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8gb + 2gb = 10gb ram?

S

suresh31

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 28, 2007
109
2
Pennsylvania
I am getting the new non-retina MBP and I want to upgrade the RAM by adding a single 8GB stick rather than a pair of 4GB sticks since both are same cost and single 8GB stick will allow me to add another 8GB stick later.

Anybody did this? any side effects of having 2GB in one slot and 8GB in another slot from different manufacturers? my guess is it shouldn't matter but just want to check it if anyone did this.
 
It will be ok but it's faster with the same amount in each slot

Q - are you sure you need 16gb?

Q - Have you shopped around - prices have fallen recently quite a bit.
 
suresh31 said:
I am getting the new non-retina MBP and I want to upgrade the RAM by adding a single 8GB stick rather than a pair of 4GB sticks since both are same cost and single 8GB stick will allow me to add another 8GB stick later.

Anybody did this? any side effects of having 2GB in one slot and 8GB in another slot from different manufacturers? my guess is it shouldn't matter but just want to check it if anyone did this.
Click to expand...
There is a slight advantage to having matched pairs, but not as much as increasing RAM. The question is, do you really need 16GB?

MR Guide to Matched RAM on Intel Macs
 
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Rajpdx said:
It will be ok but it's faster with the same amount in each slot

Q - are you sure you need 16gb?

Q - Have you shopped around - prices have fallen recently quite a bit.
Click to expand...

I may need in future but I am not sure. If I buy 2x4GB and When I do need 16GB, I have to throw these out and buy 2x8GB ..

2x4GB(56.99) is same price as 1x8GB(56.99) .. and 2x8GB(56.99 x 2) is less cost than buying 16GB pack(119.99) which is nothing but 2x8GB in a single pack.

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suresh31 said:
I may need in future but I am not sure. If I buy 2x4GB and When I do need 16GB, I have to throw these out and buy 2x8GB ..

2x4GB(56.99) is same price as 1x8GB(56.99) .. and 2x8GB(56.99 x 2) is less cost than buying 16GB pack(119.99) which is nothing but 2x8GB in a single pack.
Click to expand...

Also noticed Corsair Vengenance 4GB sticks have 9-9-9-24 latency and 8GB sticks have 10-10-10-27 latency .. not sure if that even matters.
 
suresh31 said:
I may need in future but I am not sure. If I buy 2x4GB and When I do need 16GB, I have to throw these out and buy 2x8GB ..

2x4GB(56.99) is same price as 1x8GB(56.99) .. and 2x8GB(56.99 x 2) is less cost than buying 16GB pack(119.99) which is nothing but 2x8GB in a single pack.

----------



Also noticed Corsair Vengenance 4GB sticks have 9-9-9-24 latency and 8GB sticks have 10-10-10-27 latency .. not sure if that even matters.
Click to expand...

Here's 16gb ram for only $100


Theres only one review because I guess they just released the 1600 version. The 1333 version is selling for only $75 for 16gb, and it is 4/5 stars (my friend actually has a pair of the 1333 ram in his early 2011 model and its working great).

I would just spend the extra $40 and get 16gb outright instead of messing around with the 8gb+2gb

Theres only one review because
 
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Doing it right now. Works fine.
 

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You might want to be wary about Corsair Vengeance for the 2012 MBP:
As far as I know, Corsair Vengeance is 1.5V RAM whereas the 2012 (Ivy Bridge) MBP requires 1.35V.

My 2 cents,
ETN
 
I always used to tell people to get the most RAM possible as it was the single component that would have the biggest impact on performance. Today I would recommend upgrading to an SSD before maxing out a system's memory. However, RAM is still one of the best upgrades you can do, and if you are going to do it, it is worth it to get the most possible.

Don't pay attention to others that say 2gb of memory will not make a difference. You will be surprised how quickly you can utilize 8GB of ram just multitasking everyday stuff. Or, think about it this way. 2gb of RAM is about the perfect amount to run a virtual machine on Windows without limiting performance.


suresh31 said:
I am getting the new non-retina MBP and I want to upgrade the RAM by adding a single 8GB stick rather than a pair of 4GB sticks since both are same cost and single 8GB stick will allow me to add another 8GB stick later.

Anybody did this? any side effects of having 2GB in one slot and 8GB in another slot from different manufacturers? my guess is it shouldn't matter but just want to check it if anyone did this.
Click to expand...
 
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Amitvirat said:
Hey NintendoFan.. Is your Mac still working great with the 8+2 GB configuration?? I am also planning for the same combo
Click to expand...

There's no reason it shouldn't work great. People have been using mismatched RAM in computers ever since RAM was sold in sticks. Don't sweat it.
 
suresh31 said:
I am getting the new non-retina MBP and I want to upgrade the RAM by adding a single 8GB stick rather than a pair of 4GB sticks since both are same cost and single 8GB stick will allow me to add another 8GB stick later.

Anybody did this? any side effects of having 2GB in one slot and 8GB in another slot from different manufacturers? my guess is it shouldn't matter but just want to check it if anyone did this.
Click to expand...

I am running 5GB (4+1) and it's been fine for many years.
 
You know there will always be some more questions...

1) Does it matter which stacked slot you put the larger memory in (8 GB) on top slot and 2 GB on bottom slot?

2) Does it matter on "About this Mac" memory pane, if the 8 GB shows up first or second?

Just asking, maybe it makes no difference, I was just wondering if one of the slots is read before the other?
 
DonCarlos said:
You know there will always be some more questions...

1) Does it matter which stacked slot you put the larger memory in (8 GB) on top slot and 2 GB on bottom slot?

2) Does it matter on "About this Mac" memory pane, if the 8 GB shows up first or second?

Just asking, maybe it makes no difference, I was just wondering if one of the slots is read before the other?
Click to expand...

No and no.
 
No and no.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response.

Other than showing a different order in the display window, when switched, I noticed no change in performance, but I would think the order may indicate what module is used first (but don't really know that).

Module 0 is actually the bottom physical slot of the stack and looks like this on the display windows, when the 8 GB is in the module 0 slot.

RAM2x8_zpsabf1daf7.jpg



Conversely, when switched, and the 2 GB is in module 0, it looks like this
RAM8x2_zps4cc41d80.jpg



In any case, what great thing it was to add more memory, edits in picture, running videos, multi-tasking all were noticeably swifter and more stable....most importantly no POD's. That's a first. I wonder if anything beyond a total of 10 GB is even necessary (but I am sure I will find a justification to add a new 8 GB in the future :)).
 
suresh31 said:
I am getting the new non-retina MBP and I want to upgrade the RAM by adding a single 8GB stick rather than a pair of 4GB sticks since both are same cost and single 8GB stick will allow me to add another 8GB stick later.

Anybody did this? any side effects of having 2GB in one slot and 8GB in another slot from different manufacturers? my guess is it shouldn't matter but just want to check it if anyone did this.
Click to expand...

i would invest in a SSD as well or first ! it makes everything load so much quicker.
 
Hi guys!
I have a 2012-mid MBC 15'' and I decided to buy a single slot 8GB RAM and make a 8GB+2GB both 1600MHz.
My questions are:
1 - Can I buy a 8GB DDR3L ?
2 - If so, it will be fine if it works with a 2GB DDR3 in the other slot?

Thank you,
Pato ;)
 
The stock ram is 1.35 V. My single 8GB stick is 1.35 V as well.

This is what I put in my 2012 13".

I've never checked to see if I could mix and match ram voltages. Maybe someone will chime in.
 
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