[tkmd]

I wanted to upgrade the RAM from my 2 GB to 6GB (512x4 + 2GBx2), but I am having a tough time finding faster (more modern) fb-DIMM sticks. None of the sellers actually list the CL speed - and the ones that do are stuck at a poor rating of 5.

Anyplace I can higher quality sticks?

[SierraDragon]

Speed is defined by the box; adding faster RAM provides no benefit. Just go to OWC Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC
and add appropriate RAM for your box. I suggest adding 4x2GB for $330; there are benefits to adding in matched sets of 2 pairs. If you like you can install faster more expensive DIMMs but do not expect speed benefit; however you could then use the faster DIMMs in a future 2008 MP.

-Allen Wicks

[tkmd]

Ironically the OWC site you linked me to has 800 mhz stick that are cheaper than the 667 sticks. So let me get this straight are you saying that I ditch the 4 sticks of 512 mb ( I have a total of 2 GB) and then buy 2x 2GB?

[MarkLT1]

Or, leave in your 4 sticks of 512, add 2x2gb and enjoy your 6gb of RAM.

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by tkmd 

Ironically the OWC site you linked me to has 800 mhz stick that are cheaper than the 667 sticks. So let me get this straight are you saying that I ditch the 4 sticks of 512 mb ( I have a total of 2 GB) and then buy 2x 2GB?

Obviously you should take advantage of the best prices available when you push the buy button. Ten days ago when I bought 4x2GB the 667MHz DIMMs were cheaper and my reading today of the OWC site still shows 800MHZ at ~$400 for 4x2GB while 667MHz are ~$300. Since 800MHz does not benefit 2006/2007 MPs, and by the time we upgrade to the next gen MP we will want 4-GB sized DIMMs and probably faster too, I see no reason to pay extra to get 800MHz DIMMs.

What I said was "I suggest adding 4x2GB." I did not suggest trashing your 4x512MB. Keeping the 4x512MB would give you "matched sets of 2 pairs" as I recommended in the earlier post. A total of 10 GB RAM. You would put the 4x2GB in the top riser and 4x512MB in the bottom riser.

IMO RAM is beneficial enough and cheap enough that (today) it makes sense to buy in 4-DIMM matched sets of 2GB-sized DIMMs. No doubt in the not far distant future I will consider RAM beneficial enough and cheap enough that (then) it will make sense to buy in 4-DIMM matched sets of 4GB-sized DIMMs.

In my 2.66 MP I did pull Apple's lame 2x512MB RAM when I added 4x2GB. I will either give away the two 512's or install them in another (non-graphics) MP.

-Allen Wicks

[mduell]

The CL doesn't really matter for FB-DIMMs... the latency is high no matter what due to the architecture.

Put the 2x2GB on one riser and the 4x512MB on the other if you only need 6GB.