Upgrade Ram on Late 2008 Macbook Pro

[MacJohnson]

I have a late 2008 Macbook pro and want to upgrade my ram to 6gb, first off can i do it and will it support it? Also what 4gb ram should I buy if it will support it. Thank you

 

[yusukeaoki]

Yes, its up to 6GB 1066MHz.
I recommend crucial RAM

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

The model you have is actually compatible with 8GB of RAM with a firmware update that Apple released without much fanfare.

I know because I have the exact model you have and I've been running 8GB of Crucial RAM for about 3 months. Absolutely worth it.

I think I paid £80 for the kit.

EDIT: Here's my thread from March when this was discovered

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1110016/

 

[nicklad]

Definitely go for 8GB, you want to ensure you keep it running in dual channel if you can.

 

[paulisme]

RAM is currently extremely cheap. I just upgraded my late 2008 MBP to 8GB with a pair of Crucial sticks and it only cost me $44 on Amazon.

 

[ooans]

I too have a late 2008 MBP. For a long time i've considered updating the ram to 8GB - especially since it's now so cheap. However I haven't really found a reason to do it. I don't think a RAM update would make my OSX that much faster. I run video editing software at times, but they run fine already. I use loads of virtual instruments on Logic Pro, but most of them are only 32-bit, so updating my RAM wouldn't help 'em.

Instead I updated my HD to a SSD (with the hd in optibay(the cheaper one).)

Now this has made a huge difference. Sure it cost more, but the gain is also much bigger compared to having more ram.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[tivoboy]

Where

Where is the site that will let me confirm which sticks one needs? I have a 2008 mbp 15", pre-unibody, but most sites won't actually confirm if 6 or 8GB is possible.

 

[Naimfan]

Where is the site that will let me confirm which sticks one needs? I have a 2008 mbp 15", pre-unibody, but most sites won't actually confirm if 6 or 8GB is possible.

A pre-unibody will support 6 GB of RAM but not 8. You need 1 x 4 GB stick and 1 x 2 GB stick of DDR2 667 MHz RAM.

 

[spencers]

Dayum! Didn't know my Late '08 MBP would go to 8GB. Sweet!

 

[snaky69]

A pre-unibody will support 6 GB of RAM but not 8. You need 1 x 4 GB stick and 1 x 2 GB stick of DDR2 667 MHz RAM.

Exactly.

 

[tivoboy]

hard to find

Man, finding a 1x4GB single ddr2 pc 5300 possibly 667 memory stick is proving hard to find. Can one use higher rated RAM, or would that not jibe well with the current 2GB sticks in the unit?

 

[snaky69]

Man, finding a 1x4GB single ddr2 pc 5300 possibly 667 memory stick is proving hard to find. Can one use higher rated RAM, or would that not jibe well with the current 2GB sticks in the unit?

There are two or three models available on newegg.com.

 

[tivoboy]

thanks

thanks snaky69, but that is some serious expensive RAM. 75-80$ a stick for 4GB, is about 2x what other current RAM sells for. Ouch.

 

[Naimfan]

thanks snaky69, but that is some serious expensive RAM. 75-80$ a stick for 4GB, is about 2x what other current RAM sells for. Ouch.

Yep, that's what it costs.

[EDIT] I just looked on Newegg and they have a 4 GB stick of Patriot RAM for $54.99 with free shipping--that might be worth it.

DDR3 RAM will NOT work, as it is 204 pin vs. 200 pin. Might be a good time to sell yours and move to a unibody . . .