Can early-2011 MacBook Pro 13" handle 1600 RAM?

[alexjholland]

Hey, I have an early-2011 MacBook Pro 13" with an i5 processor.

Can I use 1600 Mhz RAM?

I've made many reports suggesting the 15" early 2011 can use 1600 and the late 2011 13".

I've read conflicting reports on the early-2011 MacBook Pro 13" i5 though.

I'm ordering 16GB.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Nope, just stick with 1333MHz. I'd stick to that on any 2011 Mac. Best case scenario, even if it works you won't see any real-world performance benefit.

 

[tubeexperience]

The answer is yes.

Next question.

 

[MBP_187]

Hi alexjholland,

I am using a similar MBP (late 2011, 13' i5). Recently I wanted to upgrade the RAM (from 4Gb) to 16Gb, but was not finding any 1333Mhz RAM locally.

I read on this forum that it supports 1600 Mhz, but kept on looking for a long time in the local market for 1333 Mhz, 8 Gb RAM.

Finally, last week I tried out the 1600 Mhz RAM ( 2 sticks of 8Gb = 16 Gb).

I am happy to report that I am not having any problems what so ever with my MBP.I am running Yosemite.

Good Luck

 

[ls1dreams]

I'm using 1333mhz / 1.5v memory with mine - so it doesn't seem too picky about the 1.35v memory. (Though it could just mean I have high quality ram that can handle the low voltages well)

 

[d0nK]

Google the processor in your mbp.
The Intel i5's and i7's in the upgraded BTO mbp's from 2011 actually do support 1600MHz ram, but the base models do not.

If you use 1600MHz ram with an i5/i7 that does not support 1600MHz, then it is up to the motherboard to either underclock it to 1333MHz or not work at all.

 

[alexjholland]

Google the processor in your mbp.
The Intel i5's and i7's in the upgraded BTO mbp's from 2011 actually do support 1600MHz ram, but the base models do not.

If you use 1600MHz ram with an i5/i7 that does not support 1600MHz, then it is up to the motherboard to either underclock it to 1333MHz or not work at all.

Hey, mine's the 2.3 Ghz. What were the BTO options?

Am I right in thinking mine's the base model? And therefore, I cannot use 1600?

 

[alexjholland]

On the thread below, someone with my exact model appears to have the 1600Mhz working!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-2011-ram-1333mhz-vs-1600mhz.1175322/page-2

 

[d0nK]

Hey, mine's the 2.3 Ghz. What were the BTO options?

Am I right in thinking mine's the base model? And therefore, I cannot use 1600?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_year/macs-released-in-2011.html

http://ark.intel.com/products/53449/Intel-Core-i5-2415M-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_90-GHz

So, for your mbp to actually work with 1600MHz memory, the motherboard will have to automatically underclock it for your processor. That other person with the same model mbp as yours, with 1600MHz ram, kinda proves that the motherboard will underclock it for you.

Fair enough, but I would still get 1333MHz ram if possible.

 

[ZapNZs]

I would give either of these people a call or a chat. When I have memory questions, I generally call Crucial. My guess is that they will say that it will display correctly but will downclock to the specified 1333 MHz parameter. Where as the CPU for the 15-inch Early 2011s support 1600, IIRC the i5 dual cores only support 1333.
https://eshop.macsales.com/Service/
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/suppo...v-_-flyout-support-_-us-support-contact-phone

 

[alexjholland]

I would give either of these people a call or a chat. When I have memory questions, I generally call Crucial. My guess is that they will say that it will display correctly but will downclock to the specified 1333 MHz parameter. Where as the CPU for the 15-inch Early 2011s support 1600, IIRC the i5 dual cores only support 1333.
https://eshop.macsales.com/Service/
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/suppo...v-_-flyout-support-_-us-support-contact-phone

Unfortunately both those numbers gave me sales agents reading autocues, that were of no more benefit than using their website.

I'm leaning towards returning this 1600 RAM and getting some 1333.

 

[alexjholland]

For the tiny benefit I MIGHT get, I decided to play it safe and have ordered the 1333 and returned the 1600.

 

[MBP_187]

I am using 1600 MHz RAM without any problems. As I mentioned in my first post, I was looking for 1333 MHz RAM locally, but was unable to find any, so I purchased the 1600 MHz RAM.

I'm a 'layman' and not that technical, so I do not really know/understand the 'underclocking' issue that was mentioned in the thread earlier.

Good Luck

 

[alexjholland]

I am using 1600 MHz RAM without any problems. As I mentioned in my first post, I was looking for 1333 MHz RAM locally, but was unable to find any, so I purchased the 1600 MHz RAM.

I'm a 'layman' and not that technical, so I do not really know/understand the 'underclocking' issue that was mentioned in the thread earlier.

Good Luck

Yeah it seems to show up as 1600, it's just that others seem to question if it runs at 1600?

 

[MBP_187]

Yeah it seems to show up as 1600, it's just that others seem to question if it runs at 1600?

Well for me, as long as it works as increased RAM properly, I'm ok...regardless of speed.

 

[MBP_187]

mispost

 

[chipchen]

It actually depends on the RAM. Some RAM clocks down just fine and others don't. Best thing to do is to check the reviews when you purchase, see if someone mentions their exact model. (On Amazon this is easy because they have so many reviews.)