Uncut Guide To RAM For Macs

I have a constant flow of emails reaching my inbox subjecting RAM on a day-to-day basis. I struggle to keep up with all of these emails/questions, and see the need for a detailed piece on a few of the most frequently asked questions.

Let’s start with a quick explanation of RAM for those who know the term, but aren’t exactly familiar with what it does.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a memory storage system that allows information to be stored and accessed in any order. It is much faster for the other parts of the computer to access information stored in RAM than to access data stored on the Hard Drive of the computer.

The main characteristic with this type of memory is that it only stores information while the computer is switched on, once the computer has been switched off the contents of RAM are erased.

RAM From Apple

Truth be told - Apple charge an obscene amount for their RAM. It can’t be proved to be any better than RAM from any third party vendor.

RAM upgrades are one way Apple continually make money when people purchase Macs off the online store. The most frequent reasons being users think it’s hard to install RAM, they don’t understand the market and actual retail price, or they feel it’d be easier to have it installed before it arrives.

The latter option is poor to say the least, upgrading the RAM when building a machine on the online Apple store delays shipment of your Mac. Even if the shipping time is delayed by just a single day, do you really feel it’ll take 24 hours to install RAM? Is it really saving you time?

RAM is very easy to install, especially if you’re running a modern Intel Mac. The Mac mini is the only exception to the line of Apple products, the RAM installation will take a little more effort than the Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook, or MacBook Pro.

Using 3rd Party RAM

It’s perfectly safe to use RAM from reputable third party dealers (as listed below). It is perfectly safe to purchase RAM from third-party vendors after you purchase your Mac, as long as they meet Apple RAM specifications.

The dealers below all offer products which meet required qualification to match all Apple RAM specifications. Most of the sites will indicate technical specifications on the product info page, letting you know if they meet the strict Apple guidelines. If you can’t see this note, contact the vendor before placing an order.

In a nutshell, as long as you keep your eyes pealed for those magic words Apple Certified, you’ll be perfectly safe using the memory.

Performance

A question which is so frequent on Mac forums I might as well create a TextExpander snippet detailing the following few paragraphs - is will extra RAM make my machine ‘quicker or snappier?’ The answer in short is yes, the longer answer is maybe.

It all breaks down to what you’re doing with your Mac. Are you currently pushing it to its boundaries? I’d recommend anyone running with under 1GB of RAM to upgrade, especially if you’re running Leopard. Past the 1GB stage, it become harder to say I recommend everyone purchase more.

RAM is a one of the most simple things you can replace or add to your machine to gain performance. The general rule of thumb is 1GB of RAM to each core for the best performance. Meaning 2GB of RAM in Core Duo/Core 2 Duo iMacs, MacBook Pros, and MacBooks is optimal if you want to squeeze every ounce of performance from your Mac.

RAM does make a different to overall system performance. Once you break the 2GB barrier, jumping from 2-4 and further onward will reap smaller increases in speed the upgrade from 1GB to 2GB shows a great change under normal daily use. The upgrade from 2GB to 4GB for general daily use does not.

Pairing For Performance

For the maximum performance benefit possible, Apple recommends that two modules of the same size be installed to enable 128MBit memory addressing in machines such as the iMac and MacBook/Pros. This means using two identical sticks of RAM (in size) to make the most of 128MBit memory addressing (ultimately speeding up the RAM/system).

The Mac Pro follows the same trend, however it’s a little different. To take advantage of the Mac Pro’s 256 bit memory data path, you’ll want to populate both memory riser cards, each with at least one matched pair. If you put your memory on only one riser, you are dropping from quad channel to dual channel mode

Machine Limitations

The questions is often arising on how much RAM different Macs can hold. Here’s a list of the current Apple Macintosh lineup and their RAM limitations based on the motherboard allowances (with the exception of the Mac Pro, it can hold more than 32GB, but there are no larger DIMMS on the market than 4GB at this point in time.

