RAM upgrade question on 2.33GHz MacBook Pro

I'd just max it out at 3gb. Going for 2gb in both slots could stop one slot from working so effectively you'd only have 2gb. I don't think the increased speed you get when installing pairs is better than just going for more RAM anyway...

Going from 2>3 GB doesnt give a substantial improvement in performance, and can actually hamper it due to the loss of dual-channel. 3GB just gives you a bit more headroom for memory intensive apps like VMware, etc.

*used to own a 2.33 GHz MBP upgraded to 3 GB Transcend RAM*

I would recommend you go for two identical sticks of 2GB. The loss of DDR functionality is a big performance loss in my opinion no matter what you do with your laptop.

Animalk said:

I would recommend you go for two identical sticks of 2GB. The loss of DDR functionality is a big performance loss in my opinion no matter what you do with your laptop.

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I think you lose DDR if you do this. His MBP won't recognize the full 4GB's, this will give him an uneven pair.

Someone correct me if im wrong...

The 2.33GHz MBP will recognize 4GB and it will utilize the matching pair and perform at 3.3GB

Actually, it's not as clear cut as recognising 3.3GB RAM. It's gonna recognise something around that region, but not necessarily 3.3GB

raymondu999 said:

Actually, it's not as clear cut as recognising 3.3GB RAM. It's gonna recognise something around that region, but not necessarily 3.3GB

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8-11% increase in RAM performance on 4GB is the technical information. Its easier in layman's terms to say 3.3GB.

1GB+2GB < 2GB+2GB even before Santa Rosa

So what did you do in the end, I have the same problem, everyone tells me a different story. I want to run VMFusion, and I'm not sure if I should get a 2gb+1gb or do the 4gb. Curious to know what you ended up doing

I'd very much like to know what you ended up doing as well.

I know that I have seen speed/time tests for a 2.33ghz MBP with stock 2gb ram vs. 3gb vs. 4gb. They found that the 3gb was better than the 2gb in most areas, and that the 4gb was worse than the 3gb, but generally faster than the 2gb. Unfortunately, I cannot find this again since I had researched this some time ago when I decided to upgrade to 3gb of ram. Although I personally have not tested with 4gb, I am really pleased with how my MBP runs on 3gb compared to 2gb. First thing I noticed was how much faster Photoshop opened, and how much smoother it runs, not to mention, Photoshop really requires about 4gb of ram to really get the most out of it, so getting closer to that number really helped. It seems to me that most people have decided to go to 3gb since that is what the chipset can handle. Going to 4gb would be like jet fuel in your car. If it isn't made to handle it, it isn't going to work as well as regular unleaded fuel (maybe not the best analogy, I know, but I think you get my point).