Just Installed RAM, Recognized More Than Expected?

[ppc_michael]

I have a 17" Rev C MacBook Pro. According to the intarwebz, my model should only recognize up to 3GB of RAM.

I just bought two 2GB sticks to total 4GB of RAM. I did this simply for the "matched pair" "benefits" and only expected 3 to be used. Well I turned on the computer, went to About This Mac, and was surprised to find that it recognized all 4GB.

Does this mean all four are in use? Or does it only use three, even though it knows it has four (lame)?

All I know is that Safari seems snappier.

 

[Batt]

Shows 4, uses 3.3.

 

[ppc_michael]

I guess this is what's confusing me:

1) Why does it have the capability to see 4GB if it can't use it?
2) Wouldn't it make more sense to display the amount of RAM available to use?

 

[davinche]

I guess this is what's confusing me:

1) Why does it have the capability to see 4GB if it can't use it?
2) Wouldn't it make more sense to display the amount of RAM available to use?

The OS recognizes all the ram but I believe it is a limitation in the chipset that allows you to only address 3.3.

 

[ppc_michael]

The OS recognizes all the ram but I believe it is a limitation in the chipset that allows you to only address 3.3.

Oh. Well that's too bad.

But by having four installed, I'm not hurting anything or losing performance, right?

 

[Ryox]

Oh. Well that's too bad.

But by having four installed, I'm not hurting anything or losing performance, right?

Yup, you should be fine