How Important is Matched Ram

[trikky]

While mismatched RAM won't kill your system, you do lose some performance. Depending on the amount of RAM you have, that performance loss could be significant.

It's in your best interest to get a matched pair when installing RAM - if anything it's one less element to troubleshoot if something goes awry.

There is certainly nothing wrong with OWC RAM - I've purchased from there before. However, my last RAM upgrade (16GB for my 2011 MBP 17") was purchased from newegg.com, via a friend in Texas since I'm in Canada and they don't like selling to Canadians. I got it for about $40.

If $$$ is the deciding factor, search around at some of the sites mentioned here. I personally wouldn't buy RAM from eBay or the like because you can't be sure you're getting what they say you're getting. Buy from a reputable source and you're generally not going to have any issues with RAM purchases.

I'd agree with those who've said that 16GB (2x8) may be better. Sure, it's maybe a little on the overkill side, but you can never have too much RAM.

Good luck.

 

[dellavoce]

My rule of thumb with things like RAM is to get the maximum possible. Macs are expensive, and I'll never go back to Windows, so I need my computers to last as long as possible. I bought the base model 13 inch MacBook (got a killer deal on it, too, I might add) and then upgraded the hard drive and RAM myself on the cheap. I figure that I might not need 16GB of RAM now, but down the road, I probably will. So I would say, if you can afford it, go ahead and and get 2 8GB sticks. If you can't, get one 8GB stick, see how 10gb goes and down the road you can add the second 8GB stick.

 

[Joseph Farrugia]

My rule of thumb with things like RAM is to get the maximum possible. Macs are expensive, and I'll never go back to Windows, so I need my computers to last as long as possible. I bought the base model 13 inch MacBook (got a killer deal on it, too, I might add) and then upgraded the hard drive and RAM myself on the cheap. I figure that I might not need 16GB of RAM now, but down the road, I probably will. So I would say, if you can afford it, go ahead and and get 2 8GB sticks. If you can't, get one 8GB stick, see how 10gb goes and down the road you can add the second 8GB stick.

+1 to what dellavoce said.

 

[robvas]

The memory benchmarks will show a difference but you're only going to see a 1-4% difference in real-world performance, dependant on the apps you run.

 

[AppleTecFan]

well just to update you guys, I went out and bought a single 8GB stick from a local computer store, cost $70 including tax

Supplied from Kingston

 

[Micky Do]

Good to see that you went with the experience of the minority, rather than the opinion of the majority...... and are satisfied with the result, it would seem!

 

[AppleTecFan]

Good to see that you went with the experience of the minority, rather than the opinion of the majority...... and are satisfied with the result, it would seem!

Yeah, and I'm enjoying it; OSX experience is even better now. Basically no limitation in applications open for myself