the cheapest you'll find usually comes with restocking fees, perfunctory service, and absolutely no Mac-awareness or Mac support on the part of the vendor if you run into any trouble or questions. "Oh, you're using a Mac? Sorry, we can't help you with that."

I wouldn't buy Patriot or Corsair, either. Crucial, Samsung, Kingston, and OWC's "house brand" are the universal favorites among the old hands here.

MBP

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Answer 12

thecarter Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2011 8:37 PM in response to thecarter

If I went ahead and got the OWC 4gb RAM module to pair with a Kingston 2gb, they should "play nice"? Even though like Kappy said, it shouldn't matter unless both meet the system requirments.

I guess sometimes you just have to pay a bit more for quality and reassurance, being a student, saving a some money tends to look better :/

Thanks all for the help!

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