The Macbook does not yet have SR
I didn't say it did
Was a general query about the 2 processors.
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my macbook is recognizing 4GB of RAM!!?!?
- Thread starter jackiecanev2
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I didn't say it did
Was a general query about the 2 processors.
This is really interesting that the OP is seeing 4GB in Activity monitor. Kinda cool actually, but definately not what Apple expected...
This link is even better:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303721
So not only did he get around the 3.3GB barrier, he can also see more than 2 GB (I'm sure this has been done before on the MB). Anyone think that the integrated graphics somehow uses the extra memory in the system?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303721
So not only did he get around the 3.3GB barrier, he can also see more than 2 GB (I'm sure this has been done before on the MB). Anyone think that the integrated graphics somehow uses the extra memory in the system?
I think that document is referring to the original Core Duo MacBook, not the Core 2 Duo, which can definately address 3.3GB.
Also ...I think he is a she.
Rich.
ok. so i opened up every program on this thing, and played back some high-def video clips and done some converting, all at the same time, and the most ive seen it it bump up to is 3.6GB but only quickly. i tried to take a screenshot but it never stays there for more than a second or two (or just long enough for me to get the keystroke in and then drops back down... grrr).
anyone think its indicative of anything or ?? as far as i've read (and i've been scouring everything i can think of) it shouldnt say 4.0GB in the activity monitor, even if it reads in the profiler. also, when it changes, it is the wired that usually fluctuates, along with the total used. The Virtual has gotten as far as 15GB or so.
anyone think its indicative of anything or ?? as far as i've read (and i've been scouring everything i can think of) it shouldnt say 4.0GB in the activity monitor, even if it reads in the profiler. also, when it changes, it is the wired that usually fluctuates, along with the total used. The Virtual has gotten as far as 15GB or so.
This is exciting. There is a side of me that wants this to not be true because I just bought a 2GB ram upgrade 2 weeks ago for my MB, and I would have much rather gone with 4GB.
But let's see how this develops, and how stable it is under heavy usage.
But let's see how this develops, and how stable it is under heavy usage.
ok. so i opened up every program on this thing, and played back some high-def video clips and done some converting, all at the same time, and the most ive seen it it bump up to is 3.6GB but only quickly. i tried to take a screenshot but it never stays there for more than a second or two (or just long enough for me to get the keystroke in and then drops back down... grrr).
anyone think its indicative of anything or ?? as far as i've read (and i've been scouring everything i can think of) it shouldnt say 4.0GB in the activity monitor, even if it reads in the profiler. also, when it changes, it is the wired that usually fluctuates, along with the total used. The Virtual has gotten as far as 15GB or so.
Easiest way to do this, is to install parallels and dedicate 3GB to it and the remaining 1GB to OS X that'll definately push it and give you your answer
ok. we all get it. activity monitor is supposed to only recognize 3.3gb.
but in this case (see screens) it's not. it's recognizing 4GB. which is the whole point of why the thread is exciting. so before anyone says "yea, it should only use 3.3GB", stop yourself, read the 4-5 posts saying the same thing you're about to say, then refrain.
@ the OP. you rock. please try out the parallels trick. if you really did just trick your machine into using 2x2GB memory or just found the ram to make it happen, then you just made around 30 MR users sooooooo happpy
but in this case (see screens) it's not. it's recognizing 4GB.
which is the whole point of why the thread is exciting. so before anyone says "yea, it should only use 3.3GB", stop yourself, read the 4-5 posts saying the same thing you're about to say, then refrain.@ the OP. you rock. please try out the parallels trick. if you really did just trick your machine into using 2x2GB memory or just found the ram to make it happen, then you just made around 30 MR users sooooooo happpy
The (G)MCH provides a maximum DRAM address decode space of 4 GB. The (G)MCH does not remap APIC or PCI Express memory space. This means that as the amount of physical memory populated in the system reaches 4 GB, there will be physical memory that exists yet is non-addressable and therefore unusable by the system.
That passage is from page 323 of the Mobile Intel 945 Datasheet. In a nutshell, the MacBook's chipset can recognize that 4GB of physical memory is installed, but the OS will not be able to utilize all of it.
By way of contrast, page 28 of the Mobile Intel 965 Datasheet indicates that the chipset in the new MacBook Pro has a maximum DRAM address decode space of 8GB. That bumps the APIC and PCI Express mapping high enough that a full 4GB can be used by the OS.
That passage is from page 323 of the Mobile Intel 945 Datasheet. In a nutshell, the MacBook's chipset can recognize that 4GB of physical memory is installed, but the OS will not be able to utilize all of it.
By way of contrast, page 28 of the Mobile Intel 965 Datasheet indicates that the chipset in the new MacBook Pro has a maximum DRAM address decode space of 8GB. That bumps the APIC and PCI Express mapping high enough that a full 4GB can be used by the OS.
it means that we need to see a test of it in action. when the OP gets back and can try to address all of the space, we will have a definitive "yes" or "no"
That's exactly what it means. Part of the 4GB address space is reserved for APIC and PCI Express memory mapping. That portion of the underlying RAM cannot be addressed by the OS.
