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RAM for the new MBP

P

physicistjedi

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 21, 2007
27
0
Hello everybody,
I've just ordered the new (Penryn) base model MBP. Yay :D
Now I also want to get a 4GB RAM upgrade, but I am confused. Why the front-side bus is 800MHz but the RAM is 667MHz (PC2-5300)? Would I get a better performance if I buy a 800MHz (PC2-6400) RAM? Or would it be a problem? Also any suggestions for the brand?
Thanks.
pj
 
May be I should get the PC2-6400, after all it is not more expensive. I don't think there will be any incompatibility issue. Right?

pj
 
no it can support either, the speed is 667 because that is what the chipset allows to the memory even though the processor is talking to the chipset at 800
 
Just get what you know works, 5300, why would you pay more for something you can't utilize is beyond me. Grab 4gb of 5300 off newegg for $80.
 
soms said:
Just get what you know works, 5300, why would you pay more for something you can't utilize is beyond me. Grab 4gb of 5300 off newegg for $80.
Click to expand...

Well actually I paid 75$ for 6400 ;) I was told that they did work in the previous MacBook Pros and hoping for a very small performance increase. Learning by the hard way.
 
I had the same problem - PC2 6400 was compatible with the previous revision MBPs but somehow does not work with the Penryn ones. Oh well, exchanged it for some PC2 5300. I know there was no performance difference; the reason I got this was it was cheaper than most 5300, and future-compatible with Montevina's 800mhz ram bus. It's backwards compatible with every other 5300 laptop out there, wonder how Apple broke it.
 
Hi all,
Ordered the new MBP with 2GB RAM... but want to put the maximum in as soon as I get it. Two questions:
- is the maximum I can put in 4GB?
- do I order 4GB (from Crucial or whomever), and then just get rid of the 2 GB that it will come with? Or do I just order another 2GB?
Thanks,
malch
 
My brother is ordering the new baseline MBP, and I think he will want to upgrade to 4GB (he's really likes Oblivion)

Would the 2GB standard memory work in my first-gen Macbook? (I had it upgraded to 1Gb, but it's starting to bother me)
 
malch said:
Hi all,
Ordered the new MBP with 2GB RAM... but want to put the maximum in as soon as I get it. Two questions:
- is the maximum I can put in 4GB?
- do I order 4GB (from Crucial or whomever), and then just get rid of the 2 GB that it will come with? Or do I just order another 2GB?
Thanks,
malch
Click to expand...

the 2GB that comes installed is 2 1GB sticks...you should get 2 2GB sticks (a matched pair)...then I suggest saving the original RAM incase something fails...that way you can put them back in while you are making your changes...Good Luck!
 
Macnoviz said:
My brother is ordering the new baseline MBP, and I think he will want to upgrade to 4GB (he's really likes Oblivion)

Would the 2GB standard memory work in my first-gen Macbook? (I had it upgraded to 1Gb, but it's starting to bother me)
Click to expand...

Yes, all Intel CoreDuo and Core2Duo Macs use the same RAM type.
CoreDuos can only handle 1 Gb modules
Core2Duos can handle 2 Gb modules

MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM

Is there any difference between these two? (Besides the price difference)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134605

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134578
Click to expand...

They appear to be the same product, Kingston ValueRAM KVR667D2S5K2/4G
These are the correct nominal spec, however Kingston does not guarantee compatibility in Macs for this model. The model Kingston recommend for Macs is the KTA-MB667K2/4G
 
Vedhead said:
the 2GB that comes installed is 2 1GB sticks...you should get 2 2GB sticks (a matched pair)...then I suggest saving the original RAM incase something fails...that way you can put them back in while you are making your changes...Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks Vedhead... good advice.
malch
 
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