Best memory and storage for old MacBook Pro?

[thickofit]

Hi all,

I’ve been given an old MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012 - 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5) and a box of extras - memory and storage mostly. It looks like there is some decent stuff here. Are there any aficionados that could tell me what I should install and what I should sell? (I'll mainly be using the laptop to record/produce music in Logic Pro X.)

RAM
4GB (2x2GB) Hynix DDR3L 1600MHz
8GB (2x4GB) Crucial DDR3L 1600MHz
16GB (2x8GB) Crucial DDR3L 1600MHz
16GB (2x8GB) HyperX Impact Black DDR3L 1866MHz

Hard drive/SSD
Hitachi 1TB SATA 2.5 Hard Drive 5400RPM
Crucial MX200 SSD 1TB
Crucial MX500 SSD 250GB

Thanks in advance!

 

[Audit13]

I recommend keeping the the 4 GB and 8 GB as these are the only ram modules that will work in the mid-2012 13".

I would keep the MX200 over the other drives.

 

[thickofit]

I recommend keeping the the 4 GB and 8 GB as these are the only ram modules that will work in the mid-2012 13".

I would keep the MX200 over the other drives.

Thanks for your reply!

Don't the mid-2012 MacBook Pros (unofficially) support 16GB (2x8GB) RAM?

 

[Audit13]

Thanks for your reply!

Don't the mid-2012 MacBook Pros (unofficially) support 16GB (2x8GB) RAM?

They do but I was not sure if the 16 GB you listed was 2 x8 or 1 x 16.

If the Kingston 16 is 2 x 8, keep that for sure.

 

[justashooter]

I have this exact MBP. If the ram modules are all single modules, I would keep the 8gb Crucial, I don't believe that MBP will operate with a single 16gb chip. I would then acquire another 8gb Crucial to reach the max 16gb. Then maybe sell the 16gb chips.

The MBP has no drive in it? I would install the MX200 as the main drive, use the other two as externals. Or, if the DVD drive does not work, I would then install the MX500 as a second drive in place of the DVD. You can use https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDAMBS0GB/ to install a drive in place of the DVD. This is how my MBP is set up (a Crucial MX500 main drive and a Micron 128gb second drive). Put the Hitachi 1TB hard drive in a USB3 external enclosure to be used as a Time Machine backup or other storage.

 

[thickofit]

They do but I was not sure if the 16 GB you listed was 2 x8 or 1 x 16.

If the Kingston 16 is 2 x 8, keep that for sure.

Thanks for the advice!

(I've updated my initial post for clarity.)

 

[thickofit]

I have this exact MBP. If the ram modules are all single modules, I would keep the 8gb Crucial, I don't believe that MBP will operate with a single 16gb chip. I would then acquire another 8gb Crucial to reach the max 16gb. Then maybe sell the 16gb chips.

The MBP has no drive in it? I would install the MX200 as the main drive, use the other two as externals. Or, if the DVD drive does not work, I would then install the MX500 as a second drive in place of the DVD. You can use https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDAMBS0GB/ to install a drive in place of the DVD. This is how my MBP is set up (a Crucial MX500 main drive and a Micron 128gb second drive). Put the Hitachi 1TB hard drive in a USB3 external enclosure to be used as a Time Machine backup or other storage.

No, all kits mentioned in my initial post consist of two sticks eg 8GB (2x4GB). Apologies for the confusion - I've updated the post for clarity.

There is a disc drive - it seems to be working fine so far!

OK, so I'm leaning towards installing the MX200. Would you recommend hanging on to the MX500/Hitachi and using it as external storage?

 

[justashooter]

The Mid-2012 MBP 13 specifies 1600MHz ram, so either the Crucial 16gb or the HyperX would work (HyperX would run at 1600MHz, not 1866MHz). So I don't know if there is an advantage using the HyperX.

I would keep all the drives. Use the 1TB hard drive as a Time Machine backup so you have a full backup of your system. Besides, it's not worth that much to sell.

 

[thickofit]

The Mid-2012 MBP 13 specifies 1600MHz ram, so either the Crucial 16gb or the HyperX would work (HyperX would run at 1600MHz, not 1866MHz). So I don't know if there is an advantage using the HyperX.

I would keep all the drives. Use the 1TB hard drive as a Time Machine backup so you have a full backup of your system. Besides, it's not worth that much to sell.

Ah, so because the MacBook only supports up to 1600MHz RAM there would be no reason to install the HyperX over the Crucial 16GB?

 

[Fishrrman]

Keep ALL the external drives.
Get cheap 2.5" USB3 enclosures for them (about $9 each).
Either SSD ought to work fine in the MBP...

 

[justashooter]

Ah, so because the MacBook only supports up to 1600MHz RAM there would be no reason to install the HyperX over the Crucial 16GB?

No, there would not.

 

[vince22]

I would definitely keep 16gb crucial (2 x8gb) + both crucial SSD, i have similar Mid 2012 13"MBP (16gb crucial) although running in Raid0 setup, but very smooth with latest catalina.