Upgrade advice needed

[themat]

Hey guys and gals I have a mid-late 2008 penryn MBP 2.4gz, 2gb ddr2 ram, 256mb 8600M GT, 200GB HD.

I wanted a UMBP in November 2008 but couldn't afford one so ended up getting the penryn MBP with the spec listed above for £849 from PC world as it was the last one (which imo was an offer I couldn't refuse).

I use it for University and play a bit of CS/WoW on it from time to time. I just wondered if I wanted to use it as more of a gaming machine how easy would it be to upgrade the HDD / GFX card and if it was actually possible? In a few weeks I'm going to buy 2x 2GB Ram sticks for it, but will it run DDR3 ram or will i have to purchase DDR2?

Thanks alot for any help

 

[.Andy]

HDD no probs at all. Check out ifixit.com. They'll have a step by step guide that won't be bettered. As far as the graphics card you are plum out of luck. They aren't upgradeable .

 

[killianb]

As far as I'm aware, you're stuck with DDR2 as well I think. I don't think you can put DDR3 in to a DDR2 machine. I may be wrong though.

However, it's still not a bad machine at all.

 

[Bill Gates]

As far as I'm aware, you're stuck with DDR2 as well I think. I don't think you can put DDR3 in to a DDR2 machine. I may be wrong though.

However, it's still not a bad machine at all.

You are correct. DDR3 -> DDR3 machine, DDR2 -> DDR2 machine. DDR2 is cheaper at this point so it's not an expensive proposition to max the RAM.

 

[themat]

Ok cool , thanks alot for the help everyone.

 

[clyde2801]

If you have applecare on it, get a 3rd party licensed mac repair shop to install the new hard drive on it.

If you don't have applecare on it, get it!

 

[waywardsage]

If your remotely decent with your hands, and are delicate. The hard drive install is very easy.

DDR2 memory is what you need. I have a n early 2008 MBP and thats what i use. be glad! DDR3 is insanely expensive. Plus, i think the new UMBP's are ugly as sin! No matte screen? less ports? STILL no blu ray? Who cares if it has a "stronger build" Its not like i'm shot-putting my laptop.