Sorry to disappoint.
To the OP- thanks for your information; let's keep this thread going until you can do the parallels test. Others have given us information that suggests that recognizing memory and utilizing memory are two different things, and are dictated by the chipset. But I would like to see a real world test if you have time.
eek
eek
ok. we all get it. activity monitor is supposed to only recognize 3.3gb.
but in this case (see screens) it's not. it's recognizing 4GB.
@ the OP. you rock. please try out the parallels trick. if you really did just trick your machine into using 2x2GB memory or just found the ram to make it happen, then you just made around 30 MR users sooooooo happpy
This is certainly interesting. I think the best way to find out for sure whether the full 4 GB is usable is to download and run memtest in single-user mode. The MacRumors guide for testing memory shows all of the steps you need to take to do this. That should tell you right away how much memory it was actually able to allocate.
Memtest does currently have a $1.39 download fee, but it's well worth it -- not just for the edification of everyone else hereD) but for the original poster's peace of mind, ensuring that the memory you installed is good quality. But if you don't feel like paying the fee, I have the older 4.13 version I can send (it's licensed under the GNU GPL, so it's still free to redistribute).
[EDIT] I see now that Rember also comes with memtest version 4.13, same as my copy. You could download that, then follow these steps:
I really do think this is the best way to test this. Any application test such as the suggested Parallels test may give inconclusive results since OS X's VM subsystem will automatically swap out any allocated memory to disk as it needs to, but this fact may or may not be obvious in Activity Monitor.
Memtest does currently have a $1.39 download fee, but it's well worth it -- not just for the edification of everyone else here
D) but for the original poster's peace of mind, ensuring that the memory you installed is good quality. But if you don't feel like paying the fee, I have the older 4.13 version I can send (it's licensed under the GNU GPL, so it's still free to redistribute).[EDIT] I see now that Rember also comes with memtest version 4.13, same as my copy. You could download that, then follow these steps:
- Right-click the Rember application and select Show Package Contents
- Navigate to Contents -> Resources
- Copy the file memtest to the top level of your hard drive (Option-drag to copy and not move)
- Reboot and hold down Cmd-S as the computer starts back up
- When you get the # prompt, just type ./memtest
- Right away it will tell you how much memory it was able to allocate. This should answer the questions here. If you want, wait for the entire test to finish (could be several minutes or more) so you know that your memory is good. Or if impatient, hit Ctrl-C to stop it. When done, type reboot at the # prompt and your Mac will restart normally.
I really do think this is the best way to test this. Any application test such as the suggested Parallels test may give inconclusive results since OS X's VM subsystem will automatically swap out any allocated memory to disk as it needs to, but this fact may or may not be obvious in Activity Monitor.
Thanks Bankshot. I just hope the OP has time for this- it does take some time for all of this stuff and the hours just seem to disappear.
I am eager to see results about this for two reasons: in addition to technical curiosity, I was about to buy more memory for a total of 3 gb, but now I was thinking of scrapping my current config (two 1 gig sticks) and going with two 2 gig sticks.
I am eager to see results about this for two reasons: in addition to technical curiosity, I was about to buy more memory for a total of 3 gb, but now I was thinking of scrapping my current config (two 1 gig sticks) and going with two 2 gig sticks.
This is certainly interesting. I think the best way to find out for sure whether the full 4 GB is usable is to download and run memtest in single-user mode. The MacRumors guide for testing memory shows all of the steps you need to take to do this. That should tell you right away how much memory it was actually able to allocate.
Memtest does currently have a $1.39 download fee, but it's well worth it -- not just for the edification of everyone else here
[EDIT] I see now that Rember also comes with memtest version 4.13, same as my copy. You could download that, then follow these steps:
- Right-click the Rember application and select Show Package Contents
- Navigate to Contents -> Resources
- Copy the file memtest to the top level of your hard drive (Option-drag to copy and not move)
- Reboot and hold down Cmd-S as the computer starts back up
- When you get the # prompt, just type ./memtest
- Right away it will tell you how much memory it was able to allocate. This should answer the questions here. If you want, wait for the entire test to finish (could be several minutes or more) so you know that your memory is good. Or if impatient, hit Ctrl-C to stop it.
I really do think this is the best way to test this. Any application test such as the suggested Parallels test may give inconclusive results since OS X's VM subsystem will automatically swap out any allocated memory to disk as it needs to, but this fact may or may not be obvious in Activity Monitor.
just got in. i'll try to get the memtest up and running in a bit, and i'll let everyone know how it goes.
ok, i tried running the memtest several times, but i get some serious shutdowns and kernel panics.
ok, i tried running the memtest several times, but i get some serious shutdowns and kernel panics.
Not a good sign. Maybe a confusion on the memory controller on whether to recognise and allocate 4GB or just 3.3GB.
Try the parallels test.....IF you can and want to