New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

RAM question

post #1 of 16
5/17/06 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Let's say I get a macbook or MBP with 512MB DDR2 memory. Now, I understand that combining DDR2 modules increases memory performance....

I know that if I get a second 512MB stick from say newegg, it will run in symmetry with the one apple installed and get the benefits of DDR2. My question is, what if I get a 1GB stick, making a total of 1.5GB system memory? Would half of this (512MB) work with the other 512MB DDR2 stick, and the other 512MB be "on its own"? Or would it offer no dual channel advantages at all because it's an assymetric addition?

Thanks in advance...
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 16
5/17/06 at 9:09pm
From what I understand it should work in tandem with half of the 1 gig stick, but I'm not entirely sure.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 16
5/18/06 at 12:31am
I always thought it was best to use identical chips from the same manufacture if possible.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 16
5/18/06 at 1:49am
The MacBook comes with 2 256mb sticks not a single 512mb stick. Also I don’t know that Apple actually uses a dual channel configuration. I have read they (Apple) recommend using matched sticks, even though the base model of the MBP has a single stick of 512mb.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 16
5/19/06 at 1:43am
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 16
5/19/06 at 5:53am
The tech specs on the Apple website specify DDR 2 RAM.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 16
5/19/06 at 5:24pm
I'd like to echo the 2GB price gap. Why in the world does Apple want 500USD over the 512MB price?! A single 1GB DDR2-667 stick costs $100 on the street! http://castle.pricewatch.com/s/searc...667+sodimm+1gb

Can anyone chime in on the manufacturer of the sticks used by Apple?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 16
5/19/06 at 5:50pm
In the past, Apple has used Samsung. Not sure about their current supplier. While matched RAM is a good idea, it's not critical, and adding a 1GB stick to the stock config to give 1.25GB is a good way to step up the RAM and you shouldn't suffer a performance hit. You can always add another stick down the road if you need it.

Apple is notorious for their 1GB RAM prices...I could almost understand it a couple of years ago when there were lots of QA problems with 1GB modules in Macs, but that problem seems to be in the past. No doubt, the best option is to buy stock RAM - run the computer for a few days with it to make sure there are no other issues, than upgrade on your own. Yes, you've wasted the cost of the stock RAM, but it's a good idea to store it and put it back in if you ever have to send it for warranty.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 16
5/19/06 at 6:11pm
Thanks shazza, very informative. I've been ogling the Macbook and its very interesting to see what Apple is doing with the pricing. The stock low-end model is a bargain, but you have to sell a kidney if you want anything else. Even the 60GB->80GB upgrade is overpriced.

I still use my Sager 5680 at home (proper screen real estate) but a Macbook is certainly attractive as a truly mobile machine.

Mikhail
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 16
5/19/06 at 7:07pm
It's not just Apple. Dell and other vendors are outrageous when it comes to buying extra memory.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 16
5/20/06 at 6:57pm
I am considering getting a Macbook, which would be the first Mac I have ever bought. My question: Is ram pretty universal between all laptops? I have 2gb of ram from an Asus z71v. Would that fit a Macbook?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 16
5/20/06 at 7:00pm
Yes, it is standard DDR2 667MHz (PC5300) SODIMM. As discussed above, you should probably just get the 512MB RAM stock and upgrade yourself later.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 16
5/21/06 at 5:39am
i'm curious. is 2g of ram overkill? or does it really speed things up? i'm deciding whether to get 1g of mem or 2.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 16
5/21/06 at 5:55am
It depends on what you do.

1 gig is fine for pretty much everything and OS X doesn't really show too much of a speed up after 1 gig, however, if you use programmes that like a lot of RAM, such as Photoshop—or if you use a lot of software that will be running in Rosetta and will all be open at the same time—2 gigs will be very helpful.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 16
5/21/06 at 7:10am
kakaze, thanks for answering both of my question.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 16
5/21/06 at 3:16pm
Welcome
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Apple Notebooks