Is 16GB RAM in the MBP 17 humanly possible?

Hey,

I was wondering if there is any way possible to get 16GB RAM in the MBP 17 2011? Will it take an 8gb stick, or is there any way it could be made to do so in the future? I really want to get a MBP 17 instead of an alienware, but I need 16GB RAM.

 

I just looked at the apple store online and on the customization page for the mbp17 it listed a Max of only 8gb.

 

Yeah, I saw that too. I was just hoping that I could buy two 8GB sticks aftermarket at some point and have them work.

 

Most time the RAM limitations are set by the motherboard manufacturer, chipset, and/or the processor. For example, the Core i7 2820QM can only address 2 memory channels at a maximum total value of 8GB. That means that, no matter what, the processor is limited to two 4GB sticks of RAM. What are you doing that requires 16GB of RAM?

 

Or, what would you want to do on a notebook that needs 16 Gig?

 

I will have to say no. I saw this thread, pulled 2 of my 8GB DIMMS from my Elitebook and had 0 response from the MBP, no error chimes or screen.

I cant call this scientific as I only have one type of 8's to try though and was in a bit of a hurry but curious.

RAM used: http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_itemdetail.aspx?itemid=1459944558&partno=M471B1G73BH0-CF8

a few of us like having laptops that can do highend renders or run very large pro apps on the road. My wife tends to like run Civ3D enginering software on one of hers, and it complains if you have less than 24 GB of RAM now.

 

Indeed. I do a lot of testing and programming, but some of the tests take time, so I will have my audio production software open and running at the same time I am doing testing, like database testing or something with two or three VMs going at the same time.

Anyway, +rep for trying for me. Seriously, I really appreciate it. Only at NBR are people this cool.

 

we try, and FYI if you want there are some laptops that do 32 GB of RAM flawless .... if your like me and dont mind paying $700/ 8GB module.

 

Except everyone else that is using the Core i7 2820QMs can support up to 24gb? Check out the Alienware m17x R3.

Guys keep a close eye on MacTracker, its a free application that will give the "actual" RAM max. Like the 2008 MBP can actually do 6, even though that apple says it can only do 4.

 

I'm gonna have to say that that's not true,

as the one in my sig is running fine and utilizes all 16GB of RAM.

 

thanks for the heads up, Ill pass it on to my techs as well
+rep

 

Absolutely I got that from my techs Love apple btw, their free programs are epic!

 

and I have a non SB based laptop running 32GB

 

I was going off of the information on Intel's website so there was merit behind it. I am just curious as to how companies/people support more than 8GB of RAM when that is a clear limitation stated direclty by Intel. Again, I am not doubtful that it is actually happening, I just want to know how they are going against Intel's own literature on their processors.

 

wow thats pretty crazy. Are you sure you were talking about higher frequencies? Cause I do know when your running 1600hz that they run 50% of the RAM atm.

 

2 years ago people were asking the same thing about 8 gigs of ram.

hehe

 

Well, that explains things if running slower RAM allows for more than 8GB to work with the Sandy Bridge processors. Intel's website essentially states that all of their current processors found in the MacBook Pros work with RAM running at 1333MHz up to 8GB. They have a little blurb saying that max supported RAM depends on how fast it is running, I just haven't come across any examples where a notebook is using slower RAM so that it can accommodate more than 8GB. I would browse Dell's website to see how fast the RAM is clocking in with that Alienware but I hate navigating Dell's website and it is extremely slow on my nettop (my MacBook is asleep). It would take me 7 minutes to figure out the speed of the RAM in the Alienware M17x.

 

so do we yet have a definitive answer on this issue?

 

tentative answer sofar is no.

 

Not yet. Honestly everything on intels websites say it only supports 8gb of RAM, however Dell and Asus both have their systems advertising 16gbs!

 

if it's anything like the news about the 2008's, maybe it's an EFI issue?

Late 2008 MacBook and MBP Capable of 8 GB Ram with Manual Update

 

Looks like new MBPs are capable of 16Gb RAM

OWC offers 16GB RAM for new MacBook Pros – Just $1600

 

That is why I was having issues. Intel's website just says 8GB but without mentioning the speed at which the max is 8GB. They just say that it is all dependent on the speed of the RAM which could mean anything.

Nothing has been released showing that they actually work with 16GB of RAM. Both Apple and Intel are saying they are limited to 8GB and I haven't come across anything online where someone was able to put 16GB in their 2011 MBP and have it actually work.

 

OWC is a reputable seller. There is no way they would offer the kit if it didn't work. Definitely not at the price they are offering it for. So now Apple has a very portable desktop replacement with incredible battery life. You got to love it.

 

I'm not sure if people are understanding, at 1600MHz you are limited to 8GB with the quad core Intel Sandy Bridge processors. With 1333MHz the limitation is 32GB I believe.

 

Where the heck did you read that...

 

huh? anyway,

http://forum.notebookreview.com/app...-macbook-pros-support-16gb-ram-confirmed.html

 

You don't have to believe me, just telling you how it will be.