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FAQ: How much RAM will my MacBook take - Answers here.

PriapusZA

PriapusZA

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 21, 2011
677
1
England
So I see a lot of RAM upgrade questions lately and so i thought I would post information here. Maybe we can make this a sticky.

This is a guide to all MacBooks ever made. Also, I will include Apple's recommended amount and actual amount you can put in, to give you guys a good idea - as well as the type of RAM you need.

So, let's get on with it, shall we?

MacBook 1.1 - 2006.

Maximum RAM 2.0 GB
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 2.1 - Late 2006

Maximum RAM 3.0 GB (Actual) 2.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 2.1 - Mid 2007

Maximum RAM 3.0 GB (Actual) 2.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 3.1 - Late 2007

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 4.1 - Early 2008

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 4.1 Late 2008

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 5.1 - 13" Aluminum, - Late 2008

Maximum RAM 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

MacBook 5.1 - 13" Early 2009

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 5.2 - 13" Mid 2009

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of Ram Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 6.1 - 13" Late 2009

Maximum RAM 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

MacBook 7.1 - 13" Mid 2010

Maximum RAM 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM


I hope this answers a lot of the questions asked regarding Ram upgrades. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Tander said:
MacBook 5.1 - 13" Early 2009

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

MacBook 5.1 - 13" Mid 2009

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of Ram Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM
Click to expand...

Do you want to edit these 2 MacBooks - they should both be MacBook 5,2 ?
 
Tander said:
So I see a lot of RAM upgrade questions lately and so i thought I would post information here.
Click to expand...
You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:
 
GGJstudios said:
You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you for that. I just thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

R.
 
Tander said:
MacBook 5.1 - 13" Aluminum, - Late 2008

Maximum RAM 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

:cool:
Click to expand...

I think it might be worth noting that my MacBook 5,1 is running 1333 MHz 8GB chips. The system is recognizing and accepting them.

And thank you Tander for putting this together! It takes a lot of energy and effort. Please don't feed the trolls...
 

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Hello McBeresford , I have a macbook 5.1 as well. I see your profile says you have a macbook pro.

I was wondering exactly which ram you purchased so I could order the exact same one. Was this installed in a regular macbook 5.1? Thank you very much for the help
 
Wirelessly posted

There have been reports of 8gb of ram in the white MacBook 5,2. Ddr2 is mad expensive so it's hard to take the risk though
 
gumblecosby said:
Wirelessly posted

There have been reports of 8gb of ram in the white MacBook 5,2. Ddr2 is mad expensive so it's hard to take the risk though
Click to expand...
Maximum RAM for the MacBook 5,2 is 6GB. The MacBook 6,1 and 7,1 were the only MacBook models that supported 8GB.
 
Welcome, even MacTracker doesn't show the new numbers. Now if only Apple will release a firmware update for the 7,1 iMac that'll allow 8Gb and booting into 64-bit mode.
 
Do not upgrade mac 5,1 to 1333

Hello everyone ,, I have been testing this for a few months now.

the 1333 8 gb on macbook pro 5,1 it will work .. but you will get gliches and your computer will hang every once in a while .. I went though so much struggle to try to know why my computer was having the loading issue . and when i went back to the old factory ram .. it went fine .

The issue is the 1333 speed its not suitable but will run .. so its best to get 8 gb with the normal speed of 1067 ... make sure you dont do this mistake ..

Cheers
 
6.0 GB?how it is possible?

MacBook 3.1 - Late 2007

Maximum RAM 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Type of RAM Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM
Click to expand...

First of all, thank you for putting together these information.

How it is possible to have the Actual 6.0 GB Ram, if my Macbook(3.1) have only two RAM slots?
There is any other secret RAM slot, where I can insert one more 2.0 GB 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIM to obtain 3x2=6 like a 007?:eek:)

Or perhaps you guys mean to insert two 4 GB200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM .
Do exist this type of 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM with 4.0GB?Where?With these probably won't work:http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-667MHz-PC2-5300-PC2-5400-SODIMM/sim/B004LT6MSA/2/ref=pd_cp_pc_sexpl/180-3715512-7164533

Do I need to upgrade the firmware to see my 3.1 Macbook the 6.0 GB RAM from eventually installed 8.0 GB RAM?

Or, simply there is no way to have 6.0 GB RAM on my 3.1 Macbook? Right

Thanks for your patience for reading all this.

And thank you if someone would help.
 
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GGJstudios said:
You can either use two 4GB sticks, or one 4GB and one 2GB.
Click to expand...

Using two 4GB sticks in a Santa Rosa Mac, like the Macbook3,1, is not recommended. It'll see 8GB, but after using 6GB it becomes extremely slow and unstable because it runs out of memory registers.
 
Intell said:
Using two 4GB sticks in a Santa Rosa Mac, like the Macbook3,1, is not recommended. It'll see 8GB, but after using 6GB it becomes extremely slow and unstable because it runs out of memory registers.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info!
 
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