Should I max out at 16GB of RAM in my MacBook Pro?

[dontwalkhand]

I love messing around in VMWare and Parallels, and I also love playing around in other OSes in VMs such as the new developer preview in Windows 8. I also refuse to leave the Mac OS platform while doing so (it is nice to be able to three finger swipe between OSes).

Should I max out at 16GB of RAM for my MBP? Where do you guys recommend I buy this RAM from? I know that Crucial has a 16GB kit for my MBP for $120.

 

[squeakr]

That is up to you. If you find that your current set up is paging out lots during your normal activities, then yes you should. If your current usage patterns don't cause that to happen and you have free memory being reported, then No save your money. I work support and routinely have 3 VM images open (and networked between them to recreate issues customer are seeing) and OSX with Safari, FirFox, Mail, iCal, and other apps in use and for me it was a necessity as my page out were in the GBs of memory. Has made all of the difference, but I am not the normal everyday user.

It is all a matter of opinion and price. Currently I think only Corsair, Crucial, Patriot, and OWC are offering kits that large, but all have good results (although OWC is the priciest).

 

[rocknblogger]

Isn't the max memory 8GB's on MBP's?

 

[NutsNGum]

Isn't the max memory 8GB's on MBP's?

Nope! At least not current Sandy Bridge models.

 

[sweetbrat]

I don't see a point to having 16GB just to say you have it. Yes, it's coming down in price, but unless it's actually going to help the performance of your MBP, there's probably something better you could spend that money on. Look at your activity monitor and see if adding more RAM will actually do some good, then decide if you need it.

 

[rocknblogger]

Nope! At least not current Sandy Bridge models.

I checked on Apple's website and even on 17" MBP's it says 8GB's.

So what am I missing?

 

[dontwalkhand]

I checked on Apple's website and even on 17" MBP's it says 8GB's.

So what am I missing?

MacTracker app says otherwise Apple doesn't sell more than 8GB, but the logic board will support accepting up to 16GB.

 

[BreakGuy]

I checked on Apple's website and even on 17" MBP's it says 8GB's.

So what am I missing?

I concur. I checked myself and found no evidence to support a 16GB RAM upgrade.

 

[GGJstudios]

I checked on Apple's website and even on 17" MBP's it says 8GB's.

So what am I missing?

You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By using Mactracker
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model. (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac or MacTracker to verify.)

 

[Orlandoech]

Wow seriously guys? The SandyBridge MBPs can support 16GB ram and even 1600MHZ ram even though apple doesnt state this.

I'm running 8GB 1600MHz ram, but will be upgrading soon to 16GB as well. I do believe only the Quad-Core CPUs can support 1600MHz ram though, or maybe its just QC i7s. Cant recall.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lue=3091:193110&PropertyCodeValue=3091:193111

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I know that Crucial has a 16GB kit for my MBP for $120.

Uh.... where?

 

[rocknblogger]

You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By using Mactracker
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model. (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac or MacTracker to verify.)

Thanks that helps.

 

[billli]

MFW I found out that my MBP can support up to 16GB of memory.

I wonder if the OS/Application will be able to see the additional memory without any hacks.

 

[GGJstudios]

MFW I found out that my MBP can support up to 16GB of memory.

I wonder if the OS/Application will be able to see the additional memory without any hacks.

Of course.

 

[billli]

Hmm... Well I do have a pair of 4GB sticks (but 1033mhz) that I can use in the meantime until the price of 16GB 1600mhz ram comes down in price.

 

[NutsNGum]

If anyone's in the States, this seems like a pretty decent option for those after 16GB.

$199.99 16GB RAM Newegg

$169.99 after rebate. Insanely good price.

 

[shortcut3d]

So far 1600MHz has been stable in all the Sandybridge 2011 Macs. 1866 is listed as PnP for Sandybridge i5 and i7. I can confirm it works in the Sandybridge i7. I do not have an i5 to test with.

 

[SurferMan]

MFW I found out that my MBP can support up to 16GB of memory.

I wonder if the OS/Application will be able to see the additional memory without any hacks.

On your 09' Pro???? I always thought before Sandy Bridge you were capped at 8 GB?

 

[Orlandoech]

If anyone's in the States, this seems like a pretty decent option for those after 16GB.

$199.99 16GB RAM Newegg

$169.99 after rebate. Insanely good price.

Indeed, Im waiting for it to hit $150 or less.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Been running 16gbs for about 2 months . Early 2011

 

[thundersteele]

Indeed, Im waiting for it to hit $150 or less.

Amazon has some for 144... however it's an unknown brand, at least to me:

http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-P...WP50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323983221&sr=8-1

 

[Orlandoech]

Amazon has some for 144... however it's an unknown brand, at least to me:

http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-P...WP50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323983221&sr=8-1

Yea its Komputerbay whatever the f#$% that is.

 

[GGJstudios]

Yea its Komputerbay whatever the f#$% that is.

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=97450.0

Komputerbay is a seller, not a memory manufacturer. They sell through other companies such as Amazon. Go to that Amazon page and click on "About this seller".

 

[JamesGorman]

Wow seriously guys? The SandyBridge MBPs can support 16GB ram and even 1600MHZ ram even though apple doesnt state this.

I'm running 8GB 1600MHz ram, but will be upgrading soon to 16GB as well. I do believe only the Quad-Core CPUs can support 1600MHz ram though, or maybe its just QC i7s. Cant recall.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lue=3091:193110&PropertyCodeValue=3091:193111

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Uh.... where?

The late 2011 2.2GHZ will only run 1333mhz ram, but will still accept 16GB.

 

[xijote7]

Memory

The late 2011 2.2GHZ will only run 1333mhz ram, but will still accept 16GB.

I will do it without asking! I did it and my MBP works better with all the crap I have on it. www.omc.com is the site I got it from; very good service. they specialized on OSX.

 

[thundersteele]

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=97450.0

Ok, thanks. The memory brand is still unknown, in the sense that I don't know what memory brand I will get... or would it be more appropriate to call this OEM or no-brand memory?