Level 1

0 points

MacBook Pro3,1 A1226 RAM upgrade to 6 GB?

I have a MacBook Pro3,1 A1226 with the 2 gigs of RAM that came with it when I purchased it back in 2008. I'm looking to upgrade the RAM and have noticed that Apple says the max is 4 GB, but the actual is 6 GB. What would people recommend? Would it be ok to get a 4 GB stick to add to the 2 GB already present? Would it be prudent to stick with upgrading to the Apple recommended 4 GB (and getting another 2 GB stick or two new 2 GB sticks)? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Bonus points if you can point me to the recommended stick on Amazon.com, as I have a couple other items that I need to get from them.

Once again, any help would be very much appreciated. Here is a screenshot of the memory specs:

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 28, 2013 8:28 PM

30 replies

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 11:19 AM in response to intzap

That's about right, so now it's more money buys better performance, less buys less. Your choice.

(The performance improvement is slight if you use 2 X 4GB chips).

intzap Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2013 11:26 AM in response to Csound1

Would it be safe to assume that the difference between 4X2 and 2X2 is more substantial than the difference beween 4X2 and 4X4?

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 11:30 AM in response to intzap

Yes.

Aug 29, 2013 11:42 AM in response to Csound1

If you are planning to get 8 GB of RAM (2 x 4GB sticks) you can look here for ratings. It's pretty expensive for RAM. My G.Skill 16GB was only $120 and has a really good rating.

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 11:48 AM in response to Solo Keita

OWC's price is $129.

intzap Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2013 11:50 AM in response to Csound1

Could you shoot me over the link for that? Thank you

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 12:00 PM in response to intzap

Arghh, no it's not anymore, it has been dropped from their list. Call and ask current pricing.

Is your Mac a Unibody or the earlier version (2008 is the crossover year)

intzap Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2013 12:04 PM in response to Csound1

Looks like it was made right before the crossover. Here are the specs: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-2 .4-15-santa-rosa-specs.html

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 12:06 PM in response to intzap

I misquoted the price to you, apologies (the later 2008 models have cheaper Ram), at close to $200 for 8GB I would buy 6 instead.

Aug 29, 2013 12:10 PM in response to Csound1

Yeah I had already looked into that. It's expensive now.

And all three A1226 models are before Unibody. That's how I knew before which type of RAM I was looking for.

intzap Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2013 12:13 PM in response to Solo Keita

Ok, so I think the verdict is that the 4gb x 2gb option is the best way to go then. Thanks a lot for all of your help, everyone!

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Aug 29, 2013 12:46 PM in response to intzap

You're welcome.

Aug 29, 2013 3:02 PM in response to intzap

No worries mate.

Mar 7, 2015 2:13 PM in response to Rick Warren

Hey Rick, How can I check my current firmware and how would I upgrade it to support 6GB of RAM with 2 4GB sticks?

Mar 16, 2016 11:25 AM in response to saksiri-san

hey Saksiri San

I might be wrong but....

I think your answer is at the beginning of the thread no?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MacBook Pro3,1 A1226 RAM upgrade to 6 GB?