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cMBP RAM Upgrade Question

B

bgro

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 6, 2010
1,143
697
South Florida
Hi All,

Looking to upgrade the RAM on my 2012 13" MacBook Pro. My question is about voltage. Seems there is a debate between using 1.35 vs 1.5. I'm not sure if 1.5 should be used now.

Can anybody who has upgraded their RAM post the RAM that was taken out of the cMBP? In other words, post the model of the original RAM Apple used? I would like to look up if the original RAM is 1.35 or 1.5 since I have seen conflicting reports after researching.

Thanks!
 
That's what I've read too but I also read a post on the Apple support forums where a user took out the original memory in his 2012 13" cMBP and it was 1.5.

After some additional reading it looks like the rMBP might use 1.35 (DDR3L) and the cMBP use 1.5 (DDR3). Just trying to get a little more evidence before I get the Corsair 1.5 from Amazon.
 
bgro said:
That's what I've read too but I also read a post on the Apple support forums where a user took out the original memory in his 2012 13" cMBP and it was 1.5.

After some additional reading it looks like the rMBP might use 1.35 (DDR3L) and the cMBP use 1.5 (DDR3). Just trying to get a little more evidence before I get the Corsair 1.5 from Amazon.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I want to know that too. I ordered it and then cancelled when I realized it may not be the right voltage. Are you looking at this? http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...d=1344196421&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+pc+12800

I want to hop on that but I want to be sure it's right. The reviews look pretty good (I have the 2012 cMBP 15)

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Now I am very confused. Tempted to take my notebook apart and check

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Also I dunno enough about tinkering with macs but on BIOS motherboards you can manually set RAM voltage
 
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mjn298 said:
Yeah, I want to know that too. I ordered it and then cancelled when I realized it may not be the right voltage. Are you looking at this? http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...d=1344196421&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+pc+12800

I want to hop on that but I want to be sure it's right. The reviews look pretty good (I have the 2012 cMBP 15)

----------

Now I am very confused. Tempted to take my notebook apart and check

----------

Also I dunno enough about tinkering with macs but on BIOS motherboards you can manually set RAM voltage
Click to expand...

Yup that's exactly the one I'm looking at. I was thinking about popping one of the original sticks out also before I buy that RAM from Amazon.

Im doing an initial Time Machine backup so once that's done maybe I'll pop out the RAM and report back. Really don't want to order this RAM if we're supposed to be using 1.35. I think the backup might take a few hours so I'll report back and update as to what voltage apple is using in mine.
 
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mjn298 said:
I just opened mine up and i have Hynix "HMT325S6CFR8C" which is 1.5 volts. So I'm assuming 1.5 volts is OK.
Click to expand...

Hmm so you are the second person who said that Apple is using 1.5 in the cMBPs. I'm just gonna go ahead and order the Corsair from Amazon. I will update with what the original RAM is when I change it out sometime this week. Appreciate the help.
 
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Yeah, happy to help! Also the 2x8 isn't in stock but the 1x8 is.

I don't get it.

Whatever. I'm looking forward to it, although I've refrained from doing anything really memory intensive until I get that upgrade in.

Next step, SSD. I'll likely wait a couple of months or so to see if prices drop on >256 gb ones.
 
mjn298 said:
Yeah, happy to help! Also the 2x8 isn't in stock but the 1x8 is.

I don't get it.

Whatever. I'm looking forward to it, although I've refrained from doing anything really memory intensive until I get that upgrade in.

Next step, SSD. I'll likely wait a couple of months or so to see if prices drop on >256 gb ones.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw that the 2x8 weren't in stock till mid next week. SSD is next for me too..or a Thunderbolt Display lol. I have like $2k worth of upgrades spent in my head dam u apple!
 
Meh you guys have no clue what you're talking about.

1.35v will work fine on your 1.5v RAM slot. It will run cooler and use less energy. Battery will last longer too. You just can't over clock it. There is absolutely no reason not to get 1.35v RAM on a laptop.

