MBP 2012 - RAM 1333 vs 1600 Performance

[HarmonicaNomad]

Hello,

I've got 2 MBPs, 1 x early 2011 and 1 x mid-2012, both 13" i5.

I just bought the MBP 2012 and want to upgrade to 16GB RAM but can't find any 1600mhz here in Thailand. I can order from a different country but the custom taxes can be brutal, especially if I'm unlucky and they decide to slap a "special" fee on it. Not always the most honest custom officers here...

I have 16GB @ 1333mhz in the 2011. Works great. I read that I could use 1333mhz in the 2012 but there is not much information as to how much performance would be lost.

Also, I wouldn't mind confirmation that this is a safe solution.

Thanks,

 

[AppleMacFinder]

Hello,

I've got 2 MBPs, 1 x early 2011 and 1 x mid-2012, both 13" i5.

I just bought the MBP 2012 and want to upgrade to 16GB RAM but can't find any 1600mhz here in Thailand. I can order from a different country but the custom taxes can be brutal, especially if I'm unlucky and they decide to slap a "special" fee on it. Not always the most honest custom officers here...

I have 16GB @ 1333mhz in the 2011. Works great. I read that I could use 1333mhz in the 2012 but there is not much information as to how much performance would be lost.

Also, I wouldn't mind confirmation that this is a safe solution.

Thanks,

Please check this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1472319/

 

[HarmonicaNomad]

The MBP 13" - 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 2012 definitely support 1600MHz. It's actually the standard RAM.

Can I "downgrade" from 1600MHz to 1333MHz? Is it supported?

How much performance would be loss? Would the difference be noticeable? Would it be 5%-10% slower than the 1600MHz? More?

 

[HarmonicaNomad]

Well, I installed the 1333MHz and all works fine.

I do not see any noticeable speed difference but maybe a benchmark test would.

I'll still get the 1600MHz when I can easily get access to it so both my MBP are at 16GB. LOVES the boost that that much RAM gives!