Upgrade RAM Macbook Pro (Mid 2012) 9.2

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gonzalo275 Author

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Upgrade RAM Macbook Pro (Mid 2012) 9.2

Good day,

I have a Macbook Pro (Mid 2012) 9.2, with the following specifications:

MD101CI/A

Memory: 4 GB (2x2), DDR3, 1600 MHz

dual core Intel Core i5 de 2.5 GHz

Hard drive 500 GB, 5400 rpm.

Intel HD Graphics 4000.

And I would like to upgrade the RAM from 4GB to 8GB but I have a question related to the volt of the DIMMs,

some manufactures like Crucial have modules for this mac and the volt is 1.35 V:

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-%2813-inch-and-15-inch%2C-mid-2012%29/ CT4999407

** They suggested: CT4G3S160BM p/n

And Kingstone has this memory but the volt is 1.5V:

4GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz

Part Number: KTA-MB1600S/4G

Specs: DDR3, 1600MHz, Non-ECC, CL11, 1R, X8, 1.5V, Unbuffered, SODIMM, 204-pin

http://www.kingston.com/en/memory/search?DeviceType=3&Mfr=APP&Line=MacBook%20Pro %20%28DDR3%29&Model=78047

And I tried to find if the 1.5V is supported on my mac but I didn''t... even in apple.com or everymac.com.

Can you please help me with this, can I buy the 1.5V or my mac only supports 1.3V, there is a difference between this item? or do you have a list of compatible part numbers of different manufacters, like crucial, kingstone, corsair?

I'd appreciate your help,

Gonzalo.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jun 8, 2015 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Ralph Landry1

Level 8

41,850 points

Jun 8, 2015 12:05 PM in response to gonzalo275

The memory modules offered by Crucial, http://www.crucial.com and OWC, http://www.macsales.com that they specify for that MacBook Pro will work fine. They test and guarantee their memory to work with the Macs.

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Answer 2

gonzalo275 Author

Level 1

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Jun 8, 2015 12:10 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

But that does not answer my question...

Anyway, can I use this one:

Corsair Vengeance Laptop Memory Kit - 8GB (2x 4GB), PC3-12800, DDR3-1600MHz, 204-pin SODIMM, 1.5V, CL9, XMP Ready - CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9 ?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=170509 3&pagenumber=2&RSort=1&csid=ITD&recordsPerPage=5&body=REVIEWS#CustomerReviewsBlo ck

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Answer 3

Jun 8, 2015 12:15 PM in response to gonzalo275

There have been a number of users who could not get Corsair Vengeance ram to work in their Macs, the memory had timing problems with the Macs.

Same for Kingston Value Ram - seldom works.

The voltage difference is not a real problem, all of the low voltage memory moduels, that is, 1.5, 1.35 and 1.3 volts, work with the Mac logic boards.

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Answer 4

gonzalo275 Author

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Jun 8, 2015 12:19 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

Perfect, so I can buy one of the below options:

16GB kit (8GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.35V 1024Meg x 64

CT3373650

DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 • lead free • halogen free • for Mac
upgrade for Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch and 15-inch, Mid 2012) system.

Or:

8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.35V

CT4999407

DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • lead free • halogen free • for Mac
upgrade for Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch and 15-inch, Mid 2012) system.

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Answer 5

Jun 8, 2015 12:26 PM in response to gonzalo275

Yes, Crucial is reliable and has great support and guarantee policies.

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Answer 6

gonzalo275 Author

Level 1

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Jun 8, 2015 12:59 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

Ralph, my last question, I search the part number of crucial in amazon.com

In the crucial site

16GB kit (8GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.35V 1024Meg x 64

CT3373650

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-DDR3L-1600-PC3-12800-CT2K8G3S160BM-CT2C8G3S160BM/d p/B008LTBJFW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433…

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L-1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM Memory for Mac CT2K8G3S160BM / CT2C8G3S160BM

And this one

In the crucial website: 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.35V

CT4999407

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-12800-204-Pin-CT2K4G3S160BM-CT2C4G3S160BM/dp/B 008LTBITY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1433793…

Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM Memory for Mac CT2K4G3S160BM / CT2C4G3S160BM

Are the same???

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Answer 7

Oct 2, 2015 11:11 AM in response to gonzalo275

Hello,

I'm just a little confused. I'm seeing conflicting information all over the place about the proper voltage requirements for any RAM upgrades. I thought I read on another post somewhere that you should only use 1.35V RAM cards, so that's what I ordered from crucial:

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L-1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM Memory for Mac CT2K8G3S160BM / CT2C8G3S160BM

And I have to admit, the internet browsing is 90-95 percent better than before. However I am noticing a slightly longer boot up and shut down wait time. So I guess my questions are:

1) To clarify the 1.35V vs 1.5V RAM cards and

2) Is this a normal thing that happens with an upgrade of this magnitude? Or did I just fail somehow epically?

Thank you,

Jackie

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Answer 8

Dec 3, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Jaclyn's MacN

Hi Jackie,

1) Either are fine as the current to RAM is supplied by motherboard.

My MBP - same model - has a DDR3 type RAM at 1.35 Volts made by Hyundai - now discontinued see pic.

2) My friend has similar model w/16GB of RAM & yes the start-up times are slightly longer, but that could also

be because of stuff on HDD. An SSD would definitely improve those times.

Beyond that there is nothing of serious concern.

Which RAM type did you install DDR3 or DDR3L ?

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