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MacBook Pro 2011 upgrading (16GB RAM, 128GB SSD)

G

Girasole

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 18, 2011
14
0
Hello,

I would like to upgrade my MacBook Pro (early 2011) to get a significant performance increase by installing the following components:

1) 16GB RAM
-> CSX 2x 8GB = 16GB KIT DDR3 RAM 1333 Mhz PC3-10600 SO-DIMM
___http://www.mac-speicher-shop.de/Produkt/CSX-2x-8GB-16GB-KIT-DDR3-RAM-1333-Mhz-PC3-10600-SO-DIMM
2) 128GB SSD (in exchange for optical drive)
-> SATA-Adapter-KIT for MacBook Pro
___http://hardwrk.com/macbook-ssd-hdd-adapter-kit.html
-> Crucial CT128M4SSD2 128GB internal SSD (6,4cm (2,5 Zoll), SATA)
___http://www.amazon.de/Crucial-CT128M...estplatte/dp/B004W2JKZI/ref=pd_cp_computers_3
3) 2TB HDD
-> which one???


Now I have some questions:

1) Do these components have a significant (negative) impact on:
-> Heat development?
-> Power consumption?
-> Warranty?
2) Would you recommend alternative components?
-> Compatability
-> Cost-performance ratio
3) Do I have to recken with complications at Installation of components? (Should I rather refrain from doing this excercise?)


Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Gira
 
Last edited:
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What do you do, that you would see a performance gain in 16gb of ram?

Do you run a lot of demanding apps at the same time? What is your usage typically like.

I have 8gb of ram and I'm not over extending the ram utilization when I have Lightroom, photoshop, bridge, and VMware up and running at the same time. Admittedly I'm not editing humongous files either, just 10mp and 12mp photos.
 
I recently upgrade my early 2011 MBP to 16 gig of ram as I need to run a number of somewhat bloated VMs for demonstration purposes.

I swapped the OEM HD for an SSD a few months ago and found my my battery life extended after installing the SSD. The performance is stellar.
 
So, OP basically wants to upgrade his Mac by replacing:

- Current RAM --> 16 GB RAM
- Built-in HDD --> 2 TB HDD
- Optical Drive --> 128 GB SSD (probably with OptiBay or an alternative)

And OP wants to know, after the upgrade:

- Does he need to worry about heat (are, for example, is the HDD+SSD combo hotter than the standard HDD+Optical Drive combo)?
- Does it drain more battery?
- In what way does this affect his guaranty on his MBP?

Then, what alternative HDD/SSD/RAM do you have in mind which seems a better deal than what OP suggests?

Lastly, will there be any issues during hardware/software installation of the new hardware? Will the Mac instantly recognise the new RAM, for example? Any required drivers needed to be downloaded? Etc...

* OP = Original Poster.
 
i bought 8 gb of OWC ram, and a intel 320 series 120 gb ssd, plus my apple 120gb ssd. battery life seems better somehow, no heat issues, never even updated the firmware, no problems. computer runs faster on ssd's obviously and they dont make 2tb internals. 16gb of ram is totally useless in my eyes. if you need that much ram buy a desktop. but its your money.

my suggestion for you

at leas 12gb of ram (because you think you need it)
the ssd you want and take your normal hdd and put it in the optibay. or if you must get a hybrid drive at least 750gb.

i use a seagate 1.5tb external. but i would love to upgrade to a 256gb ssd, and a 750gb hybrid 7200rpm hdd.
 
Girasole said:
Which 2TB HDD to buy for the MBP?
Click to expand...

Oh, I couldn't quite make out your cryptic nomenclature.

Everything you have listed is a good option except the 2TB drive which has already pointed out doesn't exist. However...

* yes, the 16gb RAM is probably overkill but really, it's getting so cheap these days and you are already opening up your MBP so I say go for it. Don't bog down on the brand - they're all the same. Base your decision on the warranty.

* I'd use the SSD as a replacement for the internal HD. Put a 1TB in the optibay. Less conflicts this way. Again, don't worry so much about "which one" but Crucial seems to have finally gotten the bugs out of their SSD's these days. (Mine is fine with no TRIM support).
 
Thank you very much for your replies so far! So basically my component proposals are ok...

So there is no internal 2TB HDD on the market? That would explain why I could find any HDD in the internet! :cool:
Can you maybe recommend a 1,5TB? I just need a lot of space for my Sample Libraries.
 
Girasole said:
Thank you very much for your replies so far! So basically my component proposals are ok...

So there is no internal 2TB HDD on the market? That would explain why I could find any HDD in the internet! :cool:
Can you maybe recommend a 1,5TB? I just need a lot of space for my Sample Libraries.
Click to expand...

Major bug in Crucial m4. BSOD after 5000 hours. Google it
 
trajan2448 said:
Major bug in Crucial m4. BSOD after 5000 hours. Google it
Click to expand...

And Crucial is already working on a new firmware update to fix it. It doesn't seem to affect all M4s either. Besides, for someone buying an SSD today 5000 hours is quite a ways off. I'm not saying that it isn't a major bug, just that it isn't comparable to say the bugs that Sandforce-based drives seem to have.

----------
Girasole said:
Thank you very much for your replies so far! So basically my component proposals are ok...

So there is no internal 2TB HDD on the market? That would explain why I could find any HDD in the internet! :cool:
Can you maybe recommend a 1,5TB? I just need a lot of space for my Sample Libraries.
Click to expand...

AFAIK no 1.5TB either, the largest they make is 1TB.

And replacing the ODD with an HDD does technically void the warranty, but unless you break something during the process Apple would probably never know.
 
1) Do these components have a significant (negative) impact on:
-> Heat development? No.
-> Power consumption? Some impact. Not significant I would say
-> Warranty? Yes. If you need service, you should put back the optical drive
2) Would you recommend alternative components?
-> Compatability I'm not familiar with CSX memory.
-> Cost-performance ratio 16 GB RAM only worth it if you really need it right now
3) Do I have to recken with complications at Installation of components? (Should I rather refrain from doing this excercise?) Buy screwdrivers of the right size, then it should be fine
 
I agree, the way 8GB sticks are dropping in prices, you will probably get 16 GB for as low as 50 USD in a few months time if you wait. If you really don't need more then 8GB, then I suggest putting your savings to buy a bigger SSD and buy the RAM later when it gets really cheap.
 
Girasole said:
Can you maybe recommend a 1,5TB? I just need a lot of space for my Sample Libraries.
Click to expand...

Get a Western Digital 2tb Studio external drive for your samples.
The FireWire is fast enough for audio. I run Kontakt and Supierior Drummer samples off a WD FireWire without issue.

The 16gb of ram will help out too with samples - in my case Kontakt has a switch that lets me use the ram for samples - basically a 'Ram Drive'.
 
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Girasole said:
I have installed the following components:
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00698WP50
http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Crucial/RealSSD_M4_2,5_SSD_128_GB/860676/?
http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Samsung/HN-M101MBB_1_TB/882706/?
http://hardwrk.com/macbook-ssd-hdd-adapter-kit.html

My MBP runs like a charm! :)
Click to expand...

Nice job! Sorry to bump an old thread but I'm sure many others are looking to squeeze out every last bit of performance from their late 2011 MBP 13".

I'll be doing the same going with 16GB 1333mhz RAM (not sure why the latency has increased over the years to 9-9-9; unless I'm mixed up), a 480/512GB SSD drive as the main one - and keeping the SuperDrive internal for the next few months since I have a 7200RPM LaCie 1TB ThunderBolt external as my media scratch drive (this was poor for TimeMachine backups).
 
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