32GB - Mac Pro 2.0/2.66/3.0Ghz (With 4GB DIMMS)
4GB - iMac 2.4/2.8Ghz
4GB - MacBook 2.0/2.2Ghz
4GB - MacBook Pro 2.2/2.4/2.6Ghz
2GB - Mac mini 1.83/2.0Ghz

Where To Purchase

I favor two vendors when purchasing RAM. OWC MacSales and Omni Technologies. I’ve used both vendors in the past and have been super impressed with customer service, delivery time, packaging, and quality of product from each.

They are both pretty competitive in pricing. 4GB of Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro RAM from MacSales will run you $125.00, while purchasing the same from Omni Technologies will run you $175.00.

Other reputable vendors you might like to check out include Crucial, Data Memory Systems, NewEgg, and TransIntl.

Comments

#1
Thomas

‘RAM is very easy to install, especially if you’re running a modern Intel Mac. The Mac mini is the only exception to the line of Apple products, the RAM installation will take a little more effort than the Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook, or MacBook Pro.’

Little more effort? Certainly an understatement there!
#2

Loweded Wookie → web.mac.com/lowededwookie

Actually installing RAM in a Mac Mini isn’t that difficult if you know what you’re doing. Yes it is more time consuming but it can be done in less than 10 minutes.

This has actually reminded me to make a video of this.
#3

Moritz → vdblog.de

Hi Glenn,
Is it true that i could install 4gb of ram in a macbook?
because i dont own the new macbook revision (the first with core2duo 2ghz 1gb ram).
bye
moritz
#4

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

Truth be told - Apple charge an obscene amount for their RAM

LOL dissing apple now, im sure your tying your best to keep low with you apple fetish haha!
#5

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

Is all the macbook and macbook pro ram the same?
Or is it different?
#6
Justin

On a santa rosa macbook(the new ones), you can install 4 gb of ram now, which leopard does good with.

MBP and MB ram are the same now, I believe.
#7

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

Thanks justin, does leopard run god on 1gb standard or should i upgrade? Im getting a black macbook soon you se.
#8
Justin

I think you should upgrade as far as money will let you. I heard leopard would do good on 1 gb, but it is always better to have more if you can afford it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231135

Glenn points out some great vendors to buy from, but if you are in the states I would recommend newegg. Their shipping times are amazing.
#9
Blair Beckwith

@Moritz: A non-Santa Rose MacBook can ‘accept’ 4 GB of RAM, however, only 3.3 GB will be accessed by the machine.
#10
Josh

You ARE a mac fan boy because you constantly talk about random Mac things and write long posts about how you like the swishy navigations? Lol… You write long essays about how you like small things but overlook it when apple messes up on big things. This is the fanniest boy blog I’ve ever seen.
#11

Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

Josh. I write about random Mac things because that’s what this is, a Mac blog. Don’t like it? Don’t read it. What else do you expect to see on an Apple/Mac blog? I do write about things when Apple mess up, check the archives for dozens of examples.
#12

Adan → freewebs.com/adamfishercox

Great blog, Glenn, but give it a proof read. The two things that jumped out at me were

“Apple charge an obscene amount for their RAM which can’t be proved to be any better than RAM from a third party vendor.” Thats like 3 different verb tenses :D

And “third-party vendors vendors” A double word.

As for RAM, I believe all Macs except the Mac Pro use the same PC2-5300 RAM.
#13

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

@Justin - Im from the UK any good supliers over here?

Glenn, this hacking the really scared you huh, there are duzons of apple mistakes, never! HAHA
#14

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

@Glenn - When will you announce who gave you the laptop. I’m sure everyone here wants to know and I’m sure everyone else, me included, is jealous!

Did you and the hacker exchange any emails? or even speak about what happened?

Cheers,
G
#15
Aaron Waters

Hey Glenn - Very interesting article, gave me some insight on what to do when I switch to a Mac. Glad you got your site back!

Cheers
#16

Austin Heller → austinheller.com

“I do write about things when Apple mess up, check the archives for dozens of examples.”

In your defense, though you have addressed minor product issues in a couple of your previous reviews, most aren’t too objective and there are hardly “dozens of examples”. In fact, the only posts I remember dedicated to criticizing Apple were the iPod touch disappointments, the limitations on data input, and this one right here- which doesn’t totally count, because the complaints you address on Apple’s RAM aren’t the focus of the article.

