RAM for MBP: Is a CAS 3 worth an extra $10-20/GB over CAS 5?

[Chupa Chupa]

MBP 1.83 incoming. I'm going to ditch the stock 512MB stick for two GB sticks. Here are my choices:

1) OWC Generic CAS 5-5-5: $115/GB
2) OWC TechWorks CAS 5-5-5: $125/GB
3) RAMJET CAS 3-3-3: $269/2GB Kit

Am I going to really notice any extra performance with the CAS 3 over the CAS 5?

Anyone have any experience with either OWC or RAMJET? I usually go Crucial, but they are just too expensive with DDR/667 SO-DIMMs.

 

[cube]

I don't know how good RAMJET is, but that seems like a great deal on some very rare memory.

Damm. Why don't they ship internationally like Crucial? I don't know where else one can get stuff like this.

 

[Brad Raple]

I'm running into the same problem of what RAM to buy.. I basically want to know if there is a performance advantage to running two identical sticks of memory. For example, on the PC side of things, in many setups it is faster to run two matching 512's than a single 1GB due to Dual Channel mode. Is this something that carries over to the MBP's?

 

[AJBMatrix]

I'm running into the same problem of what RAM to buy.. I basically want to know if there is a performance advantage to running two identical sticks of memory. For example, on the PC side of things, in many setups it is faster to run two matching 512's than a single 1GB due to Dual Channel mode. Is this something that carries over to the MBP's?

The answer is yes about 1 GB. You will notice a difference. But when it comes to 2 GB you might notice a difference but it will not be as noticable because there is so much more RAM and it can still be accessed very quickly. I always suggest buying Matched RAM just to make the computer run to the best of its ability.

 

[CanadaRAM]

MBP 1.83 incoming. I'm going to ditch the stock 512MB stick for two GB sticks. Here are my choices:

1) OWC Generic CAS 5-5-5: $115/GB
2) OWC TechWorks CAS 5-5-5: $125/GB
3) RAMJET CAS 3-3-3: $269/2GB Kit

Am I going to really notice any extra performance with the CAS 3 over the CAS 5?

I have never seen CAS Latency 3 DDR2-667 RAM. I am willing to bet that this is a typo. Remember OWC was advertising CL4 RAM two weeks ago? They quietly changed their description back to CL 5-5-5.

THe same RAM module that does CL5 at 667 MHz will typically do CL4 at 533 MHz and CL4 or even 3 at 400 MHz. So technically... but of course, that is meaningless in a MacBook or an iMac Core Duo.

DDR2-667 CL5 1 Gb are $119 each at Data Memory Systems

 

[cube]

I have never seen CAS Latency 3 DDR2-667 RAM.

There's CAS3 Crucial Ballistix. So the chips exist. I've never seen SO-DIMMs before, though.

 

[CanadaRAM]

There's CAS3 Crucial Ballistix. So the chips exist. I've never seen SO-DIMMs before, though.

You're right - at US$360 a pair for DIMMs
Their SODIMMs are all CL5 tho'.

The other question is whether the Core Duo motherboards have the ability to automatically adjust to exploit lower latencies... we don't know this yet.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Thanks for the info. I went with the OWC. Seems most people have good results with it.

 

[doms]

Hi,

I've just ordered a MacBook Pro 2.0, I want to up grade the RAM to 2gb from the single 1gb can anyone tell me what RAM to get. I've seen prices from $100 - $300 (apples site). Is it worth getting the same make as what comes in the machine, if so is it a brand or only available via apple.com?

Thanks in advance.

Dom.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Doms,

To get more answers, make a thread.

But to answer your question, go with Crucial RAM. On Crucial's site.

www.crucial.com

 

[excalibur313]

Hi,

I've just ordered a MacBook Pro 2.0, I want to up grade the RAM to 2gb from the single 1gb can anyone tell me what RAM to get. I've seen prices from $100 - $300 (apples site). Is it worth getting the same make as what comes in the machine, if so is it a brand or only available via apple.com?

Thanks in advance.

Dom.

I'd suggest OWC, as is previously mentioned. A little cheaper and I've bought ram for 5 different macs and they've all been great.

 

[AJ Muni]

I just bought 2 1gb sticks from datamem.com. They were cheap ($113 each) with no tax, and just another $10 for shipping and I'll have them by tomm. afternoon. I've heard good things about them.