Can you put 4GB of ram in a macbook that "only supports" 2GB?

jordan954r · jordan954r #1 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 02:07 AM

I just purchased my first mac, a MA701LL/A.

The max ram is listed as 2GB.

I already have 2x 2GB sticks laying around I can just throw in there.

Will this harm the computer in any way?

If it may become harmful to the computer I might just have to go buy 2 lesser sticks of 2x 1GB sticks then....

Also if anyone else has had one of these is it possible to get it to accept more than 2gb? Only asking because I know some of the newer macbooks, it shows max ram @ 4gb but you can somehow make it take 6gb...

Thanks a lot!
-Jordan

6string · 6string #2 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 02:54 AM

Welcome to Mac Forums.
Your MB will support just a smidgeon over 3GB RAM, and your best bet is to install matching RAM.
The RAM you need is 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM.
Here are all your options from OWC.
Memory Upgrades for your Apple MacBook 2.0GHz (13.3-inch Intel Core 2 Duo) at OtherWorldComputing.com

jordan954r · jordan954r #3 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 03:03 AM

ok... cool.

I have 2x 2gb sticks labeled pc2-6400, but they clock down to 4200 &/or *5300*

Will these sticks be good ? Do MB's recognize the different clock speeds of the ram and choose the right speed for it ?

6string · 6string #4 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 03:17 AM

I've heard of it working, but I would mess with it personally

I'd just get the right RAM, as I know Macs are quite picky about these sorts of things.

You can try it at your own risk.... as long as it's 200 pin, and it may or may not work, or it may or may not show you any benefit.
If it boots with that RAM, you can look in system profiler to see what the Mac is recognising, and in activity monitor to see what is going on.

ZachUSAman · ZachUSAman #5 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordan954r

ok... cool.

I have 2x 2gb sticks labeled pc2-6400, but they clock down to 4200 &/or *5300*

Will these sticks be good ? Do MB's recognize the different clock speeds of the ram and choose the right speed for it ?

it has to be the same clock speed or your going to have to overlock your ram to get to the same clock speed (this would be hard on the battery, and I dont know if theres much for mac overclocking).

also, 50 bucks for 4gb of ram? seems like the ram is either used... or hm, seems fishy.

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

09-19-2010, 03:33 PM

As long as they are 200 pin DDR2, then they should work. They'll just run at the bus speed of 667 instead of it's rated speed of 800Mhz.

It will recognize you have 4GB installed, but the machine is hardware limited to actually using only 3GB. Many of us (myself included) are using matching pairs to maintain dual channel mode instead of using a 2GB and a 1GB stick.

None of us will know for sure that they'll work until you put them in and try to boot the machine. The RAM is either still good or it's not.

jordan954r #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 19, 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 10 Mac Specs: MA701LL/A (C2D 2ghz, 2gb, 120gb HDD).	09-19-2010, 02:07 AM I just purchased my first mac, a MA701LL/A. The max ram is listed as 2GB. I already have 2x 2GB sticks laying around I can just throw in there. Will this harm the computer in any way? If it may become harmful to the computer I might just have to go buy 2 lesser sticks of 2x 1GB sticks then.... Also if anyone else has had one of these is it possible to get it to accept more than 2gb? Only asking because I know some of the newer macbooks, it shows max ram @ 4gb but you can somehow make it take 6gb... Thanks a lot! -Jordan MacBook Pro 13in (Mid 09). C2D @ 2.26ghz, 2gb ram, OCZ 120gb SSD
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,828 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	09-19-2010, 03:33 PM As long as they are 200 pin DDR2, then they should work. They'll just run at the bus speed of 667 instead of it's rated speed of 800Mhz. It will recognize you have 4GB installed, but the machine is hardware limited to actually using only 3GB. Many of us (myself included) are using matching pairs to maintain dual channel mode instead of using a 2GB and a 1GB stick. None of us will know for sure that they'll work until you put them in and try to boot the machine. The RAM is either still good or it's not. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

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Can you put 4GB of ram in a macbook that "only supports" 2GB?

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6string #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	09-19-2010, 02:54 AM Welcome to Mac Forums. Your MB will support just a smidgeon over 3GB RAM, and your best bet is to install matching RAM. The RAM you need is 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM. Here are all your options from OWC. Memory Upgrades for your Apple MacBook 2.0GHz (13.3-inch Intel Core 2 Duo) at OtherWorldComputing.com
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	09-19-2010, 03:17 AM I've heard of it working, but I would mess with it personally I'd just get the right RAM, as I know Macs are quite picky about these sorts of things. You can try it at your own risk.... as long as it's 200 pin, and it may or may not work, or it may or may not show you any benefit. If it boots with that RAM, you can look in system profiler to see what the Mac is recognising, and in activity monitor to see what is going on.
	QUOTE Thanks

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