I would love to see counterexamples, but this was all I could glean from looking through the archives.
#17
Sean M

Mac Pro should be MacBook Pro…sorry for the confusion ;-)
#18

Dylan → dylanfm.com

I have a macbook pro with a 3gig limit. Would it be better to get a 2 gig stick or an identical 1gig?
#19

Loweded Wookie → web.mac.com/lowededwookie

@Grant

“LOL dissing apple now, im sure your tying your best to keep low with you apple fetish haha!”

Actually it’s not just Apple that do this. HP and IBM do the same but any off the shelf RAM will work. I know because I upgraded the RAM in my Mac Mini myself with 2Gb RAM. I get it at wholesale prices but it was actually labeled as Mac RAM although it’s just standard laptop RAM.
#20

Loren → www.r3fresh.com

thanks for clearing up the confusion Glenn.

Good to see you back up and running.
#21

Kory Twaites → krazykory.com

Glad you wrote this. I’m looking to just max out on ram when I get my MBP. Just didn’t know where to look, now I do… the 4gb for 199 is a great deal!
#22

Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com

I’m actually looking into purchasing 4GB of RAM for my Santa Rosa MBP. Great article. I was just wondering about purchasing from OWC/Mac Sales. They list a bunch of RAM for the Macbook Pro Santa Rosa ranging from $125 to $175. Is there are real difference between the two different prices, cause I’d love to save the $50…

Which one did you buy for your MacBook Pro?
#23

Omer Zach → mactips.org

Typo: “It can’t be proved to be any better than RAM from any third party vendor.” should say “proven”.
Typo: “RAM upgrades are one way Apple continually make money” should say “makes”.
I really liked the article, its very informative. I’m very happy with 2GB in my MacBook, its a huge jump over the 1GB I used to work with (and 512 MB before that).
#24
William B

Glad you’re back Glenn. Very nice post, very concise info.

As for the “fanboy” image, who cares?!?! Glenn is a fan of Apple and writes a Apple blog, so wouldn’t you expect to see a ton of “pro-Apple” stuff on here. Shit, it’s the little details that Apple thinks about that makes them so appealing, and I’m sure Glenn would agree. So what’s wrong with the word “fanboy?” As far as I can tell, that’s a compliment. I enjoy using Apple products, and will attest to their superiority over other competing products because they just plain work better for me better than the other stuff. From what I’ve seen, it’s all the non-Apple fans that are ones bitching all over the internet. Just chill out, damn! You can use whatever computer you want, and read whatever blogs you want. Don’t like Apple? That’s cool, and while I might disagree on your reasoning as you why you don’t like them, your free to do as you please. I’m not going get all pissy over your Windows/Linux blog.

-WiLLGT09
#25
Sean M

Hello Glenn and fellow fans!
This is my first post (disregard editing mistake earlier) and just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your blog and especially your video show on YouTube! Your informative talks have finalized my decision to buy a 2.6ghz 15″ MacBook Pro which should be here in a couple weeks. I just wanted to throw out there that I saw a great deal for ram on Macrumors, as Newegg.com has 2gb sticks for as low as 39.99. I personally picked up 2 2gb sticks of crucial memory for $120 on Newegg. I went with Crucial memory since i’ve used them in the past and have been a trusted company. As Glenn mentions, Macsales also have wonderful deals as well. Keep up the great work Glenn!
#26

Van Souza → www.usheroes.us

Great to have you back. It’s distressing that people still can not grasp the concept of a blog site being what ever the creator wants it to be. Your suggestion is correct and should be clearly understood; if you are not a fan of the company Apple: Look Elsewhere, and live in peace and grant us the same right.

As for the RAM in MBPs I think mine can only run on 3 gigs; it is a 2.16 unit. But RAM is so cheep I would use 4 if it works… my unit seems slow compared to my 2.8 iMac, which has 4gig arriving tomorrow from OWC.

