Some questions after reading RAM threads

[marine610610]

I learned about the pageins/outs after reading through the previously posted RAM threads. I guess what im asking for are recommendations. I have a MBP C2D 2.16 1GB Ram... I have seen a lot of people buy 2 1GB sticks even though they already have 1GB in. Is there a need to have matched pairs by manufacture as well? Given that my pre-SR MBP will only pick up 3GB, if i do put 4GB can i still get the benefits of having a matched pair, minus the use of the extra GB for memory purposes? I do quite a bit of gaming, as well as keeping 20-30 tabs worth of web pages open for research that i do(plus iTunes iPhoto etc..). Would the speed increase of a matched pair be more beneficial for me, or the 3GB?

Here is a link to what NewEgg has, good stuff?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...FG=CFG003MacBook Pro 15.4-inch 2.16GHz&DEPA=0

Who sells reliable 2GB sticks at less than Apple prices?

 

[Southern]

I've never had a bad experience with Crucial branded RAM. It's cheap and does the job fine. In fact, I've had stock Apple RAM fail on machines I've repaired and the Crucial just kept on going for years, never needed to replace it.

If you're not happy with Crucial, I would recommend either Kingston or Corsair, so see what the prices are like.

 

[TBi]

Thank you for at least doing some homework before you asked your question. It's rare that people do this.

For your questions...

You don't need to match manufacturers for memory. It's recommended but usually it doesn't matter. I use a crucial and corsair stick in my MB.

The people who got matched 1GB pairs either didn't know enough about what they were doing or had 1GB as 2x512MB.

Mis matched memory doesn't make a difference to the MBP because the matched memory only helps the built in graphics. The MBP had discrete graphics.

3GB will be fine, 4GB will be faster when you have a lot open. I find that nearly any memory that will fit will work. However i do lean towards corsair or mushkin as they make excellent products.

 

[marine610610]

Thanks for the replies. Is it correct to say that my MBP will recognize 3.3GB or just 3 if i was to put 2x2GB in?

 

[marine610610]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&Page=2

What is the deal with this not working for some MBP's ? Is it just the SR MBP's that are having the problem?

 

[AndyFL]

If I may hop in your thread..

I just got my refurb 2.16 1GB today and found a local guy selling an OEM Micron 1GB chip from a MBP (so he says). If I understand correctly, "matching" isn't really that crucial, unless one might be doing intensive graphics work. ? But if you do match, you're only looking for same manufacturer (ie nothing more specific than that)? Any hesitation tossing in this other "OEM" chip? Thanks in advance.

Andy

 

[TBi]

Any hesitation tossing in this other "OEM" chip? Thanks in advance.

No hesitation at all. After all, DDR-667 from one manufacturer is the same electrically as DDR-667 from another manufacturer. If you find that two sticks don't work properly when "matched" then more than likely you'll find that one of them is damaged.