christos77

Q: MacBook (unibody late 2008) - RAM question

Hi All,

 

I am fairly new to this community but from I have seen so far there is a lot of knowledge contained in these threats.

 

I have a MacBook (unibody late 2008) with the following specifications:

 

Hardware Overview:

 

  Model Name:          MacBook

  Model Identifier:          MacBook5,1

  Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo

  Processor Speed:          2 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache:          3 MB

  Memory:          2 GB

  Bus Speed:          1.07 GHz

  Boot ROM Version:          MB51.007D.B03

  SMC Version (system):          1.32f8

  Serial Number (system):          W8******1AQ

  Hardware UUID: ******

  Sudden Motion Sensor:

  State:          Enabled

 

 

After installing Lion a few weeks ago everything has significantly slowed down I feel that a revamp boosting RAM and memory would help. I currently have 2GB RAM (2 x 1GB) and 160GB hard drive. Hard drive details below:

 

NVidia MCP79 AHCI:

 

  Vendor:          NVidia

  Product:          MCP79 AHCI

  Link Speed:          3 Gigabit

  Negotiated Link Speed:          1.5 Gigabit

  Description:          AHCI Version 1.20 Supported

 

FUJITSU MHZ2160BH FFS G1:

 

  Capacity:          160.04 GB (160,041,885,696 bytes)

  Model:          FUJITSU MHZ2160BH FFS G1               

  Revision:          0081008C

  Serial Number:                  K64******N6T

  Native Command Queuing:          Yes

  Queue Depth:          32

  Removable Media:          No

  Detachable Drive:          No

  BSD Name:          disk0

  Medium Type:          Rotational

  Partition Map Type:          GPT (GUID Partition Table)

  S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified

  Volumes:

disk0s1:

  Capacity:          209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)

  BSD Name:          disk0s1

  Content:          EFI

Macintosh HD:

  Capacity:          159.18 GB (159,182,127,104 bytes)

  Available:          16.87 GB (16,865,333,248 bytes)

  Writable:          Yes

  File System:          Journaled HFS+

  BSD Name:          disk0s2

  Mount Point:          /

  Content:          Apple_HFS

Recovery HD:

  Capacity:          650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)

  BSD Name:          disk0s3

  Content:          Apple_Boot

 

I have done some research on line and I have the following questions:

 

RAM

1) What is the maximum RAM my mac can take without causing problems. Apple mentions that the maximum RAM is 4GB (2 x 2GB) but I have seen mentioned in threats that up to 8GB have been installed.

 

2) The RAM quoted in the specs from apple is DDR3 PC3-8500/DDR3-1066. Could I use a faster chip such as DDR3 PC3-10600/DDR3-1333 or is this upgrade not advisable.

 

Hard Drive

1) Is there a limit to the maximum capacity re hard drive. The maximum apple used to offer this model was 320GB. I would ideally would like to go up to 500GB to 1TB.

 

2) The specs of my existing drive are: 160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive. Could I get a faster disk, say 7200 rpm to increase performance and will this have any significant impact on battery life and heat?

 

Further more any recommendations in terms of any of the above welcome.

 

A lot of information but I wanted to offer all the info needed for meaningful advice.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

<Edited By Host>

MacBook, iOS 5.1, Unibody late 2008

Posted on Apr 14, 2012 4:59 PM

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Q: MacBook (unibody late 2008) - RAM question

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  • by raytooth,

    raytooth raytooth Apr 10, 2013 9:37 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2013 9:37 AM in response to christos77

    MacBook (unibody late 2008)

     

    Ram can upgrade to 4GB(apple), 6GB (max) is actual test.

    If u update to OS X mountain lion then Ram can upgrade to 8GB (max) actual test.

    original is use 1066 Ram,but this actual test can support 1333 Ram..

    so u can choose Corsair Mac Memory or Kingston Mac Memory.

     

    opinion,

    this is my personal actual test...by raytooth

  • by MindBrain,

    MindBrain MindBrain May 7, 2013 7:48 PM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 7, 2013 7:48 PM in response to christos77

    I just installed 8 gb of 1066 ram from OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

     

    Works fine for me, however I would recommend sticking to 1066 speed. If the 8 gb doesn't show up on your late 2008 aluminum Macbook then you don't have the correct firmware.

