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Increasing RAM in 2010 17" MBP

MoodyM

MoodyM

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
I have a Mid-2010 17" MacBook Pro with 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules).

I want to upgrade to 8GB. Do I need to buy 2 x 4GB 1066Mhz DDR3 SDRAM?

Or do I need 2 *further* 2GB modules?

Can I get faster RAM than 1066Mhz DDR3?
 
You can buy both, no need for Apple specific RAM though.And yes, 1333 MHz RAM will work, I have that kind of RAM in my 2009 MBP. The Mac recognises it as such, but will probably not take advantage of it, and even if it would, it would be negligible.
 
This one here is 1333Mhz:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMX...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1362916338&sr=1-2

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I got this reply on the Apple discussion boards:

"1333 MHz DDR3 RAM won't work with your Mac. Your Mac only works with 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM.

Apart from that, I highly recommend you to get memory from OWC or Crucial, so you will be sure that the memory you buy is compatible with your computer. You can try with that Amazon memory (it looks like that memory is designed for Macs) and see if it works, but I'm not sure that it works"

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I order this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/memory-upgr...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1362917076&sr=1-1

Does it matter that it says 1067Mhz and not 1066Mhz?
 
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markmcrobie said:
This one here is 1333Mhz:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMX...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1362916338&sr=1-2

----------

I got this reply on the Apple discussion boards:

"1333 MHz DDR3 RAM won't work with your Mac. Your Mac only works with 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM.

Apart from that, I highly recommend you to get memory from OWC or Crucial, so you will be sure that the memory you buy is compatible with your computer. You can try with that Amazon memory (it looks like that memory is designed for Macs) and see if it works, but I'm not sure that it works"

----------

I order this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/memory-upgr...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1362917076&sr=1-1

Does it matter that it says 1067Mhz and not 1066Mhz?
Click to expand...
Not it does not matter.

There is no such thing as "Mac Memory". RAM is RAM, companies slap that sticker on packaging as an excuse to charge 10-15 bucks extra per set, when they are no different than the regular stuff.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Do you think I'll notice a performance boost, going from 4GB to 8GB (bearing in mind at the same time I'm swapping out the current (faulty) Toshiba 1TB 5400rpm hard drive for a 750GB 7200rpm, 6Gb/s, 32MB cache Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive)?
 
markmcrobie said:
Do you think I'll notice a performance boost, going from 4GB to 8GB (bearing in mind at the same time I'm swapping out the current (faulty) Toshiba 1TB 5400rpm hard drive for a 750GB 7200rpm, 6Gb/s, 32MB cache Seagate Momentus XT hybrid drive)?
Click to expand...

More RAM does not equate to more speed unless you're running out of RAM in the first place. Since you have no listed your normal usage patterns, it's impossible to say wether you'll benefit from more RAM or not.

Think of RAM as your desk, and the processor as a worker at that desk. The bigger the desk, the more stuff you can put on it for your employee to do. If the employee is not running out of room on the desk to add more tasks, a bigger desk will not benefit him.
 
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