2.0 mac book. With ram, would I be better off...

[mike2q]

I just bought a new 2.0 Macbook with the default config (512mb ram). I want to upgrade to 1GB Ram. Would I be better off buying two matching 512 sticks or buying one stick of 1GB making my total ram 1.25GB.

Option 2 gives me more memory but option 1 gives me a matched set.

Which is more important?

Thank!

-Michael

[Phatpat]

I'd also like to know this, as 2 512 sticks cost a little more than 1 1gb stick, and limit future upgrade potential.

[netdog]

Just get 2x1MB sticks and you are set for the life of the laptop.

[NJuul]

Just get 2x1MB sticks

Might not get you very far... ;)

[vv-tim]

Might not get you very far... ;)

Bill Gates: "640k ought to be enough for anyone."

[WildCowboy]

1.25 GB unmatched will almost certainly give you better performance than 1 GB matched.

And you're then in a better position for future upgrades as well.

[yellow]

IMO, plan for the future. Get the most RAM you can afford with the least amount of sticks of RAM. Basically because, what will you do with it when you pull it out to replace it with ahigher amount later? It'll sit in a drawer and collect dust.

[Phatpat]

I asked this question at the Apple Store today, and the answer I got (from a relatively intelligent employee) was that 2x512mb will give you significantly better performance that 256 + 1024, because they are matched pairs. Now I'm thinking I'll just go with 2gb from the start...

[WildCowboy]

I asked this question at the Apple Store today, and the answer I got (from a relatively intelligent employee) was that 2x512mb will give you significantly better performance that 256 + 1024, because they are matched pairs.

I don't buy that. Barefeats tested this using matched and unmatched pairs of RAM of the same size (I don't remember what it was). Performance for the matched pair setup was 6% better than that of the unmatched pair setup. I'll bet you an extra 256 MB of RAM buys you more than 6% if you're doing RAM intensive stuff.

[gog]

No-brainer. 1g. Max it up.

[shadowmoses]

Just put a 1gb stick in there for the time being and if you need add another later so you have 2gb's...I don't buy the matched 512mb plus 512mb being better than 1.25gb,

ShadoW

[Pancake]

From what I've heard you want matching sticks with the integrated graphics. It boosts the graphics performance. I don't think it matters with other stuff.

[mike2q]

I've heard that too. Why would intigrated graphics require a matched pair though? What will the performance difference be if I just leave one stick in and remove the 256 stick? I just cant see that making it "better".

please advise.

I really cant justify paying for two sticks of 1gb right now so its either 1 stick of 1gb or 2 512 hence the post. If I could afford 2 sticks of 2gb I wouldnt worry about it. ;)

[jsw]

See here (http://guides.macrumors.com/Matched_RAM_on_Intel_Macs).

More RAM is almost always better than less RAM, matched or not. 1.25 GB will trump 1 GB unless you always use less than that. And, with integrated graphics, you'll wish you had more than 1GB. I know. I have a mini duo w/1GB, and I wish it had 1.25. Well, I wish it had 2 - but 1.25 would be better than 1.0.

[Spanky Deluxe]

jsw has spoken.

The problem is that you're on the website where you're buying your ram from with the intention of buying 1GB stick and you end up buying 2 sticks of the stuff. Its a dangerous game.