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1066mhz RAM in the new 2011 Macbook pro

K

kgallag1

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 20, 2009
65
0
Dorval, Quebec
Hi, all

Anyone know if there would be a problem putting 8 gigs of 1066mhz RAM in the new macbook pro (refreshed this year)?

I've already bought 8 gigs, have it running in my current macbook pro, but want to upgrade to the newest model. I figured if I could use the 1066mhz memory, I'd save myself a bit of money

Thanks!
 
It should work fine but at 1066MHz. It is not something that you would notice though so getting the extra RAM is more important that the speed.
 
8gb of 1333mhz memory

you can buy another 8gb of 1333mhz of memory for $100-120.... you aren't saving much...
 
You could just buy an 8g 1333 kit from Newegg for 83 dollars... I'm all about saving money, but not in this case.
 
Hellhammer said:
It should work fine but at 1066MHz. It is not something that you would notice though so getting the extra RAM is more important that the speed.
Click to expand...

this is bad info.

it's not compatible with 1066MHz RAM. on the new 2011 MBPs, you must use 1333MHz RAM.

older MBPs that use 204-pin 1066MHz DDR3 RAM can use the 1333MHz stuff of the 2011 MBP, but not the other way around.
 
kgallag1 said:
Hi, all

Anyone know if there would be a problem putting 8 gigs of 1066mhz RAM in the new macbook pro (refreshed this year)?

I've already bought 8 gigs, have it running in my current macbook pro, but want to upgrade to the newest model. I figured if I could use the 1066mhz memory, I'd save myself a bit of money

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yuck, why?? You want to drop thousands of dollars on a new MBP, and then you want to reduce its performance with old slow memory? Huh??? Why bother buying the new MBP then?
 
oakie said:
this is bad info.

it's not compatible with 1066MHz RAM. on the new 2011 MBPs, you must use 1333MHz RAM.

older MBPs that use 204-pin 1066MHz DDR3 RAM can use the 1333MHz stuff of the 2011 MBP, but not the other way around.
Click to expand...

Id be really surprised if this was true. Usually a machine will use slower ram as long as it was the same pin-out, but obviously at the lower speed.
 
oakie said:
this is bad info.

it's not compatible with 1066MHz RAM. on the new 2011 MBPs, you must use 1333MHz RAM.

older MBPs that use 204-pin 1066MHz DDR3 RAM can use the 1333MHz stuff of the 2011 MBP, but not the other way around.
Click to expand...

No, you don't. The memory controller supports both, 1066MHz and 1333MHz DDR3. Usually you cannot use higher clocked RAM but lower clocked RAM will nearly always work.
 
Hellhammer said:
No, you don't. The memory controller supports both, 1066MHz and 1333MHz DDR3. Usually you cannot use higher clocked RAM but lower clocked RAM will nearly always work.
Click to expand...

no, you can downclock faster RAM. but the controller cant always downstep to accommodate slower RAM.

and in this case, the controller used cannot downstep to accommodate slower RAM.
 
1066mhz memory

The only reason I wanted to know is I'm certain that the difference in real world performance between 1066mhz and 1333mhz for memory is effectively non-existent (maybe a few points in benchmarks), but I already own the 8GB memory and I have the original 4gb memory from my macbook pro. As such, I had thought to simply use what I've already paid for. If this was not an option, I'd just buy new memory and be done with it.
 
While you're downgrading your whole machine to older slower memory, you should also swap out the hard drive. Use a 4200 rpm 20 GB drive from 2003, that would be awesome.
 
it also doesnt mean the EFI is capable of recognizing every feature the memory controller offers.

if the 2011 MBP is capable of downstepping to accommodate slower RAM, it would be a first as Apple has never allowed that in the past.
 
Don't pay attention to them. Your 1066 mem will not make a real big difference in noticeable speed and if it's just temporary your doing the right thing. Don't strap yourself over a computer its just not smart or worth it. Keep in mind you could also sell the ram now for 60-70 and then buy new for 100 and be doing alright.
 
oakie said:
it also doesnt mean the EFI is capable of recognizing every feature the memory controller offers.

if the 2011 MBP is capable of downstepping to accommodate slower RAM, it would be a first as Apple has never allowed that in the past.
Click to expand...

Sorry, Mac pro can do it:). I stuck some 1066 in my 6 core 1333 for a few weeks while I waited for my ram to come in the post
 
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