Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MBP Santa Rosa, upgrade to 4gb?

M

makasin

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 28, 2007
81
0
Hey guys I have a 2.4ghz 15 inch SR MBP with 2gigs of ram. Is there any point in upgrading my ram to 4GB?
I usually use quicktime, itunes, safari, mail, adium, quicksilver which are pretty much always open.
However, I am thinking about using parallels and using windows XP or Vista over that because ive got some Electrical Engineering programs I need windows for. Do you think parallels will see a good improvement? What about without parallels, is there any point? I hear OSX does a pretty good job of caching programs and making use of your memory, so could I expect some sort of battery life increase?
 
I have the same system as you and I decided to bump up to 3gb. I would definitely do it if I used parallels, and if you use Quicktime Pro export features I would do it. The 2GB sticks are very cheap and the extra gig would give a big improvement to your system. Just sell the 1gb stick here.
 
If you install 4 GB of 2x2GB sticks you will get Dual Channel Memory or something called like that. It adresses the ram faster I think and shows a few % performance increase then 2 and a 1 GB stick.
 
If your machine is fast enough for you, then don't upgrade in a hurry. The longer you leave it, the cheaper it will get.

For what you're using it for now, 2GB is fine.

As for Parallels... install Parallels and your Windows stuff first, and if it's too slow for you, then get another 2GB.

SL
 
superleccy said:
If your machine is fast enough for you, then don't upgrade in a hurry. The longer you leave it, the cheaper it will get.

For what you're using it for now, 2GB is fine.

As for Parallels... install Parallels and your Windows stuff first, and if it's too slow for you, then get another 2GB.

SL
Click to expand...

Agreed. I can run photoshop and FCP with no problems on my system. On the windows side, Flight Sim X and Supreme Commander run great.
 
purchasing ram faster than pc5300 wont yeild any performance benefits?
 
superleccy said:
You see no reason for the OP not to buy something he's not sure that he needs? You have a golden future ahead of you in marketing, sir.

SL
Click to expand...
Umm, did you not see where he mentioned parallels with Vista? Vista likes AT LEAST 1GB of RAM allocated to it, even virtually. That would leave him with 1GB for OS X. You sir, don't read very well.
 
I didnt think so. Well I think im gonna eventually (soon) take the plunge into 4gb.
 
nikhsub1 said:
Wrong. Unless of course you can read the future? DDR3 is making its way to the new standard, as soon as it does, expect DDR2 prices to rise. RAM is very cheap NOW - like you can get 4GB for about $100. In my mind, there is no reason NOT to get 4GB of RAM NOW.

Take your pick, just make sure to get PC2 5300 667Mhz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2010260381 1309121116&bop=And&Order=PRICE
Click to expand...



Wow! thanks for the link i just bought 2x2gig sticks for my 2.6 mbp which should be here anytime ! $80 including shipping! great price :)
 
which manufacture have you had success with? I was think about g-skill for 80$ for 4gig. SHould I?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back