OWC RAM Quality? [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

touchdownjesus4

May 11, 2009, 10:12 PM

noodle654

May 11, 2009, 10:14 PM

I am looking at upgrading my memory capacity in my Macbook from 2 GB to 4 GB. I am looking at an upgrade pack from OWC and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with OWC and had any comments on their reliability and quality of products. Thanks

OWC is an incredible company. Excellent RAM and price! Most people here buy from OWC or Crucial. Very high quality RAM.

dsnort

May 11, 2009, 10:22 PM

Have used OWC Ram several times, I'm fixing to use it to upgrade my UMBP. Great stuff.

rgarjr

May 11, 2009, 10:46 PM

There's just tons of threads on this subject. But yeah, OWC sells good ram. I'm using some on this MB right now.

mmulin

May 11, 2009, 11:01 PM

Just make sure your are buying the OWC certified RAM. They occasionally also have very low price no-name RAM. I would stay away from those. Usually, you can identify the OWC RAM having the OWC logo in the product list. If available, I still stick to the original Samsung, they offer as well. Though it comes with a slight premium.

bozz2006

May 11, 2009, 11:17 PM

I have nothing but positive things to say about OWC and the RAM they sell.

Ttownbeast

May 11, 2009, 11:21 PM

I love OWC I have gone through them for every part I ever needed to keep my G4 running I bought this 1999 sawtooth model I use for 60 bucks at a junk PC recycler and about 600 bucks later its as good or better than a lot of new systems out there. I highly recommend the ram and upgrade processors from them.

xraydoc

May 11, 2009, 11:28 PM

I have 4GB of OWC's RAM in my unibody MacBook and 4GB from OWC in my wife's Santa Rosa MacBook as well (and 7GB of OWC RAM is also in my Mac Pro).

touchdownjesus4

May 12, 2009, 08:53 AM

Ok thank you for the replies by everyone, I am now confident that the OWC RAM i purchased will do its job. I have a unibody macbook, is the installation of new RAM easy?

Buskape

May 12, 2009, 10:55 AM

Ok thank you for the replies by everyone, I am now confident that the OWC RAM i purchased will do its job. I have a unibody macbook, is the installation of new RAM easy?

Very easy, just follow this official Apple guide, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651

alphaod

May 12, 2009, 01:47 PM

Ok thank you for the replies by everyone, I am now confident that the OWC RAM i purchased will do its job. I have a unibody macbook, is the installation of new RAM easy?

Very easy. :D

touchdownjesus4

May 12, 2009, 02:36 PM

Very easy, just follow this official Apple guide, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651

Thanks for the link, sounds simple enough, i just don't want to be messing with my computers internal components not knowing what I am doing. Because most likely I will break something.

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 05:12 PM

I am looking at upgrading my memory capacity in my Macbook from 2 GB to 4 GB. I am looking at an upgrade pack from OWC and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with OWC and had any comments on their reliability and quality of products. Thanks

Have a look at my thread on OWC RAM problems before you buy, here- http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=692678 and another thread here - http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=696093 , I have just got RAM from Crucial and I have had no issues with their RAM. Also OWC's customer service is very bad when you try to return bad sticks of RAM so be warned.

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:03 PM

Have a look at my thread on OWC RAM problems before you buy, here- http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=692678 and another thread here - http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=696093 , I have just got RAM from Crucial and I have had no issues with their RAM. Also OWC's customer service is very bad when you try to return bad sticks of RAM so be warned.

Thanks for the heads up, because I have already ordered my RAM and it is on its way I cannot order a different brand of RAM but the threads that you gave me suggest ways to fix problems with RAM upgrades so thank you. I will see what happens when it arrives and I install it.

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:08 PM

Thanks for the heads up, because I have already ordered my RAM and it is on its way I cannot order a different brand of RAM but the threads that you gave me suggest ways to fix problems with RAM upgrades so thank you. I will see what happens when it arrives and I install it.

That's too bad you already ordered, but all of those suggestions on how to fix the issues with the RAM didn't work for me. Hopefully you get a pair of good sticks from OWC, keep us updated with any issues that arise. BTW are you installing the RAM yourself?

