Adding more than recommended RAM?

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Adding more than recommended RAM?

I have a late 2006 model Macbook (13.3 inch Black) running Leopard (Mac OSX 10.5.8). Specifics: 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. It is running slowly and freezes/crashes programs (notably MS Word 2008 v. 12.3.5 and iTunes 10). Thinking about getting 4GB of RAM to put off having to buy a new computer. But Apple does not recommend more than 2GB of RAM for this model. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651#link3. But has anyone else upgraded the RAM and been fine?

I need something that can run iTunes, MS Office, and iLife reasonably well with a minimum of freezing or crashing. I am a music student finishing up my doctorate and need these programs to work well! Perhaps it's just time to upgrade to a new computer? My 2006 Macbook is still plugging along, so I'm hesitant to upgrade unless I have to...

I have 39GB free and 72GB used. Most of my information is stored on my 1TB WD external.

MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 11, 2013 7:32 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 11, 2013 7:44 AM in response to Jesse215

Crucial says that 2GB is the maximum amount of RAM that you can install in that Mac.

Maybe if you can post a crash dump here we might be able to figure out what is causing that to happen.

Allan

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Answer 2

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Mar 11, 2013 7:47 AM in response to Jesse215

If your MacBook is a 2,1 you can install 4gb but it will only recognize 3gb. http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/specs/macbook-core-2-duo-2.0-white -13-specs.html

I would recommend using activity monitor to see what is actually happening with your ram and processor http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1342

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Answer 3

Jesse215 Author

Level 1

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Mar 11, 2013 11:18 AM in response to Jesse215

Here's a screen shot of the activity monitor - I'm sure it's very high because I'm using Sophos to scan for anything untoward. I'm not sure how to do a crash dump, though. I can get into Library/Logs/CrashReporter and see individual logs. But the last log is from 3/1...and iTunes alone has crashed probably at least 5x today.

Would 3gb give enough space to the computer to make it worth the effort?

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Answer 4

Mar 11, 2013 11:53 AM in response to Jesse215

Generally running AV software is a sure fired way to cause poor performance on a Mac beside the fact that it is not necessary.

I would suggestion uninstall Sophos and seeing that has an impact on performance.

Allan

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Answer 5

Jesse215 Author

Level 1

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Mar 11, 2013 2:17 PM in response to Jesse215

Thank you for all of your help! I really appeciate it. I turned off Sophos, but I am hurting for space, particularly when I have to edit music in Garageband, iDVD, or iMovie. It looks like the 3GB won't fully solve that problem, so I'm going to go ahead and get a new computer. I alreayd have most of my music, documents, and photos on the exteral hard drive.

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