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Which RAM stick should I buy?

B

buoptip

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 11, 2008
20
0
Well I've found two 2GB RAM sticks that I like, but I"m not sure which one to buy. The first one comes up as compatible with my macbook in the search but the description only says for macbook pro or imac. But it is cheaper.

And for the second one it says compatible with macbooks but it doesn't show up like that when I search for it.

Also what is the difference between DDR2 and DDR3, can my macbook use DDR3?

My macbooks current RAM is DDR2 so should I just stick with buying the DDR2 2gb memory stick?

I bought my macbook in February after that small update. It is the one with 2.4 GHZ. If this makes a difference in which RAM stick I should buy.

INFO ON THE RAM STICKS:

On Sale for 79.99 dollars
Kingston Technology - 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory for Apple®

Enhance the speed and performance of your Apple® MacBook™ Pro notebook or iMac® desktop with this PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM memory that provides 2GB of additional RAM for improved multitasking, Web surfing and gaming.

Product Features
Compatible with Apple® MacBook™ Pro notebooks; also compatible with iMac® desktops with an Intel® processor
2GB of memory to improve performance
PC2-5300/667MHz operating speed; backward compatible to PC2-4200
200-pin DDR2 dual in-line memory module (DIMM)
Click to expand...

OR

On Sale for 99.99 dollars
Kingston Technology - 2GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SoDIMM Laptop Memory for Apple® MacBook®

What's Included
Kingston Technology 2GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SoDIMM Memory for Apple® MacBook®
Product Features
From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
Compatible with Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops
To upgrade your performance.
2GB total memory
For improved performance.
PC3-8500/1066MHz operating speed
Delivers high-speed graphics and multitasking.
200-pin DDR3 in-line memory module (SoDIMM)
For easy installation.
Click to expand...

Thanks for you help guys :D
 
If you have the Al-Macbook, only the 2nd one will work, as that's the DDR3 variety. If you have a plastic body model, only the first kind will work, as that's DDR2.
 
The first one will work. The second one won't. DDR3 RAM is only used in the Unibody MacBooks/Pros. Also, http://www.crucial.com/ has a handy utility that will tell you which RAM works for your computer (in the future).
 
Ah ok, thank you very much. :). Time to grab some cash and go and buy it :D.
 
you should be able to get 4GB 2x2GB for $70-90

Cheaper
Crucial has Macbook 2GB RAM (last gen for $22)
Just go to crucial and do a memory scan.
 
i've heard that 3rd party ram has had lockups/issues inside of macbooks. i am interested in upgrading my ram from 2gb to 4gb, but am afraid of buying incompatible ram.

has anybody bought a 4gb kit from kingston/crucial/owc/ anything else? which ones have had lockups, and which ones work well?
 
These ones ought to do...

480px-Nerd_Porn-1.jpg


;)
 
chill. said:
i've heard that 3rd party ram has had lockups/issues inside of macbooks. i am interested in upgrading my ram from 2gb to 4gb, but am afraid of buying incompatible ram.

has anybody bought a 4gb kit from kingston/crucial/owc/ anything else? which ones have had lockups, and which ones work well?
Click to expand...


All RAM is 3rd party. Apple doesn't manufracture RAM. They buy from someone else and maybe put an Apple sticker on it or something. As long as the RAM is DDR2 or DDR3 which ever your computer takes it should work.

RAM from any of the major players (corsair, geil, crucial, ozc, etc...) should work fine
 
The only computer that has a major problem with ram is the new MacBooks. The old MacBooks work pretty well with ram just dont be cheap and by a no name ram. Crucial works well and is cheap.
 
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