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:10 PM

That's too bad you already ordered, but all of those suggestions on how to fix the issues with the RAM didn't work for me. Hopefully you get a pair of good sticks from OWC, keep us updated with any issues that arise. BTW are you installing the RAM yourself?

Yes, I am going to try to install the RAM myself, I was going to use this guide http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651 that someone else on this thread recommended. It seemed pretty thorough when I looked through it so hopefully I won't have any problems. Did you install it yourself? If you did was it simple enough or difficult?

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:16 PM

Yes, I am going to try to install the RAM myself, I was going to use this guide http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651 that someone else on this thread recommended. It seemed pretty thorough when I looked through it so hopefully I won't have any problems. Did you install it yourself? If you did was it simple enough or difficult?

Did it myself and it was very easy, just followed the video from OWC. Just make sure you discharge the power from the MacBook by taking out the battery and holding the power button down for a few seconds, you don't to damage yourself or the precious MacBook!! And when you put the new RAM in don't be afraid to put some pressure on the sticks to make sure that they are all the way in. Then when you start the computer again just make sure that OS X recognizes the new hardware in the system profiler.

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:18 PM

Did it myself and it was very easy, just followed the video from OWC. Just make sure you discharge the power from the MacBook by taking out the battery and holding the power button down for a few seconds, you don't to damage yourself or the precious MacBook!! And when you put the new RAM in don't be afraid to put some pressure on the sticks to make sure that they are all the way in. Then when you start the computer again just make sure that OS X recognizes the new hardware in the system profiler.

Ok good, and do you by chance have the link to the OWC video?

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:21 PM

Ok good, and do you by chance have the link to the OWC video?

Yep - http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_unibody/

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:23 PM

Yep - http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_unibody/

Awesome, thanks. I will comment on any problems I have after it gets here and I get a chance to install it. I'm expecting for it to come tomorrow but if it does I won't be able to install it until Friday. I really hope I avoid any problems. So you had a problem with the macbook not waking up from sleep when you installed the new RAM?

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:27 PM

Oh geez, I just looked at the screws that I will need to take out and they are small! I hope i can find a screwdriver small enough to get them out.

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:29 PM

Awesome, thanks. I will comment on any problems I have after it gets here and I get a chance to install it. I'm expecting for it to come tomorrow but if it does I won't be able to install it until Friday. I really hope I avoid any problems. So you had a problem with the macbook not waking up from sleep when you installed the new RAM?

Yeah it was really annoying because it wasn't a constant issue, only happened when I wasn't expecting it. I tried everything but couldn't fix it and I mean EVERYTHING and when I tried to return it OWC said fine but I would have to pay for postage and because they are based in the U.S. and I'm in Ireland I would get charged customs again on the replacement RAM! So I said sod it and bought some new RAM from Crucial which the guy in the Apple store said to buy over Apple branded RAM and I have yet to see any problems! Now all I need is my new harddrive and I'll be happy! - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148374

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:30 PM

Oh geez, I just looked at the screws that I will need to take out and they are small! I hope i can find a screwdriver small enough to get them out.

You can buy a toolkit with screwdrivers for those screws from OWC.

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:32 PM

You can buy a toolkit with screwdrivers for those screws from OWC.

Yeah, I saw that in the video, I would rather not wait for something else to ship for me. I remember having a small screwdriver somewhere so I will try that one.

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:34 PM

Yeah, I saw that in the video, I would rather not wait for something else to ship for me. I remember having a small screwdriver somewhere so I will try that one.

JUst make sure you don't loose any of those tiny screws!

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 06:44 PM

Alright well the smallest screwdriver I have is just a little big for the screws but i found a set for 6$ at a hardware store near me that will do the job. So I'll get that probably over the weekend. I won't be able to comment on if your problem occurred or not until probably Sunday.

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 06:48 PM

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 07:23 PM

Hopefully I'll have no trouble with the RAM, maybe the 10.5.7 update fixed the problem. Do you know anything about what the update did?

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 07:25 PM

Hopefully I'll have no trouble with the RAM, maybe the 10.5.7 update fixed the problem. Do you know anything about what the update did?

