RAM upgrade question

[Brianmp007]

So I know theres probably a million topics dealing with this subject but I had a quick question about upgrading the RAM on my mid 2007 macbook.

I have the black 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo macbook and was wondering if it would be a better choice to buy single 1gb stick and a single 2gb stick of ram or to buy the 2x2 GB sticks for the 4 GB.

I know that this macbook can only support 3.3 GB and was curious about the pros and cons of these two options.

I was also hoping someone could recommend a good site to buy RAM from

thanks in advance
brian

[NewMacbookPlz]

Yes...there have been ~1.543 million threads on MacBook RAM upgrades...we do have a search button at the top for assistance ;)

Pros to 2x2GB: Fully utilize 3.3GB available memory. Purchasing in pairs can be cheaper than buying two single DIMMS at times. Dual-channel support.

Pros to 1x1GB, 1x2GB: None that I can think of other than saving a couple bucks.

[greatmaju]

I thought that in macbooks, you had to have RAM in pairs. to 2X1GB or 2X2GB RAM. Could just be for different versions of macbook.

I have a quick Q whilst we are on the topic:
I have an early 2008 (polycarbonate) macbook, with 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
Do I have to buy the same type (so 2X2 GB 667Mhz DDR2 SDRAM?)
And, I did look and came across ValueRAM. do you have to buy the same make of RAM? (Company I suppose as well) or would any that is listed in Google Shopping do?

I realise, that might be a bit confusing.

[Brianmp007]

So if I went with the 2x2GB would this suffice?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820349025

[NewMacbookPlz]

So if I went with the 2x2GB would this suffice?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820349025

That should work fine. You may want to see what Crucial offers, even via Newegg pricewise. Crucial tends to be a trusted brand, I use them all the time for PCs.

As for the post before yours, no you don't need matching pairs in the MacBook. The only benefit of them is dual-channel memory is only available when the DIMMs are matching. The benefit of this is pretty minor, and if you need the extra memory of non-matching, having more memory is a bigger performance boost than dual-channel matching.

[mcmanus7]

Personally i went with Mushkin perfect match ram for my macbook 2.16.... did the 2 x 2GB and wow upgrading from 1 gb of ram to the utilized 3.3 GB is a huge change....

I know a lot of people who run the mushkin perfect match in macbooks/imacs and i've never heard of a problem...

I believe newegg sells the 4gb kit for 66.99

[greatmaju]

Well, I need more RAM to photoshop, as 2GB isn't cutting it. Would 3 GB suffice, and save me money, or get 2X2GB, therefor 4GB RAM?

EDIT:
something like this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-VS2GSDS667D2-667MHz-SODIMM-Laptop/dp/tech-data/B000Q76LBY/ref=de_a_smtd

[mcmanus7]

I don't think you'd notice a difference between 3GB and 3.3GB.... but for ram I almost always go with the MAXIMUM... maybe someday apple will figure out a way to address the other .7GB or ram...

[NewMacbookPlz]

I don't think you'd notice a difference between 3GB and 3.3GB.... but for ram I almost always go with the MAXIMUM... maybe someday apple will figure out a way to address the other .7GB or ram...

I think the 3.3GB limit is a hardware limitation with the memory controller...not positive though.

[greatmaju]

Hmm, but I should go with this?

(The amazon one went up in price!)

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=47CEDB0DA5CA7304

as you said to go with crucial.