MBP 15" Questions

[melmo]

I wouldn't take those Intel Ark pages as gospel. Just a month or two ago they stated that the 2820qm and 2720qm only supported 8GB of ram.

And as was previously posted, there are reports of folks using 16GB in the 13" MBP. And OWC states compatibility and they actually test these configurations out.

Intel Core i7-2820QM 2.3Ghz supports 16GB and 1600Mhz.


Intel Core i7-2720QM 2.2Ghz supports 16GB and 1600Mhz.


Intel Core i7-2630QM 2.0Ghz does not support 16GB and 1600Mhz.


Intel Core i7-2620M 2.7Ghz does not support 16GB and 1600Mhz.


Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3Ghz does not support 16GB and 1600Mhz.


By "support" I mean that the processor can take full advantage of the 16GB. You can stick 16GB RAM into a 13" MBP but they'll only be able to use 8GB of it, since that's the maximum amount that the CPU supports.

Therefore, only the high-end 15" and the 17" are able to fully utilize that monstrous amount of RAM.

 

[derickdub]

I strongly suggest going with the 2.2GHz model. With student discount (which you should take advantage of) it is only a $300 increase. If that is too much than just do the RAM upgrade yourself, you will save $150 or so that way.

You aren't just getting a GPU and CPU upgrade, you're getting a HDD upgrade as well. So for $300, a 10% faster CPU, 4x graphic memory, ability to use higher frequency/increased RAM, and a better HDD (or ability to upgrade to SSD for a dirt cheap $90) is WELL worth it.

If you insist on not doing the upgrades yourself and really don't think you need the increased specs, then fine. But you will be paying just as much for a 2.0GHz model with 128GB SSD and 8GB Ram upgrade done by Apple.

-Base Model

2.0GHz $1700
8GB Ram $180
128GB SSD $180
Hi-Res AG $135
-------------------
Total $2195


-High-end Model

2.2GHz $2000
8GB RAM $60 (Done yourself)
128GB SSD $90
Hi-Res AG $135
Sell 4GB RAM -$20 (I got $30 for mine by installing it for the person buying it)
--------------------
Total $2265

Just by doing that RAM upgrade yourself you can save a lot of money.

 

[goferit]

16gb (2x8) 1600mhz in Core i7 (I7-2860QM) possible?
yup? (even 32gb?)

sticks exist? link to purchase? lots of discussion but haven't seen it
purported to exist here:

and here ("Considering that the 2.3Ghz with 16GB 1600Mhz RAM got a 11623 on Geekbench")

i know about this huge thread

seen this 8gb (2x4) 1600mhz

and this 16gb (2x8) 1333mhz

and scores of others, but no 16gb (2x8) 1600mhz

if they're not around, would you go for 16gb or 1600mhz??

sorry if it's been answered but i've been looking for like 2 hours!! registered just to ask!