It was just some security updates, but it did fix DFU mode on the newer MacBooks!!!:D

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 07:32 PM

It was just some security updates, but it did fix DFU mode on the newer MacBooks!!!:D

So are you still having problems with the sleep mode or did the update fix the problem?

DPB17

May 13, 2009, 07:35 PM

So are you still having problems with the sleep mode or did the update fix the problem?

Nope no luck.

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 07:39 PM

Nope no luck.

So have you gone to your old RAM setup or have you just dealt with the new one until you can find a solution?

BlackMax

May 13, 2009, 08:41 PM

OWC is an incredible company. Excellent RAM and price! Most people here buy from OWC or Crucial. Very high quality RAM.

+1

I purchase all my RAM from OWC and it has always been flawless.

iJimmy

May 13, 2009, 09:39 PM

I was wondering what everyones memory usage equates to.

I bought OWC ram and after adding my free and used memory it only equals to about 3.7GB. Is that normal?

old-wiz

May 13, 2009, 10:13 PM

No matter who you buy RAM from, you can still get dead RAM. It's important to deal with a dealer who will replace defective RAM. So much RAM goes through that it's inevitable that some of it will fail and need to be replaced, so be sure you deal with a reputable company and ask if they will replace if it doesn't work.

touchdownjesus4

May 13, 2009, 10:21 PM

Ttownbeast

May 13, 2009, 10:26 PM

The OWC catalog I get every time an order comes to me is the next best thing to free porn, My musicians friend catalog comes in third on the list LOL

xraydoc

May 13, 2009, 11:28 PM

Have a look at my thread on OWC RAM problems before you buy, here- http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=692678 and another thread here - http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=696093 , I have just got RAM from Crucial and I have had no issues with their RAM. Also OWC's customer service is very bad when you try to return bad sticks of RAM so be warned.

I had a stick go bad back in the G4 days. They replaced it without hesitation.
Once they sent me the wrong capacity RAM a few years ago back in the G5 days. One email is all it took to get things straightened out.

Sorry for anyone who's had a bad experience, but I've never had an issue in many, many years.

Even bought from them a 1.7GHz G4 processor for a G4 Cube I was rebuilding last year. Everything was great.

touchdownjesus4

May 14, 2009, 05:49 PM

I had a stick go bad back in the G4 days. They replaced it without hesitation.
Once they sent me the wrong capacity RAM a few years ago back in the G5 days. One email is all it took to get things straightened out.

Sorry for anyone who's had a bad experience, but I've never had an issue in many, many years.

Even bought from them a 1.7GHz G4 processor for a G4 Cube I was rebuilding last year. Everything was great.

Most people have this same experience with OWC from what I have heard. I hope I do too if I ever have a problem with one of their products.

DPB17

May 15, 2009, 11:41 AM

touchdownjesus4

May 15, 2009, 04:15 PM

Just got my Crucial RAM to replace my crappy OWC RAM. It only took 23 hours from ordering to delivery and it had to come from Germany to Ireland. NO problems at all when compared to my OWC sticks.:D:D:D:D

My OWC sticks are here but i still have to get the screwdriver to open my macbook. I will comment if it works later

Sareth

May 15, 2009, 04:24 PM

Just got my Crucial RAM to replace my crappy OWC RAM. It only took 23 hours from ordering to delivery and it had to come from Germany to Ireland. NO problems at all when compared to my OWC sticks.:D:D:D:D

Strange they came from Germany and not the UK as they clearly have stock here, may be a euro thing.
Mine came next day, sequential serial numbers, no problems so far.

touchdownjesus4

May 16, 2009, 09:22 AM

Just got my Crucial RAM to replace my crappy OWC RAM. It only took 23 hours from ordering to delivery and it had to come from Germany to Ireland. NO problems at all when compared to my OWC sticks.:D:D:D:D

I installed the OWC sticks that I ordered and I have put my computer to sleep and woken it up several times without problems. I hope it remains this way. Installation was very easy and only took about ten minutes.

ksawyer

May 17, 2009, 05:37 AM

Very happy with OWC will definitely use them again. I found a MacBook repair manual that may be very helpful but can't upload it. I'll be happy to email it to you. We also found some instructions on Youtube that were very helpful in updating hardware on our system.

good luck!

