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MacBook Pro 2011 RAM Upgrade

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro. I recently decided I am going to upgrade my RAM from its standard 4GB. High intensity prodrams I run really destroy my ram and slow down my computer. The biggesst culprit is Parallels. Anyway, I was looking at 1x8GB from http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233250 or 2x4GB from https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_13 33MHz_SDRAM. I was wondering a few things. Which one is more reliable? Is it okay to only have one stick of RAM in? Could I keep one 2GB stick in and put in the 8GB as well?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3), 2.3 GHz i5, 4GB RAM, OCZ 120GB SSD

Posted on May 15, 2013 9:10 AM

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2 replies

May 15, 2013 9:37 AM in response to MacMan240

MacMan240 wrote:


II was wondering a few things. Which one is more reliable? Is it okay to only have one stick of RAM in? Could I keep one 2GB stick in and put in the 8GB as well?

I only rely on Crucial (Crucial.com) RAM for Macs. I have never purchase from OWC (Macsales.com), but that's another reliable RAM source from other forum members.


Yes, you can mix RAM sticks like you're suggesting. However, to get the best performance, it's best to use like RAM (e.g. 2x4GB or 2x8GB sticks). I would also make sure both are the same speed and voltage. As far as compatibility between the stock 2GB and a new 8GB stick from a 3rd party vendor, I don't know. I've always used 2 sticks from the same manufacturer.

MacBook Pro 2011 RAM Upgrade

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