Macbook pro 5.1 (late 2008?) RAM update - how much?

Max memory is 8 GB's:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

Hi Deepandmeaningless,

I have the same macbook pro & system as you, apart from my Boot rom version ends B06, and am on Snow Leopard 10.6.8

I am looking to do the same as you and also have to upgrade to Lion & iCloud. But finding that people's advice is stick with 4 GB or 6GB (2x3) from Crucial.

I did find the OWC page as is given in the link but then got confused bty the recommended EFI update. So wasnt sure if the 8GB was the correct thing to do. Also MacTracker say it can take 8GB, but does not mention which EFI update it is on.

Did you upgrade to the 8GB's (2x4) ? How do you find it runs or did you do something else ?

Cheers

Frosty

Frosty698 wrote:

I am looking to do the same as you and also have to upgrade to Lion & iCloud. But finding that people's advice is stick with 4 GB or 6GB (2x3) from Crucial.

6GB is 1x 4GB and 1x 2GB - there are no 3GB modules.

I did find the OWC page as is given in the link but then got confused bty the recommended EFI update.

The EFI update only applies to the models with an asterisk by them. Which appears to include yours.

Run Software Update and see if it offers you an EFI update. I suspect it won't as the boot ROM version you quote appears to be correct.

If you want to be sure, here's the link for a direct download; http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1502

If you don't need it it will tell you so when you try to install.

Hi, cheers for replying. I found this a little while later

http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

It confirms this by saying that :-

EFI Firmware Update 2.8 was released on February 28, 2012 for the Later 2008 MacBook Pro. If you have installed that update, your Boot ROM version will beMBP51.007E.B06. If you have this update installed, you’re already able to install the 8GB without any problems and don’t need to perform further updates to install more RAM.

If your Boot ROM version does not match the numbers above, download the appropriate firmware updater for your model machine and install according to the instructions:

• For MacBook Pros (MacBookPro5,1)
  MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.8
• For MacBooks (MacBook5,1)
  MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.4

Once you have ensured that the Boot ROM is the correct version, make sure your Operating System is updated to OSX 10.6.6. You must be running Snow Leopardor later to address 8GB on these systems, and our testing was done with 10.6.6, which is the earliest version we’re currently supporting for this.

I saw on MacTracker it could do 8GB, but didnt know about the EFI firmware issue, but now all is cleared up. 8GB here we come.

Hey Frosty698,

My Late 2008 MBP has 2.4 ghz proccessor. Will 8g of RAM work with mine as well? SL 10.68. thanks.

Yes. The correct specifications for your MBP are: 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM.

Ciao.

Ogelthorpe,

Thanks for your help!

Hi Pieman

Is yours a 15" ? which model identifier ?

It seems to come down to a couple of things, as far as my research goes over the last couple of days, that it comes to knowing which model identifier, the BOOT ROM version & the SMC

My 15" MacBook Pro is :-

Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,1

Boot ROM Version: MBP51.007E.B06

SMC Version (system): 1.33f8

Which seems to be updated by the EFI update. The Apple official updates quote various reasons given below, but hidden in that was the ability to upgrade to larger 8GB ram from 4GB. (but for some reason Apple still quote 4GB max)

I cross referenced :-

Apple - Check your computer's EFI Boot ROM or SMC firmware version. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237

MacTracker, by downloading the free app

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

(eliminates the noise made by the optical disk drive) MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.8 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL975

(resolves a graphics issue that may cause the internal display to flicker.) MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.8 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1502

Hope this helps.

One method of screw control that I use is to put the MBP on a large sheet of white paper, as the screws are removed lay them on the paper, label where they came from and put some Scotch tape over them .... haven't lost one yet 🙂

deepandmeaningless, greetings: You said "And keep the screws in a bowl or something, those suckers are tiny and when they disappear on you are difficult to find.". If you disassemble on a large soft towel, it inhibits the screws from bouncing and if they do fall on the floor, a strong magnet sometimes can be useful.

Ciao.

OGELTHORPE wrote:

deepandmeaningless, greetings: You said "And keep the screws in a bowl or something, those suckers are tiny and when they disappear on you are difficult to find.". If you disassemble on a large soft towel, it inhibits the screws from bouncing and if they do fall on the floor, a strong magnet sometimes can be useful.

Ciao.

Tut Tut Ogel. You are completely ignoring Murphy's Law of Selective Gravitation, that's the one that causes small screws to adopt a random trajectory and acceleration after they hit the floor 🙂

Csound1, greetings: It is apparent the I must educate you and bring you up to date. I have abandoned Murphy's Law and adopted Leibowitz's Law instead as the fundamental guide to the vicissitudes life. Leibowitz's law succinctly put is : "Murphy was an optimist".

Ciao.

Cheers for your answers Deep.

I bought 8GB from Crucial yesterday for £34 yesterday. I have an early 09 MacMini too, & by a bit of luck have found it takes the same RAM as is in my MBP. so can take my 2x2GB out of my MBP & put them in my MacMini. Double the RAM in both machines for £34 :-) Later i might upgrade the MacMini to 8GB also as that runs iPhoto, iTunes, EyeTV & web browsing.

Now to the hard drives, been finding a few options on those too. Still a little unclear. Maybe a hybrid drive or i believe i can intall a flash drive into the express card slot to run the OS. Should help speed up the OS & opening applications.

Cheers Deep.

Leibowitz sounds like a positive kind of guy 😁