Kim sawyer
MacBook Ver. 10.5.5
2 GHz Intel Core Duo
2 GB Ram

VSMacOne

May 17, 2009, 08:25 AM

xraydoc

May 17, 2009, 08:32 AM

I went with OWC and so far no problems. I've had the new RAM in for a few weeks now. At first, it would take a good 20 seconds longer for the MB to go to sleep after I put the new memory in, but after installing the 10.5.7 update, that issue seems to have ben resolved.

The increased time is because the more memory you have, the longer it takes to write the hibernation image to the hard drive. This is normal behavior.

There's a little control panel called Smart Sleep (http://www.jinx.de/SmartSleep.html) that will alter this behavior based on battery charge - sleep without hibernation safety image if there's greater than X% charge (I have mine set to 25%) and sleep with hibernation image if below. Or you can turn off sleep altogether and have the machine hibernate each time - saves battery, especially if the machine wont be used for a long period of time.

VSMacOne

May 17, 2009, 11:10 AM

The increased time is because the more memory you have, the longer it takes to write the hibernation image to the hard drive. This is normal behavior.

There's a little control panel called Smart Sleep (http://www.jinx.de/SmartSleep.html) that will alter this behavior based on battery charge - sleep without hibernation safety image if there's greater than X% charge (I have mine set to 25%) and sleep with hibernation image if below. Or you can turn off sleep altogether and have the machine hibernate each time - saves battery, especially if the machine wont be used for a long period of time.

That makes sense... However, like I said above, the time decreased again after 10.5.7. So it makes me think there was more to it than just the image, otherwise the sleep time wouldn't have changed.

xraydoc

May 17, 2009, 11:15 AM

That makes sense... However, like I said above, the time decreased again after 10.5.7. So it makes me think there was more to it than just the image, otherwise the sleep time wouldn't have changed.
...Unless Apple changed the memory-image save algorithm for 10.5.7 (just nitpicking).

DPB17

May 17, 2009, 07:40 PM

I installed the OWC sticks that I ordered and I have put my computer to sleep and woken it up several times without problems. I hope it remains this way. Installation was very easy and only took about ten minutes.

Good to hear!!:D

touchdownjesus4

May 17, 2009, 08:13 PM

Good to hear!!:D

Yeah i have had no problems so far, I do have one question though. I am running iStat menus and so i have been periodically looking at my RAM usage for certain programs. The first thing i noticed is that the amount of wired RAM usage has doubled since i upgraded the RAM and other programs like firefox's RAM usage has increased. Why does this happen? Does it just take more space so it can run faster because more space is available? And does the added RAM usage make the computer run faster?

DPB17

May 18, 2009, 07:56 AM

Yeah i have had no problems so far, I do have one question though. I am running iStat menus and so i have been periodically looking at my RAM usage for certain programs. The first thing i noticed is that the amount of wired RAM usage has doubled since i upgraded the RAM and other programs like firefox's RAM usage has increased. Why does this happen? Does it just take more space so it can run faster because more space is available? And does the added RAM usage make the computer run faster?

Mozilla sees that there is more available memory and therefore uses as much as it can get. "And does the added RAM usage make the computer run faster?" You kind of answered that question by asking it! If you are asking that then there has been no noticeable increase in speed. If you want more speed get an SSD or the new SeaGate 7200.4 drive. The RAm will help with having multiple programs open and if you use windows through a virtualization program.

touchdownjesus4

May 18, 2009, 08:49 AM

Mozilla sees that there is more available memory and therefore uses as much as it can get. "And does the added RAM usage make the computer run faster?" You kind of answered that question by asking it! If you are asking that then there has been no noticeable increase in speed. If you want more speed get an SSD or the new SeaGate 7200.4 drive. The RAm will help with having multiple programs open and if you use windows through a virtualization program.

There hasn't been a really noticeable increase in speed so that is why I asked.