MacBook Pro - MBP upgrade to 4 gigs?

plague27 · plague27 #1 (**permalink**)

02-11-2008, 07:10 PM

I am looking into getting 4 gigs of memory of newegg. I am curious if there is a difference between memory advertised as apple compatible and just regular plain jane pc-5300 notebook memory. Thanks.

asimplefarmer · asimplefarmer #2 (**permalink**)

02-11-2008, 09:03 PM

I use pc2-5400 in my MB

PC2-5400 and 5300 are the same deal so I say go for it as long as your MBP supports it!

NPuter · NPuter #3 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 07:40 AM

just make sure you don't buy it from apple...
$1,000 for 4gigs is unbelievable
got mine from newegg for $74

Noxian · Noxian #4 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPuter

just make sure you don't buy it from apple...
$1,000 for 4gigs is unbelievable
got mine from newegg for $74

No kidding I was looking at Ncix (Canadian parts company) and they had a dual channel kit for 99$ Canadian.

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #5 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 11:46 AM

RAM is pretty much all the same within it's classes i.e.: 5300, 2600, etc. Just keep your original RAM chips in case you need to send it back to Apple for repair. Apple RAM is no better, IMHO than anything else as long as whatever you are buying has a replacement guarantee of worth. I have 4GB of OWC RAM in my MB and it runs just fine.

plague27 · plague27 #6 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 02:52 PM

How do I know if it is compatible with a mac? I ordered some cheap 80 dollars 2x2 gig sticks off newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231135
and am just curious if I can expect them to be fine. People reported them working in Mac's so I can't help but wonder.

Evermore · Evermore #7 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 08:05 PM

i got a mbp 2.16ghz and i got 2gb ram already, but i was wondering if the max for my model is 3gb?? cause i think only the newer chipset can handle 4gb. also you think there would be a difference from 2 to 3 or not worth it?

Big-Foot · Big-Foot #8 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimplefarmer

I use pc2-5400 in my MB

PC2-5400 and 5300 are the same deal so I say go for it as long as your MBP supports it!

The 5400 RAM will work with faster refresh rates but will work fine in machines like ours that call for the slower 5300 spec.

I am using 2-2GB sticks (total 4GB) of 5400 in mine...

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #9 (**permalink**)

02-12-2008, 11:22 PM

Both 3GB and 4GB have worked in my MB. The performance was pretty large going from 2GB to 3GB, but not quite as much going to 4GB. Haven't seen any beachballs in quite a while now...

ratc21 · ratc21 #10 (**permalink**)

02-13-2008, 07:19 PM

Along these same lines.....I've ordered 4g of ram from Crucial.com for my MBP 2.4ghz and was wondering if there is documentation online somewhere that shows where/how to replace the ram in a MBP? (I've done this many times on a pc but never on a mac.) Is the memory accessible from the bottom? Thanks for any help.

Noxian · Noxian #11 (**permalink**)

02-13-2008, 08:00 PM

Here you go
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacB...Core-2-Duo/115

ratc21 · ratc21 #12 (**permalink**)

02-13-2008, 09:18 PM

Perfect.....thank you!

Thedspeth · Thedspeth #13 (**permalink**)

02-13-2008, 09:57 PM

Warning: HIJACK : Warning

I'm also considering upgrading my new MBP from 2 Gig to 4 Gig. I have to say that, while I have a fairly good understanding of software, I don't understand some of the innerworkings of computer hardware.
When you talk about speed... (rendering of video, opening and closing and running large programs like pro tools... running high quality audio live on stage with reliability ) how much has to do with your processor and how much to do with RAM?
In other words, should I expect much better render times, etc.., with 4 gigs of ram or will it be overkill....
Or is it just too cheap to NOT buy???

Gnebulous · Gnebulous #14 (**permalink**)

02-14-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thedspeth

When you talk about speed... (rendering of video, opening and closing and running large programs like pro tools... running high quality audio live on stage with reliability ) how much has to do with your processor and how much to do with RAM?
In other words, should I expect much better render times, etc.., with 4 gigs of ram or will it be overkill....
Or is it just too cheap to NOT buy???

I have very little experience with high-end audio software, but I DO have experience with high-end graphics programs and the more RAM the better. I'm sure it's the same with audio apps. If you have multiple programs open at the same time a memory upgrade will definitely give you a performance boost.

Plus, upgrading memory is a heck of a lot cheaper than upgrading your processor (which could also mean buying a whole new motherboard, which essentially could lead to buying a whole new machine). With how cheap memory is nowadays, I'd say make the jump to 4gb. I'm positive you'll see an increase in performance!

kgeier82 · kgeier82 #15 (**permalink**)

02-14-2008, 11:32 AM

ANYTHING thats 5300 or 5400 will work.

i read an article a few months ago stating that its all in how Manufacturers round digits with the memory. They are the same.

