Considering Upgrading MacBook Pro Memory

rpb161 · Feb 25, 2012

I'm considering upgrading the memory in my mid-2010 15" macbook pro from 4 GB to 8 or 16 GB (if possible). My current set is as follows: memory is a 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, and processor is a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5. Here's my questions:

1) Can I upgrade my memory to 8 or 16 GB?
2) If I can, should I only be looking for DDR3 units?
3) When I'm looking at memory like 16 GB, i see options like 4x4 GB or 2x8 GB. What are the differences here? Pros/Cons? Etc.

Thanks!

MacAddict. · Feb 25, 2012

1. Yes apple says 8 gb max but mactracker (Always accurate)

2. Scan your macbook with crucial.com for the exact and compatible memory units

3. There is no noticeable difference, either work

Just a question, what programs are you using that would require such large amounts ram? 8gb should be sufficient for anything

rpb161 · Feb 25, 2012

MacAddict. said:
1. Yes apple says 8 gb max but mactracker (Always accurate)

2. Scan your macbook with crucial.com for the exact and compatible memory units

3. There is no noticeable difference, either work

Just a question, what programs are you using that would require such large amounts ram? 8gb should be sufficient for anything

Thanks for the reply MacAddict. Photo/video editing. It's something I've been getting into a lot recently. I'd like to have enough for now and a couple years down the road.

Shootist · Feb 26, 2012

Well if it can take 16GB and you really need that much RAM then that is what you should get.
But 16GB is like 4-5 times more expensive then 8GB. 8 for $50+/- 16 for $220++.

To see if you need 16GBs run Activity Monitor while you are editing videos and watch the Page ins and Page outs and what Swap used amount is.

If the Page outs are high and you Swap used is high then maybe, and I do mean MayBe, 16GBs would be better.

rpb161 · Feb 27, 2012

Shootist said:
Well if it can take 16GB and you really need that much RAM then that is what you should get.
But 16GB is like 4-5 times more expensive then 8GB. 8 for $50+/- 16 for $220++.

To see if you need 16GBs run Activity Monitor while you are editing videos and watch the Page ins and Page outs and what Swap used amount is.

If the Page outs are high and you Swap used is high then maybe, and I do mean MayBe, 16GBs would be better.

I don't think 16 GB is compatible with my current setup. According to the crucial.com analyzer, the max memory I can run is 8 GB, which I think is more than sufficient. And for about $45, that's not bad...

Here's the specs I came away with:

Memory Type: DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 8GB
Currently Installed Memory: 4GB
Total Memory Slots: 2
Available Memory Slots: 0

Stretch · Feb 27, 2012

rpb161 said:
I'm considering upgrading the memory in my mid-2010 15" macbook pro from 4 GB to 8 or 16 GB (if possible). My current set is as follows: memory is a 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, and processor is a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5. Here's my questions:

1) Can I upgrade my memory to 8 or 16 GB?
2) If I can, should I only be looking for DDR3 units?
3) When I'm looking at memory like 16 GB, i see options like 4x4 GB or 2x8 GB. What are the differences here? Pros/Cons? Etc.

Thanks!

Re number 3: you need the 2x8GB option, you only have 2 RAM slots, so there is no physical way to use 4x4GB RAM chips.

Considering Upgrading MacBook Pro Memory

rpb161

MacAddict.

rpb161

Shootist

rpb161

Stretch

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