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32GB RAM MacBook Pro 15" Late 2011

rabidz7

rabidz7

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 24, 2012
1,205
3
Ohio
According to the guides section it is possible to use 32GB ram in a Macbook Pro 15" Late 2011 2.4GHz, is this true?

Where can I get individual 16GB chips?
What will happen if I use latancies under 7?
What will happen if I use RAM above 1600Mhz?
 
Since no 16 GB 204-pin DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM modules exist, nowhere. But you will be able to run Mac OS X 10.3 Panther perfectly with 16 GB.
 
So I can upgrade to 32GB in 6months-1 year.
Or will it be longer before larger modules are available.
 
rabidz7 said:
So I can upgrade to 32GB in 6months-1 year.
Or will it be longer before larger modules are available.
Click to expand...

We do not know that, and 4 GB modules existed a bit longer before 8 GB modules arrived than since the arrival of the 8 GB module two years ago.

Maybe next year, but the advent of DDR4 might nix that.
 
I think it's the higher end processors that can do it, so for the '11 models that's 2.2 and 2.3 (early) and 2.4 and 2.5 (late). Having said that, I wouldn't be suprised if Apple limits them to 16, otherwise the retina will look a bit stupid
 
idon't think the retinas look stupid. they look quite cool, but they ARE certainly stupid... :)
 
Yes 32 GB modules are here!!

http://www.intelligentmemory.com/dram-modules/ddr3-so-dimm/

I have run 1600 MHz RAM in a late 2011 MBP 17" w/no issues.
 
Macrumorsnazis said:
Yes 32 GB modules are here!!

http://www.intelligentmemory.com/dram-modules/ddr3-so-dimm/

I have run 1600 MHz RAM in a late 2011 MBP 17" w/no issues.
Click to expand...

Reading may help (since this has already been discussed, pls search the archives for those posts too):

"Please note: Most notebooks and desktop-computers based on normal Intel processors will not support 16GB UDIMM/SO-DIMM memory modules. This issue may be solvable by a BIOS/UEFI update with a new memory reference code. Please contact the support-hotline of your system-manufacturer to ask if there is a plan to release a software-update for supporting 16GB memory modules"

Thus, ask Apple.
 
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I've got the same model with a 1TB SSD and 16GB memory, it's great, interesting to hear that they're still making bigger modules, whether they work or not I don't know because I just got here.
 
enett9 said:
I have an early 2011 macbook pro. With a processor upgrade + ssd upgrade (already have 500gb) is 32gb a possibility?!
Click to expand...
No. Without soldering one on, it's also not possible to upgrade the CPU.
 
liberte1776 said:
Yes 32 GB modules are here!!


I have run 1600 MHz RAM in a late 2011 MBP 17" w/no issues.
Click to expand...

Sorry to revive an old thread but being a long time user of ther 17 inch late 2011 macbook pro, I am interested in upgrading the RAM to 32gb. According to intel specs, my CPU can support 32GB RAM.

Liberte1776 I wanted to confirm your statement, did you have success running a late 2011 mbp 17 with 32gb RAM? Do you remember if it was the DDR3 or DDR3L, I suppose the L version can function as the non L cards.
 
Last edited:
Hey mate. I believe you need the "L" (for Low) one. For the RAM voltage supply in the 17'/15" MBP is 13.5v which is considered a low voltage as opposed to 15v.
I will be trying it out this coming week. I have ordered a single stick 16GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 1600MHZ RAM. I intend to first use it solo. If successful, I will push for adding an 8GB stick to the remaining slot and see. The goal is to eventually reach 32GB.
Peace!!
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jtgil said:
Sorry to revive an old thread but being a long time user of ther 17 inch late 2011 macbook pro, I am interested in upgrading the RAM to 32gb. According to intel specs, my CPU can support 32GB RAM.

Liberte1776 I wanted to confirm your statement, did you have success running a late 2011 mbp 17 with 32gb RAM? Do you remember if it was the DDR3 or DDR3L, I suppose the L version can function as the non L cards.
Click to expand...
The non "L" runs on 15v, while the "L" on 13.5v as required by the 17/15" MBP.
 
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FlorisVN said:
im wondering how this turned out.. ?

did someone got 32gb to work.. ?
Click to expand...
Bad news!! I tried it today. I put a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up it's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
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liberte1776 said:
Yes 32 GB modules are here!!


I have run 1600 MHz RAM in a late 2011 MBP 17" w/no issues.
Click to expand...
I tried it today. I put in a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up It's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to the do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
 
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MacNago said:
Bad news!! I tried it today. I put a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up it's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
[automerge]1584491546[/automerge]

I tried it today. I put in a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up It's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to the do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
Click to expand...

ok thx for testing !
This confirms it for me that these DDR3 macs, cannot be upgraded to 32GB ram atm.

these core i7 cpu''s doe support 32GB in most cases akkording to intel, I think Apple blocked in within their bios/EFI firmware.
 
@MacNago
MacNago said:
Bad news!! I tried it today. I put a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up it's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
[automerge]1584491546[/automerge]

I tried it today. I put in a single stick 16GB RAM in, and the computer gave out the "No RAM" beeps. Though physically and specs wise everything matches up It's still not seeing the RAM stick.
I think it may have to the do with the BIOS firmware no recognizing the serial code or number of the 16GB RAM stick. The quest goes on :(
Click to expand...
Hi mate, I apologise for taking 2 years to come back to this. Thank you for your reply and subsequent experiment. It seems @liberte1776 typed the wrong number or had a lucky one off Mac...

Although I have been away, I haven't stopped researching this issue. I own a Mac Pro 5,1 as well, and I have been through the typical battles people have to go to keep our Macs updated beyond the unsupported MacOS and hardware with Apple systems.

"OpenCore" has lead to new territories with the Mac Pro 5,1, and although I am not able to investigate this currently for other Macs, I found that unsupported RAM can be used when configuring OpenCore in a Mac Pro. So I believe there is a chance to use OpenCore to allow the cMBP17 to boot using 16GB DIMMS, thus allowing 2x16GB DIMMS for a full awesome 32GBs RAM.

Have a read through here to investigate the matter and whoever wants to give it a go is welcome!
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/crazy-idea-32gb-ram-modules-in-a-cmp-anyone-tried-this.2046693/
 
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