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RAM Upgrade

DJLC

DJLC

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 17, 2005
965
412
North Carolina
I have a late 2006 white MacBook; 2GHz, 2GB RAM. I have two 1GB chips installed currently, obviously. I also have a 2GB chip that I got from a friend. Will installing 2+1 give me the max of 3GB, or will it only recognize 1.5GB per slot? Also, would this negatively impact performance b/c it's not a matched pair? It's definitely aching for more RAM...
 
Your Macbook will see a total of 3Gb of ram. It will be a tiny bit slower because it is not a matched pair.
 
What's your suggestion? Would the extra gig of RAM effectively negate the performance hit from the unmatched pair?
 
DJLC said:
What's your suggestion? Would the extra gig of RAM effectively negate the performance hit from the unmatched pair?
Click to expand...

The best upgrade would be two 2Gb sticks for a matched pair. But, even the 1+2Gb sticks should make it go a bit faster.
 
Not at all. My friend actually got it for his newer unibody MacBook, but it turned out to be the wrong kind. It was too late to return it, so he gave it to me…

2GB DDR2-667. Compatible with Intel iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro according to the packaging.
 
DJLC said:
Not at all. My friend actually got it for his newer unibody MacBook, but it turned out to be the wrong kind. It was too late to return it, so he gave it to me…

2GB DDR2-667. Compatible with Intel iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro according to the packaging.
Click to expand...

That should work in your Macbook. Don't know why it won't boot with it.
 
This is a bit off topic, but I have a Macbook (Mid 2007). I have 1 GB of RAM but it can only take 3 GB max.

Should I just buy 2 things of 2 GB memory chips, or is there a 3 GB RAM chip out there? Do they even make them?

OR, should I just save the money and do 1 GB and then 2 GB for the two chips. Thanks guys.
 
TJC747 said:
This is a bit off topic, but I have a Macbook (Mid 2007). I have 1 GB of RAM but it can only take 3 GB max.

Should I just buy 2 things of 2 GB memory chips, or is there a 3 GB RAM chip out there? Do they even make them?

OR, should I just save the money and do 1 GB and then 2 GB for the two chips. Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

3Gb chips don't exist. For the fastest speeds, 2x2Gb is the way to go.

iThinkergoiMac said:
Really? All my research shows the opposite, but I haven't done any tests myself. I'd love to see them.
Click to expand...

The next time I mix up my RAM amongst my Macs, I'll post the results. Currently, my mid-07 Blackbook has 2x2Gb.
 
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TJC747 said:
Alright thanks Intell. So in the thread you advise not to use a 2GB chip and a 1GB chip. The unmatched pairs aren't effective?

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Valu...0DVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311395191&sr=8-1

That will work for my Macbook? Sorry I'm new to this stuff.

-Tom
Click to expand...

The unmatched will work. Its still an upgrade over 2Gb though.

That RAM is for desktops. You need the smaller laptop ram: http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Channel-P...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311395334&sr=1-5

iThinkergoiMac said:
Cool, I look forward to it.

I have 6 GB in my MacBook, and it's blazing.
Click to expand...

I wish my Blackbook could see 6Gb. Sadly, I'm stuck with 3.3Gb.
 
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Wow I didn't even see that - I guess I'll buy it right now then. Thanks Intell you're a life saver.
 
God so many people are saying it doesn't work with Macbooks, and some people are saying it does - I don't know what to do!
 
Intell said:
Here is some good name brand stuff: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-CT2CP...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311395842&sr=1-2

Its what I've used in the past.
Click to expand...

That looks good but I have Amazon Prime and I'm trying to take advantage of it. This may sound stupid but can I just buy two 2GB sticks individually? It would be like $5 more but it would be the same product, no?

How can I tell if they're laptop or dekstop besides looking for it in the product name? GAH this is so confusing.
 
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TJC747 said:
That looks good but I have Amazon Prime and I'm trying to take advantage of it. This may sound stupid but can I just buy two 2GB sticks individually? It would be like $5 more but it would be the same product, no?

How can I tell if they're laptop or dekstop besides looking for it in the product name? GAH this is so confusing.
Click to expand...

You can buy two separate sticks if you want. Just make sure they are almost the same.

You can tell if its desktop or laptop just by looking at the picture. The desktop kind is really long. The laptop kind is short and wide.
 
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Intell said:
I don't mind the questions.

That two of those should work nicely in your Macbook.
Click to expand...

Cool. This is unrelated but I'm about to get Snow Leopard from a friend and then buy Lion. Will Lion slow down my Macbook at all? Is it even worth buying it. I know the gestures feature won't work but will that detract from its value at all?
 
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