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hmp · Feb 23, 2006, 11:39 PM

Was wondering if anyone has ordered memory other than Crucial for their MBP. I have the 1.83 ghz coming in with the standard 512mb memory, but was thinking of upgrading to either 1.5gig or 2gig.

Does anyone know if RAM from OWC or other manufacturers will work properly with the MacBook Pro? I've had some bad experiences in the past with third party memory, which is why I'm asking if any one has done an install yet.

Two of them that I'm looking at are the ones offered at OWC:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../5300DDR2S1GB/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/TechWorks/126590001/

And also, which one of those two do you think would be better? I know one is $10 more, but does it matter?

mgehman · Feb 23, 2006, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by hmp

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone has ordered memory other than Crucial for their MBP. I have the 1.83 ghz coming in with the standard 512mb memory, but was thinking of upgrading to either 1.5gig or 2gig.

Does anyone know if RAM from OWC or other manufacturers will work properly with the MacBook Pro? I've had some bad experiences in the past with third party memory, which is why I'm asking if any one has done an install yet.

I have bought ram from a variety of sources for both desktops and laptops. The only ones I have had fail are the desktop models. The only one that I can specifically remember having a problem with was 18004MEMORY when i had a module die, They did return the ram without too many questions. They then sent out the new piece which quickly. Sl take your pick

bfibandit · Feb 24, 2006, 01:52 AM

I ordered a 1 GB module of the Techworks memory from OWC and received it today. So far, it is working flawlessly in my 2.0GHz MBP, and in dual-channel mode to boot. However, the memory I received has Elpida chips on it, not the Micron chips as shown in the picture. I was a little disappointed when i saw that, but no problems so far.

hmp · Feb 24, 2006, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by bfibandit

I ordered a 1 GB module of the Techworks memory from OWC and received it today.

Is there a reason you chose the Techworks one over the OWC brand? Was it because of the Micron chips, or something else?

I'm just wondering what the difference (other than brand name) is..

ero2 · Feb 24, 2006, 03:01 AM

I have, maybe a dumb question. I have never owned a computer with ddr2, so I ordered a stock 1.83 with 512, can I only run a 512 and a 512 not a 512 and a 1 gig?

bfibandit · Feb 24, 2006, 09:25 AM

Indeed, I chose the Techworks memory because I thought it had Micron chips on it. I can't remember if Crucual is owned by Micron or what, but they always seem to use Micron chips on their modules.

mduell · Feb 24, 2006, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by ero2

I have, maybe a dumb question. I have never owned a computer with ddr2, so I ordered a stock 1.83 with 512, can I only run a 512 and a 512 not a 512 and a 1 gig?

You can use any two arbitrary sized DDR2 DIMMs.
If your DIMMs are the same size, then you get dual channel performance.

Originally Posted by bfibandit

Indeed, I chose the Techworks memory because I thought it had Micron chips on it. I can't remember if Crucual is owned by Micron or what, but they always seem to use Micron chips on their modules.

Micron bought Crucial a few years back and uses them as their retail sales division.

hmp · Mar 15, 2006, 05:50 PM

An update - I bought the Techworks memory module from OWC.

Just installed it, and it works great! I've got 1.5 gigs of RAM and this machine is FAST!

Star-Fire · Mar 15, 2006, 07:25 PM

I have mushkin in mine from Frys electronics for a total of 2 Gig

ender78 · Mar 16, 2006, 12:47 AM

I have the 2GB or RAM in mine [1GB Apple and 1GB OWC] combo works fine.

skemple · Mar 16, 2006, 01:23 AM

I ordered a 1 gig stick for my Macbook Pro from http://www.betterram.com/ I have been using it for over a week now and haven't had any problems. Fast shipping and quick responses to my emails.

hmp · Mar 16, 2006, 02:26 AM

Is it safe to assume that the Intel motherboards are less picky than the previous Apple machines? I know my 1ghz albook was extremely sensitive to the memory manufacturer I used - it seems this may not be the case with the new MBPs. (which is a good thing)

PeterKG · Mar 16, 2006, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by hmp

Is it safe to assume that the Intel motherboards are less picky than the previous Apple machines? I know my 1ghz albook was extremely sensitive to the memory manufacturer I used - it seems this may not be the case with the new MBPs. (which is a good thing)

I bought Corsair Value Ram, that would not work well with my MBP. I returned it and bought Lifetime Ram from Micro Centers Apple dept. It has worked great, but was more expensive.

lloh108 · Mar 16, 2006, 11:16 AM

I bought 2 x 1GB Samsung RAM from OWC and have been using it for 1 week. So far so good...highly recommended.

sworthy · Mar 16, 2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

You can use any two arbitrary sized DDR2 DIMMs.
If your DIMMs are the same size, then you get dual channel performance.

So they just have to be the same size? It doesn't matter if they're the same brand?

By the way, I was looking at adding a 1GB stick of OWC's brand ($114.99) instead of buying Samsung ($179 at OWC). Is this a good idea? I'll still be good with the dual channel?

hmp · Mar 16, 2006, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by sworthy

So they just have to be the same size? It doesn't matter if they're the same brand?

Yes, they just have to be the same size. Brand does not matter.

I would just buy the 1GB stick of OWC's brand and save the money.

SEkker · Mar 16, 2006, 09:24 PM

1GB OWC plus 1 GB Apple, works fine.

mduell · Mar 16, 2006, 09:39 PM

I was mistaken in my earlier post; the DIMMs do not need to be the same size.

From the Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family Datasheet:
Three Memory Channel Configurations supported:
- Single-Channel
- Dual-Channel Symmetric
- Dual-Channel Asymmetric

hmp · Mar 16, 2006, 09:40 PM

So with 1.5 gig, the 1 gig would run dual channel and the 512 meg wouldn't?

mduell · Mar 16, 2006, 11:33 PM

What? No.
Dual-channel applies to the whole memory sytem. With two DIMMs you have 10.7GBps memory bandwidth available.

hmp · Mar 17, 2006, 12:17 AM

That's what I thought, but your post confused me a bit. Makes sense now though.

Thanks for clearing it up..

riotge@r · Mar 17, 2006, 03:19 AM

I just ordered a 1GB module from Datamem. I only buy from them and Crucial.

ajbaker · Mar 17, 2006, 10:05 AM

What is the cheapest price people have paid for MacBook Pro RAM in the UK?

The cheapest I have found is: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=353418

However I have not heard any reports on its reliability.

rowelld · Mar 17, 2006, 02:05 PM

I ordered a 1gb stick from newegg for about $108 (thats with shipping included). A lot cheaper than the $200 apple asks for on their site.