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Simon · May 24, 2007 , 02:16 AM

Dual channel access is completely overrated on the MBP. The few benchmarks that have seen a difference in performance due to dual channel RAM access put it at ~5% in the best case. In everyday tasks that is something you just won't be able to notice.

However, as soon as people experience page outs with 2 GB they have already lost more than they ever will due to single channel access. If you experience page outs with 2 GB RAM the advantage of having more RAM will easily outweigh the marginal benefit of dual-channel memory access.

That said, SR should take care of this for good. We'll be getting 4 GB RAM with dual-channel memory access.

Jim Paradise · Jun 12, 2007 , 03:04 PM

Is it possible to expand the RAM in the new MacBook Pros without replacing the 2 x 1GB sticks of RAM already in them?

AppleOptionFour · Jun 13, 2007 , 03:53 PM

I dont think so. You have to go with 2 x 2GB to get the max.

jfobart · Jun 28, 2007 , 01:40 PM

Has anybody tried 4GB of RAM in a 2.16/2.33 C2D MBP?

mduell · Jun 28, 2007 , 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by jfobart

Has anybody tried 4GB of RAM in a 2.16/2.33 C2D MBP?

You can use ~3.1GB of it.

switch · Jul 3, 2007 , 04:24 PM

Hi,
I've been thinking of switching to Mac since Windows has been giving me so much headache so help me out here since i'm a novice. I'm planning to get the lowest end of 15" MBP and adding more RAM but I don't know how to go about of doing so. Can I add up to 4GB on the 2x1 GB ? Is that the physical slot required for adding RAM that I need to buy?
Is it the hardware or software involved in RAM upgrading? I guess I just don't know what's involved in this whole thing. Thanks in advance.

Debbie

mduell · Jul 3, 2007 , 04:54 PM

Buy the MBP with 2x1GB from Apple, buy two 2GB modules from another company ($250ish, compared to Apple asking $750ish for the upgrade

), open the panel on the bottom of the MBP, remove the old RAM, and install the new RAM. You can sell the old RAM modules to a MacBook owner for about $80.

oexecbmug · Jul 3, 2007 , 06:30 PM

mduell - quick and good reply

switch · Jul 4, 2007 , 03:14 AM

thanks so much mduell for that speedy response and sorry for not being able to get back quick enough.

switch · Jul 4, 2007 , 11:07 AM

mduell, since the MBP comes w/ 2x1GB already is it possible that I just get 1 more 2x1GB to have a total of 4GB?

oexecbmug · Jul 4, 2007 , 11:33 AM

my guess w0ud be n0 - y0u need match set h0pe mdueII repIies - he wiII have the c0rrect answer

AS y0u can teII my keybard has pr0bIems certain keys d0 n0t w0rk = but need internet and can n0t Iet g0 0f PB at present

mduell · Jul 4, 2007 , 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by switch

mduell, since the MBP comes w/ 2x1GB already is it possible that I just get 1 more 2x1GB to have a total of 4GB?

No, there are only 2 slots in the MBP; you need to buy 2x2GB.

switch · Jul 4, 2007 , 05:28 PM

hmm..so i have to replace the 2x1RAM that comes w/ the MBP with 2x2GB and there 's just no way i can keep it and add another 2x1GB into the other slot. The sets have to match, is that what it is? Lol the more i ask the more confused i get

mduell · Jul 4, 2007 , 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by switch

hmm..so i have to replace the 2x1RAM that comes w/ the MBP with 2x2GB and there 's just no way i can keep it and add another 2x1GB into the other slot. The sets have to match, is that what it is? Lol the more i ask the more confused i get

What other slot? As I just said, there are only 2 slots.

No, the modules do not have to be the same size. You can have 1GB and 2GB if you want.

Skip_Intro · Jul 4, 2007 , 06:58 PM

You have exactly 2 slots. Those 2 slots are filled with 1GB of ram each.

If you want to go to 4GB, yes you have to replace both sticks of ram with 2GB ram each.

switch · Jul 4, 2007 , 07:12 PM

Gotcha. Thanks skip_intro.

switch · Jul 4, 2007 , 07:18 PM

thanks mduell for putting up w/ me

wubrew · 08:58 PM

mduell, care to give us your opinion on this take?

wubrew · 08:59 PM

[quote=wubrew;3427192]mduell, care to give us your opinion on this take?

It a 1x2 GB + 1x1 GB deal.Not a 1x3GB stick

mduell · Jul 11, 2007 , 08:47 PM

Yea, that's the kit (just like it says) you'd need for upgrading a machine with 2x512MB to 3GB.

sdilley14 · Jul 19, 2007 , 12:02 AM

Ok, so I just got a 2.16GHz C2D MBP yesterday. It came stock with a single 1GB stick of RAM. I plan on upgrading. I checked out Crucial and they have a 1GB stick for $55 or a 2GB stick for $130. I'm wondering if it's worth it to spring for the 2GB stick. I don't do any video/photo editing or gaming. I primarily use it for MS Office, web browsing, watching DVDs, iTunes, chatting, light web design, and I mess around with Parallels once in a while. The system is more than fine now with 1GB as far as doing what I need to do and multi tasking. My primary concern is Leopard. I obviously want to be able to run it smoothly. My gut is telling me my system with 1GB would prolly run it well enough (unlike the Vista resource hog issues I've heard about). So what do you think, is it worth the extra $80 to get the 2GB stick or would 2GB total rather than 3GB do well enough for what I run now and potential future use?

sdilley14 · Jul 24, 2007 , 04:57 PM

Just got my 1GB stick of RAM from Crucial. Got it for $55 shipped, arrived in 5 business days, installed in about 20 seconds. Couldn't be happier!

twoworads · Aug 18, 2007 , 05:02 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew enough specifics with memory concerning latency and speeds of the chips themselves. I have been researching to upgrade a 2.4GHz SR to 4GB. I have seen cheap SO-DIMMs at PC2-5300 and 5400. Is the difference solely in the way a company rounds their numbers or are there actually qualifications for the different numbers?