PS… I am a huge fanboy.. huge.
#27

Ben Carroll → bencarroll.wordpress.com

Good article! I really enjoy this blog and I have started reading only a few days ago.
Another great vendor is crucial. I always by my ram for my macs or pc’s from them.
#28

Peety → peety-passion.com

First off, welcome back Glen. I am glad to see you back and operational.

Secondly, great article. I recently bought ram from Omni and I am one satisfied customer. I received my ram within 2 business days.
#29
Thomas

One thing to keep an eye out for is when Apple launch new models or use new kinds of ram. There was a period when the first 24″ iMacs (if I recall) came out when the ram from Apple was cheaper than other vendors. After a few weeks everyone dropped their prices and other vendors dropped below Apple. The point is that you should always check around and take into account how new a version is and if that is affecting the price.
#30

Kabren → www.kabrenlevinson.com

Good article. I bought some Apple RAM a while ago, and now regret that decision. It gave me kernel panics, and was a little too expensive for my liking. I’m going to buy some from OWC MacSales. Thanks for the suggestion.

About your site going down. I don’t think anyone’s website should be hacked like that. If someone disagrees with what you do and say, they should communicate that in a more engaging way, that inspires talk, not shuts it down. That being said, I don’t think the hacker’s point was about being a fan boy, but simply the amount of money invested in Apple “stuff” - because, from what I can tell, you have a huge budget for this stuff. I think it’s fair to say he was jealous of what you had.

Again, good article, and better luck in the future.
#31
JM

Installing RAM isn’t the problem for me. Pulling the trigger for BUYING RAM is! Since I got my new iMac 2 months ago, I have watched the price of 4GB of RAM drop nearly $100. I finally gave in though, and purchased some over the weekend! $125 is a pretty good deal, but it will be probably down to $100 by X-Mas.
#32
modex

Glenn,

The main reason why you are targeted as a fanboi, as well as hacked, is because you are smug about being a mac user.

For the most part, people don’t care if someone is a fanboi for any type of thing for which you can be a fanboi. It is the fanboi’s smugness, or hubris as used in the hacker’s message, that provokes such attacks.

Like the hacker said, tone down the smugness.

My 2c.
#33

Zach → www.zachkollegger.com

@modex: Oh, come on. That’s just B.S. If people like something, they should be allowed to talk about it however they want. That’s why people have blogs!

Nice post Glen, I was wondering about upgrading my ram.
#34
Steve

I have a 24″ iMac 2.16 ghz, on which 3gb is the max ram the motherboard can take. I’m wondering whether I should install paired dims (2gb) to take advantage of the 128Mb addressing, or alternatively max the ram with 3gb (2gb +1gb dims).

The performance chart reported by MacSales seemed to indicate that in most circumstances, more ram improved system performance, regardless of whether the chips were paired.

Thoughts…opinions…recommendations?
#35

Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com

Just bought 4GB of RAM from Macsales today. They asked where I heard of them from. I put “Glenn Wolsey”. :P
#36

Adam → freewebs.com/adamfishercox

Steve- Go for the 3 GB. The extra money you pay for 2 x 2 GB will be way too much for the tiny performance increase you will see.
#37

Dave Nofmeister → www.spiffylinks.com

RAM is difficult to install? Who ever thought of this?
#38

Samuel Cotterall → itssamuel.com/blog

Having quadrupled the stock C2D MacBook to 2GB using £60 third-party I’d certainly advise it.
#39
ESB

My 4gb ram for my new macbook arrived today :)
Interesting article. Thanks Glenn
#40

Tom → tff4.com

Glenn,

I’ve had nothing but great experiences with macramdirect.com and ramjet.com. If you go through MacRamDirect, you can even buy the same “Apple” Samsung OEM memory for cheaper than you could ever get it from Apple.com, though the true “savings” are still in 3rd-party RAM purchases…
#41
James

Is there a negative side to using third party ram? It’s so much cheaper. Are there any differences with performance? or is ram ram?
#42
Hector

Ok so I have a Macbook with 1 Gig of ram that is two 512 can i remove one and ad a 1 gig sick or even a 2 gig? please HELP!!!!
#43
Sam

My Mac Mini Core 2 Duo is running 2.5GB of ram and I know it can take up to 4GB under leopard. All I needed to buy was a one 2GB chip to install it along side apple 512MB stock ram. Bingo!
#44
Brian

James, long story short…RAM is RAM, providing the specs are the same.