XJ-linux #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,125 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	02-12-2008, 11:46 AM RAM is pretty much all the same within it's classes i.e.: 5300, 2600, etc. Just keep your original RAM chips in case you need to send it back to Apple for repair. Apple RAM is no better, IMHO than anything else as long as whatever you are buying has a replacement guarantee of worth. I have 4GB of OWC RAM in my MB and it runs just fine. ,_____o00o _ //___l__,\____\,__ l_--- \___l---OlllllllO (o)_)-o- (o)_)--o-)_)
	QUOTE Thanks

Evermore #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 31, 2006 Posts: 223 Mac Specs: MPB c2d 2.16ghz, 2gb RAM, 120gb Harddive	02-12-2008, 08:05 PM i got a mbp 2.16ghz and i got 2gb ram already, but i was wondering if the max for my model is 3gb?? cause i think only the newer chipset can handle 4gb. also you think there would be a difference from 2 to 3 or not worth it? Evasive-Media Group [ MBP ] 15.4" - 2.16ghz C2D - 2gb RAM - 120gb HD [ MBP ] Evermore
	QUOTE Thanks

XJ-linux #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,125 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	02-12-2008, 11:22 PM Both 3GB and 4GB have worked in my MB. The performance was pretty large going from 2GB to 3GB, but not quite as much going to 4GB. Haven't seen any beachballs in quite a while now... ,_____o00o _ //___l__,\____\,__ l_--- \___l---OlllllllO (o)_)-o- (o)_)--o-)_)
	QUOTE Thanks

kgeier82 #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 01, 2006 Posts: 1,495 Mac Specs: MBP 2.4/2GB/200HD/256 8600gt	02-14-2008, 11:32 AM ANYTHING thats 5300 or 5400 will work. i read an article a few months ago stating that its all in how Manufacturers round digits with the memory. They are the same. 2.4ghz Unibody \| Hitachi 320GB 7200 \| 256MB 9600gt
	QUOTE Thanks

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MacBook Pro - MBP upgrade to 4 gigs?

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plague27 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2007 Posts: 12	02-11-2008, 07:10 PM I am looking into getting 4 gigs of memory of newegg. I am curious if there is a difference between memory advertised as apple compatible and just regular plain jane pc-5300 notebook memory. Thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

asimplefarmer #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 13, 2008 Posts: 3	02-11-2008, 09:03 PM I use pc2-5400 in my MB PC2-5400 and 5300 are the same deal so I say go for it as long as your MBP supports it!
	QUOTE Thanks

plague27 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2007 Posts: 12	02-12-2008, 02:52 PM How do I know if it is compatible with a mac? I ordered some cheap 80 dollars 2x2 gig sticks off newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231135 and am just curious if I can expect them to be fine. People reported them working in Mac's so I can't help but wonder.
	QUOTE Thanks

ratc21 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 56 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 15", 2.4 Ghz, 4 gb, 500g, Lion; iPhone 4, 16gb; iPad 2 32gb, WiFi; iPhone 4s, 32gb	02-13-2008, 07:19 PM Along these same lines.....I've ordered 4g of ram from Crucial.com for my MBP 2.4ghz and was wondering if there is documentation online somewhere that shows where/how to replace the ram in a MBP? (I've done this many times on a pc but never on a mac.) Is the memory accessible from the bottom? Thanks for any help.
	QUOTE Thanks

Noxian #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 542 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 2.2ghz, 3GB, 250GB - 16GB White iPhone 3G - 2nd Gen 1GB Shuffle	02-13-2008, 08:00 PM Here you go http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacB...Core-2-Duo/115
	QUOTE Thanks

ratc21 #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 56 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 15", 2.4 Ghz, 4 gb, 500g, Lion; iPhone 4, 16gb; iPad 2 32gb, WiFi; iPhone 4s, 32gb	02-13-2008, 09:18 PM Perfect.....thank you!
	QUOTE Thanks

Thedspeth #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 25, 2007 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 154 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 2.2ghz 2G 15.5" 10.5.2; Iphone 3G	02-13-2008, 09:57 PM Warning: HIJACK : Warning I'm also considering upgrading my new MBP from 2 Gig to 4 Gig. I have to say that, while I have a fairly good understanding of software, I don't understand some of the innerworkings of computer hardware. When you talk about speed... (rendering of video, opening and closing and running large programs like pro tools... running high quality audio live on stage with reliability ) how much has to do with your processor and how much to do with RAM? In other words, should I expect much better render times, etc.., with 4 gigs of ram or will it be overkill.... Or is it just too cheap to NOT buy???
	QUOTE Thanks

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