8GB memory upgrade probs

[maxniomi]

Hi guys. New to this site and partly to macs.
i have a problem with my MacBook pro mid 2010 13" 2.4ghz core 2 duo.
i basically wanted to update the ram and went about finding out what it has which is 2x2gb ddr3 8500s. I went into memory upgrade instructions and it advises to use ddr3 12800 2x4gb.
so i went out and bought a set and tried to install and got the dreaded three bleeps and tried one at a time and the mac boots but no screen or sound.
I've tried re-seating them but no luck and tried one of the old ram and one new one and it booted fine and shows 6gb but it still won't boot with both 12800 ram in but does with both 2gb 8500.

I've taken a screen shot of the service information if that helps and the new memory and old. thank you!

 

[DeltaMac]

You have discovered that MacBookPros can be a bit finicky with some third-party RAM sticks.
Your 2010 MBPro, 13-inch DOES support up to 2 x 8GB. BUT, you need compatible RAM. The RAM that you purchased is clocked at 1600MHz, and apparently you can use it with one stick of the original RAM, but not with both of the faster sticks installed.
You won't be able to make that RAM work, it just won't clock down to the slower bus on your MBPro. You did see that when the 4GB is added to the 2GB, that BOTH show 1067MHz clock speed, even though the newer RAM is much faster.
The factory spec would be for PC3-8500, which would clock at about that 1067MHz.
You can probably return that memory, and then purchase sticks that are closer to factory spec.
Better RAM would be Crucial --- or OWC is also good about supplying RAM that actually works.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-(13-inch,-mid-2010)/CT3309355
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/8566DDR3S8GB/

 

[maxniomi]

Cheers mate that makes sense and will look into it. Am i ok using one of each for now?

 

[DeltaMac]

Sure, if that configuration works, and System Information/Memory tab shows the memory correctly.

 

[maxniomi]

Brilliant thank you