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Upgrading MacBook RAM to 8 GB

gskidmark

gskidmark

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 31, 2009
15
0
NJ
I realize that Apple says that the MacBook (Late 2008 \ MacBook 5,1) will only recognize 4 GB or RAM but there are plenty of forums and YouTube videos that show that it will take 8 GB.

I bought the 8 GB pack from Crucial, installed it today but the MacBook will not start with it installed. I took out one and tried to start up but to no avail.

I did zap the PRAM.
 
gskidmark said:
I realize that Apple says that the MacBook (Late 2008 \ MacBook 5,1) will only recognize 4 GB or RAM but there are plenty of forums and YouTube videos that show that it will take 8 GB.

I bought the 8 GB pack from Crucial, installed it today but the MacBook will not start with it installed. I took out one and tried to start up but to no avail.

I did zap the PRAM.
Click to expand...
MacBook Pro (Late 2008/Unibody, MB470LL/A, MacBookPro5,1, A1286, 2255)
*Apple officially supports a maximum of 4 GB of RAM. Originally, this model was only unofficially capable of stably supporting 6 GB of RAM, but as confirmed by site sponsor OWC, it is capable of supporting 8 GB of RAM if updated to Boot ROM Version MBP51.007E.B05 and running MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard."
Click to expand...
You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:
 
My machine definitely fits the bill for the 8 GB upgrade. I'm wondering if I got the right RAM.

This is the Crucial description:
2-4GB 204-PIN SODIMM 512Mx64 DDR3 PC3-8500 CL7

That seems like the right part.
 
Generic DDR3 RAM or one of the Apple kits? My colleague at work used the one for the 2009 Mac mini in his as it's essentially the same hardware and officially supported 8GB.
 
I tried reinstalling it again but with the same results. I am returning it to Crucial. I may buy it from OWC and try again. They seem to support the premise that this MacBook can indeed use 8 GB and will give you support to try to make it work for you.
 
Best Buy sells a PNY 'Mac-compatible' 8GB kit - 1333MHz for $41, that's what I used in my 5,1
 
Hi, I have the same Macbook model (5,1 late 2008), currently at 4GB.

I have a question. Is the reason that Apple officially supports only 4GB on this model the fact that it was running Mac OS X Leopard in 32-bit (by default) when released? Or is it more a hardware issue?
 
eldudorinio said:
Hi, I have the same Macbook model (5,1 late 2008), currently at 4GB.

I have a question. Is the reason that Apple officially supports only 4GB on this model the fact that it was running Mac OS X Leopard in 32-bit (by default) when released? Or is it more a hardware issue?
Click to expand...
No, Leopard can support more than 4GB of RAM. It's not clear why Apple historically understates maximum RAM.
 
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