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camelia

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 3, 2015
718
123
Mexico City
Hi

My computer is a MBP 13" Mid 2012 Intel Core i5 2.5 GHZ 4 GB Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB
What memory do I have to buy?
Can I install 2 modules of 8gb each one?
Please suggest me a brand

Thanks
Came
 
Yes. You can install two 8GB modules of 204-pin PC3-12800 (1600 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM. Any reputable vendor's web site will ask you to specify your machine and then suggest the right pieces.

Right now, OWC (macsales.com) quotes $165 for two 8GB pieces.
Crucial (crucial.com) quotes $152 for two 8GB pieces
Memory X (memoryx.com) quotes $132 for two 8GB pieces.

All three are reputable in my opinion.
 
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For power consumption and heat purposes, DDR3L is what I'd recommend instead.
Fairly certain the memory controller supports the lower voltage. And if not the modules will still run, and be binned better so still produce less heat.
Last time I bought RAM I got them from Amazon. Cheapest place I found at the time. I bought Computer Bay. Not exactly a well known brand or anything but RAM isn't the highest complexity part, and especially with older technologies like we're dealing with here, it's pretty much perfected from all vendors.
 
For power consumption and heat purposes, DDR3L is what I'd recommend instead.
Fairly certain the memory controller supports the lower voltage. And if not the modules will still run, and be binned better so still produce less heat.
Last time I bought RAM I got them from Amazon. Cheapest place I found at the time. I bought Computer Bay. Not exactly a well known brand or anything but RAM isn't the highest complexity part, and especially with older technologies like we're dealing with here, it's pretty much perfected from all vendors.

DDR3L?
 


It's just a lower voltage version. In terms of voltage used, DDR uses more than DDR3L that uses more than LPDDR3. Not all Intel chips support all voltages though. DDR3L chips work both with DDR3 and DDR3L voltages though, but to run with the lower voltages of DDR3L, they're usually better chips that don't need as much juice, and therefore also run cooler. If I remember correctly, DDR3 is 1.5V and DDR3L is 1.35V
 
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It's just a lower voltage version. In terms of voltage used, DDR uses more than DDR3L that uses more than LPDDR3. Not all Intel chips support all voltages though. DDR3L chips work both with DDR3 and DDR3L voltages though, but to run with the lower voltages of DDR3L, they're usually better chips that don't need as much juice, and therefore also run cooler. If I remember correctly, DDR3 is 1.5V and DDR3L is 1.35V

DDR3L:
I can not find them at amazon can you please help me find them?

Thanks
Came
 
I was just quoting Apple's specifications.


Sure :). It's also not like you said anything wrong. All the specs you listed are what you'd need to look for, but a DDR3L module would consume less power and generate less heat, albeit a small difference, so I just added to your list :)
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I can not find them at amazon can you please help me find them?


Just the first ones I found
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-DD...s=ddr3L+pc3-12800+1600mhz+204-pin+sodimm&th=1
 
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