Hector, yes, you can add a 1gb stick to have 1.5gb of ram, as long as the specs are the same. You can add 2 1gb on the older MacBook and 2 2gb on the newer MacBook.

SO-DIMMs of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

Can people stay on topic and check their opinions at the door? No one wants to read through that shit to find an answer.
#45
trent

Great post! Very professional and well-detailed. You are becoming quite the blogging heavyweight. Keep it up!
#46
Nathan

@Austin Heller

You know apple isn’t the only company to stuff up here and there, I’m sure everyone could name a few thousand stuff ups on Microsoft’s behalf

You can’t get everything right nor can you please everyone. Just like glenn trying to please you so you have a couple of options 1. Live with it 2. spend your time reading someone else’s blog
#47
RB

Glenn,
I am enjoying your info. I am looking at going MBP and do away with my desktop. I have never been without a desktop in 25 years. Please keep us updated on your go with the MBP and no desktop.
Thanks!
#48
JM

A follow-up to an earlier post of mine. OWC (Macsales.com) rocks! I purchased 4GB of RAM online Saturday for my 24″ AL iMac, paid for 2nd business day shipping and it was on my doorstep today (should have been tomorrow). I am not complaining!

It was a piece of cake replacing the RAM and all is good with the world.

Keep up the great blog, Glenn. No reason to tone down anything. You are, like everyone else, entitled to your opinion.
#49

Greg → macgecko.blogspot.com

If you don’t buy RAM from Apple just remember when you call in for support to quote the amount of RAM you had when you bought the computer and if you take the computer in for repair remove the memory you added.
#50
bruno

> will extra RAM make my machine ‘quicker or snappier?’ The answer in short is yes.

This is false. Additional RAM will not increase the “speed” of your CPU. It will merely defer the time, if any, when the system may exhaust RAM and need to rely on slower Virtual Memory.
#51
WB

Good points here. I started pricing out RAM from a variety of vendors and was shocked at the level of mark-up on Apple’s part. Do yourself a favor and install it yourself.
#52

Kamic → www.tervoo.com

still cant jusify dropping that much on a mac, maybe once i have some extra cash to throw around.
#53
GG

Glenn,
As I am new to the Mac world, how does adding memory from a third party vendor affect the warranty or AppleCare?
#54
bugnacious

“To take advantage of the Mac Pro’s 256 bit memory data path, you’ll want to populate both memory riser cards, each with at least one matched pair.”

I have reccently added 2 1GB sticks of Corsair FBDIMM to My Mac Pro but put them on the same riser - I found that the existing RAM was installed on the same riser (2×512) from apple. Did they get it wrong????

Also…. apple RAM installed in my MACPRO has heat sinks of something? is that why it cost so much?
#55

Grant → www.grantmc.co.uk

Front page of Digg, again! Well done mate!

Maybe a few more posts on writing good content?
#56
Arthur Dent

Correction - The current Mac minis with the Core 2 Duo chips can address 3.0GB (not 2GB as listed above).

The motherboard supports 4GB of RAM and will see a small speed bump with 4GB of matched RAM vs 3GB of mismatched RAM - even though the OS will only see 3GB of the 4GB of RAM.

Here is a link to testing of minis with various amounts of RAM http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac_and_Mac_mini_memory_performance_testing/#4gbnote
#57

Chad Ohman → www.chadohman.com

Remember that in an iBook G3 and a PowerBook G3 (Pismo), the maximum ram you can install on that one free slot is 512MB.
#58

Chad Ohman → www.chadohman.com

Excellent article, though! :D Enjoyed reading it. :)
#59

Van Souza → www.usheroes.us

WOOT!! Just installed 4 gigs in my 2.8 ALiMac… Safari seems snapper … kidding… boot up took a while.. long enough to stop my heart… but running great now.