  • by MindBrain,

    MindBrain MindBrain May 8, 2013 9:09 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2013 9:09 AM in response to christos77

    If you need more information this article tells you everything  http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb   If you have Boot ROM version MB51.007D.B03 and at least 10.6.6 then the computer should have no problem recognizing and addressing 8gb of RAM

  • by leatine,

    leatine leatine May 29, 2014 3:59 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2014 3:59 AM in response to christos77

    Hi there,

     

    I know it's been a long time you didn't answer in this tweet but I'm having some trouble with my 8G upgrade RAM !

    and I hope you would be abble to help me

     

    I have a macbook aluminium late 2008, and you will find all its informations belong :

     

      Version de la ROM de démarrage:MB51.007D.B03
      Version SMC (système):1.32f8

     

    I'm running Moutain Lion version Logiciel  OS X 10.8.5

     

    Bt my problem is my 8G Ram was not recognized by my macbook so when I put it inside a really weird noise appeared (like biiiiiip biiiiiip biiiiiip) and I've seen on internet it means it's a non-recognization of my memory ram

     

    I bought this RAM :

     

    Kit 2x4 Go SODIMM DDR3 1066 MHz PC8500

     

    Does someone here could help me because i'm really lost, i have the good BOOTROM Version .... so it should have worked...

     

    and then I also tried to upgrade my EFI to the 1.4 firmware but it doesn't want to be installed on my macbook saying "My macbook doesn't need this upgrade".

     

    If anyone hears me: THANK YOU !!!

  • by KNWBagheera,

    KNWBagheera KNWBagheera May 29, 2014 4:53 AM in response to leatine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2014 4:53 AM in response to leatine

    Could be defective RAM. The first set of 2x4GB I installed didn't work. Sent them back and replacement worked like a charm. Same spec as you. Good luck.

  • by raytooth,

    raytooth raytooth May 29, 2014 5:10 AM in response to leatine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2014 5:10 AM in response to leatine

    os 10.8.5 is full working with 8GB Ram. 1st u must see u Ram is for mac certification or not. and see u Ram have problem or not... sometime is Ram have problem then will effect u mac. before fix Ram pls remove battery...

  • by spikesagal,

    spikesagal spikesagal May 29, 2014 10:11 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2014 10:11 AM in response to christos77

    I was reading through dubious opinions on this, so I decided to give a try. I have the original unibody 13" MacBook.

     

    The ram I purchased is CORSAIR Vengeance Performance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX8GX3M2B1600C9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233588). It runs at 1.35V, too. The only spec that doesn't match is the clock speed, which is 1600 instead of 1066/1067.

     

    When I installed the new ram, my MacBook refused to boot. As soon as I turned it on, it emitted several beeps while the screen remained black. That's it, nothing else happened.

     

    I tried several users' suggestion of leaving one of the old RAM chips working with the new one, in order for the motherboard to use the correct clock speed. Same exact thing happened -- my MacBook did not boot. I replaced the original RAM chips, and it booted just fine.

     

    In conclusion, whether it's the clock speed or not, the Corsair chips are certainly not compatible with my 2008 unibody MacBook.

  • by leatine,

    leatine leatine May 30, 2014 3:13 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 30, 2014 3:13 AM in response to christos77

    hi guys,

     

    first of all thank you for your very quick advices

     

    So I called Macway technical service and I'm gonna make an exchange for the CRUCIAL RAM (same spec as before 1066 ...) hoping they will be okay with my macbook !!

     

    they unfortunetaly don't have the OWC one ... but let's cross the fingers these one  will be fine as well  ^.^

     

    my SSD is a crucial one and it goes very well with my laptop so I hope Curcial RAM will go too... Anyway I'll tell you when I receive the package

     

    thanks again

  • by leatine,

    leatine leatine Jun 16, 2014 11:47 PM in response to leatine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2014 11:47 PM in response to leatine

    hi everyone, sorry for the time but i was in Corsica for holidays

     

    the crucial Ram 8go is perfect and my laptop is like new !!! thanks for your time and help

  • by Koryorel,

    Koryorel Koryorel May 12, 2016 3:41 AM in response to christos77
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 12, 2016 3:41 AM in response to christos77

    Hiya christos77,

     

    can you send me the link you use to buy your 8GBram please.

    I've got the same MacBook as you and i really need an upgrade.

     

    Thanks mate

     

    Kory

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