Please use www.crucial.com system detection tool to see what RAM is compatible with your system. Newegg.com has one also.
 
pragmatous said:
Meh you guys have no clue what you're talking about.

1.35v will work fine on your 1.5v RAM slot. It will run cooler and use less energy. Battery will last longer too. You just can't over clock it. There is absolutely no reason not to get 1.35v RAM on a laptop.

Please use www.crucial.com system detection tool to see what RAM is compatible with your system. Newegg.com has one also.
Click to expand...

I don't really think its a matter of anyone "having no clue what they were talking about". Just a matter of if it was ok to put 1.5 in when the Apple documentation seems to suggest 1.35. No one was saying 1.35 wouldn't work, I think we just wanted to know if the Corsair RAM (1.5) from Amazon would be ok. And since Apple is apparently using 1.5 in the 2012 cMBPs, it seems like it will be. Personally I would feel much more comfortable using the same specced RAM that Apple initially uses so I'll stick with the 1.5. Thanks for the info tho.
 
bgro said:
Hi All,

Looking to upgrade the RAM on my 2012 13" MacBook Pro. My question is about voltage. Seems there is a debate between using 1.35 vs 1.5. I'm not sure if 1.5 should be used now.

Can anybody who has upgraded their RAM post the RAM that was taken out of the cMBP? In other words, post the model of the original RAM Apple used? I would like to look up if the original RAM is 1.35 or 1.5 since I have seen conflicting reports after researching.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Over the past several weeks, I've been trying to get to the bottom of this damn question. I am getting the 2.3GHz 15" cMBP anyday now and have looked at all the forums and websites. I even tried getting an answer from Apple (first I tried apple online chat, then 1-800-MyApple, and finally calling a local Apple Store Genius Bar) without any luck. From what I can tell, 1.35v is the way to go with the 2012 MBP's. Both OWC and Crucial recommend 1.35v on their websites.

But hey, who really knows.. :confused:
 
logicpro7 said:
Im running 16gb 1.35v Crucial in my 2012 13" mbp. All good here!
Click to expand...

Thanks!

So based on feedback/taking apart our machines it appears either one works.

This is exactly what this board is for!

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logicpro7 said:
Regarding the prices... A pair of 8gb are dearer as they are a matched pair.
Click to expand...

WOW this is a great point

I feel like a moron.

Really sorry for not catching that earlier.
 
The fact that you're not providing any useful info when all anyone had to do is google it.

You can either use the information I provided or choose to ignore it. It's your choice.

mjn298 said:
What demonstrated to you that we have no idea what we're talking about?

Don't be a dick.
Click to expand...
 
semiauto said:
Over the past several weeks, I've been trying to get to the bottom of this damn question. I am getting the 2.3GHz 15" cMBP anyday now and have looked at all the forums and websites. I even tried getting an answer from Apple (first I tried apple online chat, then 1-800-MyApple, and finally calling a local Apple Store Genius Bar) without any luck. From what I can tell, 1.35v is the way to go with the 2012 MBP's. Both OWC and Crucial recommend 1.35v on their websites.

But hey, who really knows.. :confused:
Click to expand...

Yeah there's definitely conflicting info online and from even Apple themselves.
But a user in this thread popped a stick out and verified 1.5 and another user did the same in this thread (9th post down)

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4053548?start=15&tstart=0

I do see that both OWC and Crucial recommend 1.35 so it seems that either one will be fine. Personally, I'd rather use what Apple puts in to begin with but that is just personal preference.

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pragmatous said:
The fact that you're not providing any useful info when all anyone had to do is google it.

You can either use the information I provided or choose to ignore it. It's your choice.
Click to expand...

Lol at your response. Mjn has actually been the most helpful user in this thread. He/she actually opened the Macbook up and saw what voltage RAM Apple is using. And guess what...it's 1.5. That's pretty useful info in my book. And based on Google search results, alot of users are having the same question because there is conflicting info online. Something you might have found if you had actually googled the issue and not just relied on a recommendation from a third party retailer (although in this case I would put some (but not all) stock on info from Crucial and OWC as they are reputable companies).
 
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