Is faster RAM compatible?

[NicEXE]

I wanted to upgrade my MacBook Pro 17 (Early 2009) from 4GB RAM to 8GB RAM.
According to this Memory specifications my MacBook Pro is compatible with this type of RAM: PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz type RAM

I found a deal online but its only about this type of RAM: PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz type RAM.
I know I wont get any extra speed but its cheaper from the slower/compatible modules (because of a limited time discount)
If I replace my stock RAM modules with 2x PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz type RAM will it work?

 

[Orlandoech]

Reports have shown the majority of users have no issues, however it will downscale/clock to the 1066MHz supported by the logic board.

Also, a minority of users have reported issues with posting, everything I have read is usually based on "Value" modules having the issues.

 

[Macman45]

Best advice is to use a tool like crucial, to determine what your board can take...Yep, buy faster RAM but it will be run at the speed your logic board is capable of and no faster.

Apple wil tell you that 8GB is max for most cMBP's...Not so, I have run several of them with 16GB and had a noticeable performance hit every time.

In all cases as posted above, avoid "Value" Ram at all cost's..It's a world of pain.

 

[snaky69]

Apple wil tell you that 8GB is max for most cMBP's...Not so, I have run several of them with 16GB and had a noticeable performance hit every time.

That cap is true for anything but a few specific 2010 models and 2011 models and later. So actually, most cMBP's can only take 8GB.

 

[Orlandoech]

That cap is true for anything but a few specific 2010 models and 2011 models and later. So actually, most cMBP's can only take 8GB.

The 13" models, this is correct.

 

[NicEXE]

The Crucial tool says nothing more than apple (in my case):
Crucial System Scanner results for your Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Laptop/Notebook
Crucial suggests me the 1066Mhz model.

In anyway, what do you guys think about this module: Crucial 4GB, 204-Pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-10600 Memory Module
Is Crucial considered a good brand?

 

[Orlandoech]

Crucial, Corsair, Kingston, GSkill, Giel, are all good, reputable brands.

 

[ianwuk]

I will just add my thoughts here.

My MBP is mid-2010 (13 inch), started out with 4GB RAM, I looked in to upgrading to 8GB, took it to an Apple store, they put in 1333MHz and it flatly refused to boot up (hung at the Apple logo). So the original 1067MHz RAM was put back in, worked fine.

Where I am (Thailand) it is very hard to find notebook RAM that is 1067MHz and not 1333MHz. So I used OWC to upgrade to 8GB, worked fine (1067MHz), and I recently used OWC again to upgrade to 16GB (they launched a new RAM chip for certain MBP models that allowed for 16GB instead of the max 8GB listed by Apple).

It all works fine.