Do I need to keep my Apple ram in case of service or can I claim the OWC rebate on Apple ram? Thanks…
#60
warragul

>keep your eyes pealed
ROTFL!
#61

Cich → www.markcichy.com/blog

MemoryToGo (http://www.memorytogo.com): reputable, affordable, sells Samsung Apple certified RAM — cheap. Just bought 32GB for my Octo Mac Pro.

M
#62
Ryan

Great post! Does anyone know if the new macbooks (santa rosa chipset)will benefit from 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM instead of the 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM? The santa rosa chipset supports faster RAM than Apple uses.
#63

Callum Jones → youngcoders.com

Cheers for the tips, been going over for a while whether I need more RAM for my Macbook. Looks like VM has taken its toll. Cheers for the advice!

We need some more Mac gurus so feel free to signup to our forum at http://youngcoders.com!
#64
heath

mac pro’s can only go up to 16 gb according to apple’s tech specs. not that i, nor most, would go beyond 4 gigs. like the blog says, i probably would not notice it for every day use. nice article.
#65

Loweded Wookie → web.mac.com/lowededwookie

Hey guys and girls.

After posting here that replacing the RAM in a Mac Mini is quite a simple task I had a couple of people e-mail me asking for instructions on how to do it.

So I made the video and uploaded it to YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIbPzqZdpZI

I guess it’s the visual aspect to Glenn’s awesome write up on RAM.

Note, you’ll need a fine putty knife (0.2mm is what I used), a medium Philips head screwdriver, a small Philips head screwdriver, a pair of needle nosed pliers, and some form of anti-static protection, preferably an anti-stat mat or anti-stat wrist strap.

And yes it is less than 10 minutes long. :-)

Enjoy. Oh, and technically this will void your warranty but if you take the proper precautions you won’t destroy your Mac.

Oh, and just in case you are worried about taking this sort of advice from an Internet stranger I’ll tell you that I am a computer engineer (mainly working for the Dark Side) and I do this sort of stuff daily.
#66

Chris → www.clickrate.de

Some answeres to recent posts and current pricing in Germany

1) “GG November 20th, 2007 at 12:50 pm Glenn,
As I am new to the Mac world, how does adding memory from a third party vendor affect the warranty or AppleCare?”

The best thing to do is KEEP the original RAM that came with your Mac. You won’t see any real cash for selling them anyways. If you need to service your Mac (AppleCare or otherwise), just replace the original Apple RAM. It might even solve the problems you’re having, but it will definitely stop Apple from blaming the third party RAM.

2) “Ryan November 20th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Great post! Does anyone know if the new macbooks (santa rosa chipset)will benefit from 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM instead of the 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM? The santa rosa chipset supports faster RAM than Apple uses.”

DON’T BOTHER! The ONLY reason to buy 800 vs. 667MHz is if you want to use the RAM in some future machine. But then, you’ll get more for your used MB if it has maximum RAM and you can’t know today what RAM the next machine will need. It might not be 800MHz!

Pricing in Germany:

I get the noname but 100% Apple compatible 30 year warranty 2048 MB DDR2 667MHz SODIMM 200 Pin RAM for 37,10 Euro excl. V.A.T. and shipping (~ 54,38 USD or 26,55 BPS) from my distributor. The prices have fallen steadily from 70,- Euro over the last 6 weeks. The 800MHz 2GB currently cost 42,- Euro.

Should anybody want to know how much profit their current dealer is making just drop me an email sf_at_clickrate_dot_de

Cheers and good luck hunting RAM. This is the time to feed your Mac some goodies!
#67
Ryan

Just bought some Crucial RAM, 2 gigs. And I ordered Leopard (finally). I should get it tomorrow.
#68
Brian L.

Wow, symantics. “will it make my machine faster” Bruno says “no, Additional RAM will not increase the “speed�? of your CPU”. Your machine is more than your CPU it is the sum of all the parts. When I am working in Photoshop, MAYA and Illustrator and I go from 2 gigs to 4, it certainly will make my “machine” go faster.

Glenn, you rock. I just found this site and the only problem I have with it is how to stop reading it.

I thank you for your time and effort.

