HT201165: MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory

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Titojuanqui
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: maximun memory capacity for a McBookPro, Early 2008

I do have a McBookPro, Early 2008 with 2 GB memory. I would like to know which is its maximun memory capacity I can upgrade.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Feb 1, 2016 6:56 AM

by Courcoul,Solvedanswer
Courcoul Courcoul
Level 6 (14,193 points)
A:

Unfortunately, that means you have 3 scenarios, none altogether happy:

  • Stick two 2GB DIMM sticks and have a max of 4G.
  • Stick two 4GB DIMM sticks, but will only be able to use 6 of the 8GB.
  • Stick one 4GB and one 2GB DIMM sticks, get just the 6GB max, but with a slight performance hit since the sticks are not identical (memory management can't parallelize access to the sticks and must use them in serial fashion).

Best bet is #2.

Posted on Feb 2, 2016 8:45 AM

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Titojuanqui

Q: maximun memory capacity for a McBookPro, Early 2008

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Feb 2, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Titojuanqui
    Level 10 (311,993 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Titojuanqui

    6GB.

     

    (139052)

  • by Titojuanqui,

    Titojuanqui Titojuanqui Feb 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to Niel

    Thanks a lot.

  • by Courcoul,Solvedanswer

    Courcoul Feb 2, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Titojuanqui
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Titojuanqui

    Unfortunately, that means you have 3 scenarios, none altogether happy:

    • Stick two 2GB DIMM sticks and have a max of 4G.
    • Stick two 4GB DIMM sticks, but will only be able to use 6 of the 8GB.
    • Stick one 4GB and one 2GB DIMM sticks, get just the 6GB max, but with a slight performance hit since the sticks are not identical (memory management can't parallelize access to the sticks and must use them in serial fashion).

    Best bet is #2.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Feb 2, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 8 (35,054 points)
    iPad
    Feb 2, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Courcoul

    Courcoul wrote:

    Unfortunately, that means you have 3 scenarios, none altogether happy:

    • Stick two 2GB DIMM sticks and have a max of 4G.
    • Stick two 4GB DIMM sticks, but will only be able to use 6 of the 8GB.
    • Stick one 4GB and one 2GB DIMM sticks, get just the 6GB max, but with a slight performance hit since the sticks are not identical (memory management can't parallelize access to the sticks and must use them in serial fashion).

    Best bet is #2.

     

    When 4GB modules became available for MacBook Pros with the architecture of the Late 2007 and Early 2008 models, there were quite a number reports in these forums of those models failing to boot if two 4GB modules were installed. Given the usually high cost/GB of the 4GB modules and the acceptable effect of mismatched pairs on performance, I vote for #3

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Feb 2, 2016 9:22 AM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 9:22 AM in response to Allan Jones

    Up and until Mac portables ceased to come with their memory in removable sticks, prices used to have a weird curve. The latest highest density would be outrageously expensive, the previous generation or two would be quite cheap and as you went back in time (and smaller sizes), price would climb up again cause the ancient types would be out of production and scarce.

     

    One other thing, OP, if you go about upgrading, BE SURE you purchase Mac Certified memory. Macs are extremely finicky as to RAM and any old El Cheapo stick will either not work (won't start), or cause weird problems later on.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Feb 2, 2016 9:24 AM in response to Titojuanqui
    Level 9 (50,282 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 2, 2016 9:24 AM in response to Titojuanqui

    6GB

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Feb 2, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 9 (53,695 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 2, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Courcoul

    If the OP is in the USA I would recommend calling OWC = macsales.com and see what their technical advisor has to say.  They sell good quality RAM and can address the 6 vs 8 issue with reference to what they sell.

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Feb 2, 2016 9:32 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 9:32 AM in response to Limnos

    Interesting trivia. Since most RAM sticks come with a lifetime warranty, the memory almost always outlives the Mac....

  • by Allan Jones,Helpful

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Feb 4, 2016 4:39 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 8 (35,054 points)
    iPad
    Feb 4, 2016 4:39 AM in response to Courcoul

    Courcoul wrote:

    The latest highest density would be outrageously expensive, the previous generation or two would be quite cheap and as you went back in time (and smaller sizes), price would climb up again cause the ancient types would be out of production and scarce.

    Absolutely true. Unfortunately those special 4GB sticks for the the OP's MBP are still sporting stratospheric prices:


    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/Pro/Core2/

     

    two 2GB modules: US$35.99 or $9 per GB

    one 4GB module: US$107.99 or $27 per GB