16GB RAM Upgrade for Macbook - worth it?

[tombarnfield]

So, first off, sorry for not putting this in the Macbook forum, but cheekily I thought I'd have more chance of a good reply on here. Awaiting the trolling..!

I've got a 2006 13" original Macbook, 2.0ghz Core Duo processor, upgraded 250gb hard drive, with 1GB RAM, that, despite its age, and thanks to Apple products being so good to me, runs at a really respectable speed without any issues at all.

My question to you guys is: Will upgrading the RAM (maybe even to a superfancy 16GB) make a noticeable difference on performance? Or is my machine just too old, and do I need to just stop being a cheapskate and upgrade entirely.

Thanks homies x

 

[Shrink]

So, first off, sorry for not putting this in the Macbook Pro forum, but cheekily I thought I'd have more chance of a good reply on here. Awaiting the trolling..!

I've got a 2006 13" original Macbook, 2.0ghz Core Duo processor, upgraded 250gb hard drive, that, despite its age, and thanks to Apple products being so good to me, runs at a really respectable speed without any issues at all.

However, in producing music, the RAM obviously takes a hit. I've spoken to a few 'experts' on upgrading the RAM, and they said, with the machine itself, upgrading it is fairly pointless - as it's 'not just about the RAM, but all sorts of variables, like the build (etc)'.

So my question to you guys is: Will upgrading my RAM (maybe even to a superfancy 16ghz) make a noticeable difference? Or is my machine just too old, and do I need to just stop being a cheapskate and upgrade entirely.

Thanks homies x

Just to prove that you will not get a good reply here...I will point out that you ARE in the MacBook Pro sub forum, you cheeky devil!

BTW: I didn't realize that you live in my home...

 

[Wuiffi]

As far as I know the 2006 MB can not handle 16GB of RAM. The maximum is 2 or 4GB I think. I'd say upgrade from 1 to the maximum, it should only cost a little.

 

[B...]

Won't support 16 anyway. Upgrade to 4 and get an SSD, and you'll have a brand new machine.

 

[tombarnfield]

woops! *edited 'sorry to not put this in the Macbook forum' I meant!

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Thanks for the response everyone!

Wuiffi, I've looked (should've looked before) and the maximum upgrade is to 2GB, it looks like maybe upgrading to a SSD would be a good idea. Would this noticeably decrease the effect on CPU in (for example) an audio or movie editing application?

 

[B...]

woops! *edited 'sorry to not put this in the Macbook forum' I meant!

----------

Thanks for the response everyone!

Wuiffi, I've looked (should've looked before) and the maximum upgrade is to 2GB, it looks like maybe upgrading to a SSD would be a good idea. Would this noticeably decrease the effect on CPU in (for example) an audio or movie editing application?

The SSD will greatly decrease bootup time and application launching time.

 

[vincenz]

I would do a fresh OS X install after all that time. You'd probably notice a big difference in speed. Also, a 2006 MacBook only goes up to 2-3 GB RAM max depending on model I believe.

 

[tombarnfield]

thanks vicenz.

but B...., would it provide a noticeable improvement on performance when running CPU-intensive applications?

 

[NewishMacGuy]

Yep, 16GB is out of the question for you (think 4Gb is max on that machine) - but upgrading to your max will make a huge difference, especially if you are running Lion.

However, it is in no way worth the money to put an SSD in there unless you go for a really small one (64-128GB) that doesn't cost very much, and even then it still won't be cost effective on a per GB basis. I would snag a 1st or 2nd gen Seagate Momentus XT for as little as possible and put that in.

>

 

[B...]

thanks vicenz.

but B...., would it provide a noticeable improvement on performance when running CPU-intensive applications?

Nope. Just for disc to RAM tasks,but when data is on the RAM, there is no difference in performance.

 

[bobcan]

Likely a 2GB Max in that model..

If, as you say, it is 'an original vintage' 2006 Core 2 Duo 2.0, then I suspect that 2GB is ALL you can jam into it.. Sooooo..

As noted, a SSD might be the best way to 'give it life' after that!!

 

[wytwolf]

My 2006 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Black Macbook could handle 3GB. If you put in two 2GB sticks it will only recognize 3. But the SSD and ram will put a pep in it's step. Maybe give you another 1-2 years of life.

 

[snaky69]

thanks vicenz.

but B...., would it provide a noticeable improvement on performance when running CPU-intensive applications?

None whatsoever. SSD's only allow applications to load faster into RAM, once that is done, there is no effect at all on processing power.

 

[dukebound85]

Yep, 16GB is out of the question for you (think 4Gb is max on that machine) - but upgrading to your max will make a huge difference, especially if you are running Lion.

However, it is in no way worth the money to put an SSD in there unless you go for a really small one (64-128GB) that doesn't cost very much, and even then it still won't be cost effective on a per GB basis. I would snag a 1st or 2nd gen Seagate Momentus XT for as little as possible and put that in.

>

Why? Nothing is saying he couldn't keep the ssd/transfer it if he ever got a newer machine

 

[NewishMacGuy]

Why? Nothing is saying he couldn't keep the ssd/transfer it if he ever got a newer machine

Not if he plans on upgrading to a new Mac laptop. We've seen the last new uMBP.

>

 

[dukebound85]

Not if he plans on upgrading to a new Mac laptop. We've seen the last new uMBP.

>

Why not? Throw it in a usb 3 enclosure. You could boot from it or use it as a fast storage medium

 

[johnnnw]

I think it's safe to say I need to consider upgrading my RAM soon -_-

Last restarted only a day ago

 

[B...]

I think it's safe to say I need to consider upgrading my RAM soon -_-

Last restarted only a day ago

Image

Might be a good idea.