Model A1398 (EMC 2909) MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" Mid-2015 Upgrade Options

[Yahya Al]

This post is for you if you're an expert and can help resolve this issue, a guy looking to buy or upgrade a mid 2015 Macbook pro 15-inch Retina Model A1398. Please stick to the topic and provide us with great insight. Thanks!

MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" Mid-2015 (IG) 2.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-4770HQ)

Situation: (Please read for background info & Main Qs)
Getting too much full storage warnings and want to upgrade my current memory. I'm also interested in upgrding my 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM. Searched around and found that the CPU and the integrated Iris Pro graphics cards can't be upgraded. Since U'm not in a hurry to replace the battery, I would love teplace the memory and re RAM. Here are my specific concerns

1) Can I install DDR4/DDR5 sticks? Can I use a higher frequency (i.e. 3000 MHz)? Can I use G.SKILL / Corsair ? etc, or a specific brand / size? What is the #1 performance product (regardless of price) &What is the #1 value for money in your personal opinion?

2) Is this ssd replaceable by something like the Samsung 960 EVO m.2 1tb PCIe? (example: Samsung evo 1tb & $300 VS. OWC 1tb @ $600!!!) What are the restrictions? What is the #1 performance product (regardless of price) & What is the #1 value for money in your personal opinion?

3) How often do you guys replace the batteries, or at what stats, and what method do you use oto analyze your battery's performance? What are you options (factory vs off-market; with examples and prices if possible)? SSD Size performance in regards to battery?


Current performance / Stats while at least 20 apps running (Without Games running, but dozens of open chrome tabs and Ms Office + other random apps):

With memory, I can easily hit 13 without gaming or virtualization. Would go down to about 8-10 after a restart. Any thoughts on (managing startup services / disabling startup services?)

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SPECS:
Intro. May 19, 2015 Disc. July 12, 2018*
Order MJLQ2LL/A Model A1398 (EMC 2909)
Family Retina Mid-2015 15" ID MacBookPro11,4
RAM 16 GB VRAM 1.5 GB*
Storage 256 GB SSD Optical None*




Memory
ECC: Disabled
Upgradeable Memory: No
BANK 0/DIMM0:
Size: 8 GB
Type: DDR3

Speed: 1600 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0x80AD
Part Number: 0x484D54343147533641465238412D50422020
Serial Number: - (missing)
BANK 1/DIMM0:
Size: 8 GB
Type: DDR3
Speed: 1600 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0x80AD
Part Number: 0x484D54343147533641465238412D50422020
Serial Number: - (missing)

Disk:

Vendor: Apple
Product: SSD Controller
Physical Interconnect: PCI
Link Width: x2
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Description: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported
APPLE SSD SM0256F:
Capacity: 251 GB (251,000,193,024 bytes)
Model: APPLE SSD SM0256F
Revision: UXM2JA1Q
Serial Number: S1K4NYBF874792
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Medium Type: Solid State
TRIM Support: Yes
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

EFI:
Capacity: 209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
File System: MS-DOS FAT32
BSD Name: disk0s1
Content: EFI
Volume UUID: 0E239BC6-F960-3107-89CF-1C97F78BB46B

disk0s2:
Capacity: 250.79 GB (250,790,436,864 bytes)
BSD Name: disk0s2
Content: Apple_APFS

 

[Audit13]

1) Ram cannot be upgraded.

2) You can use a third-party NVME drives but they have their own issues to deal with: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/

 

[Yahya Al]

1) Ram cannot be upgraded.

2) You can use a third-party NVME drives but they have their own issues to deal with: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/

RAM cannot be upgraded in terms of size from 16 to 32 or even frequency to lets say a 3000 MHz?

 

[Audit13]

RAM cannot be upgraded in terms of size from 16 to 32 or even frequency to lets say a 3000 MHz?

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my reply. The ram in all retina Macbooks and MacBook Air is soldered onto the logic board during the manufacturing process; therefore, ram cannot be added or removed.

 

[Yahya Al]

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my reply. The ram in all retina Macbooks and MacBook Air is soldered onto the logic board during the manufacturing process; therefore, ram cannot be added or removed.

Thanks for the clarification. Would you happen to know more about the SSD upgrade?

 

[Audit13]

Thanks for the clarification. Would you happen to know more about the SSD upgrade?

I included a link in my previous post.

Here's a summary of my thoughts and experience with using an Intel 600p in an early 2015 13" Air:

1) backup up all data using Time Machine and Carbon Copy Cloner;
2) update to the latest Mojave Beta because the Mojave Beta includes a bootrom update beyond the update provided by installing the latest High Sierra release;
3) create a High Sierra USB installer;
4) use the appropriate Sintech adapter and an Intel 760p or Adata sx8200 to minimize heat and battery drain;
5) replace original SSD with nvme drive;
6) restore the OS from Time Machine or CCC. You may have to use the High Sierra installer to partition and format the drive before restoring the OS.