OWC has great guides for helping you pick your ram and really good shipping,

NewEgg as well.

Changing ram is like almost anything, once you see it, it is so easy. Do not be afraid to try it.

Mac’s own website has user manuals in the support that walk you through it with pictures.
#69
Brian L.

FOLLOW UP:

OWC also has a great resource page for How TO when it comes to servicing your computer.

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm
#70
Alan

Just sdded 3GB from OWC to my 13″ black MacBook. All 3GB were recognized and it runs great, a big improvement for my workflow.
#71
Scooby Carolan (Ex-Mac Genius)

Just a quick tidbit that should be added Glenn. If you install RAM and your Mac starts to exhibit bad behavior like Kernel Panics, crashing apps, etc. Take it out and return it. Any reputable dealer will take it back and replace it.

RAM also dies! Yes, any circuit in a state of constant use exhibits “wear”. The flow of electricity causes damage, and after some time RAM can go bad. Plan on keeping you Mac for 4 years? If it gets that old and starts acting wonky, ditch the RAM and see what happens. I’ve seen it before, you may actually get your machine stable again!

All-n-all, good article for beginners.
#72
Shaun S

Very good article, your a spot on writer.
#73
Nathan

@Scooby

when you say ditch the ram you do mean the 3rd party ram right?

Because without ram your computer/mac wouldn’t run
#74
John

I recently upgraded my computer setup to a 2.6gh quad-core mac pro. I had a g4 powerbook before so I am excited about having the ability to expand now. I ordered it with the standard 1gig from apple (2 512mb sticks) and I plan on installing another 4 gigs.
I have been reading about the 256-bit architecture and I am still a bit confused on how to take advantage of it. If I understand correctly you have to fill 4 of the DIMM slots with memory of the same size. So if I purchased 4 1gig sticks, put them all in one memory riser and left the 2 apple 512 sticks in place would this take advantage of the 256-bit architecture? Or would I be better off just buying 2 2gig sticks and installing them in the second memory riser? Also, will I need to remove the 2 512 sticks to take advantage of the 256-bit architecture?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
#75
Raj

I just installed 4 GB RAM on my MacBook. Mine is 2.16 Ghz, so even though the system recognized 4 GB, it can only address 3.2 some odd GB. Since its 2 x 2GB stick it can do dual channel. Even though the difference is negligible, I thought I’ll upgrade to 4 GB.
Glen, I read your article, its interesting. Now I feel I made the right decision on upgrading the RAM. OWC is great, their customer service, order processing support and shipping was outstanding.
#76
Blair Beckwith

John, I believe you will be able to leave the 2x 512 sticks in.
#77
John

i’m still a bit confused. if i leave my 2 512MB sticks in place should i buy 2 2GB sticks or 4 1GB sticks to take advantage of the 256-bit architecture?
thanks.
#78
Blair Beckwith

I believe you would need 4 1 GB sticks, as the slots need to be filled with same-sized sticks.
#79

Michael → www.tremorx.com

Worth mentioning, the C2D, non-Santa Rosa MacBook Pros only support addressing of 3GB, so you’re better off getting a 1×1GB + 1×2GB pair. It’s cheaper!
#80
John

so i need 4 1gb sticks on one riser and i can leave the 2 512mb sticks on the other riser and this will be the way to go? is that correct or is there a wiser solution for me?
#81
Umair Ata

‘RAM does make a DIFFERENT to overall system performance’. Shouldnt it be DIFFERENCE Glenn. Just noticed this in ur post and thought I’d let you know.
#82
Great Dane

Michael said on
November 30th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
“Worth mentioning, the C2D, non-Santa Rosa MacBook Pros only support addressing of 3GB, so you’re better off getting a 1×1GB + 1×2GB pair. It’s cheaper!”

I bought 4GB of RAM for mine at the below URL for $79.99 with free shipping. The additional cost over 3GB is negligible.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231135

Here’s info about maxing out the RAM in the May 2007 MacBooks:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Memory_Benchmark/Apple_MacBook/
#83

Minca news reporter → chasinggoogle.blogspot.com

Thanks for the guide.