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    Macbook Pro 2011 1600mhz PC312800 YES OR NO?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by konceptz, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. konceptz

    konceptz Notebook Consultant

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    I'm not sure if anyone else has been down this rabbit hole before, but I can't seem to get to the bottom of this.


    I want to know if 2011MBPs are able to use 1600mhz DDR3 ram without an EFI upgrade. I'm getting conflicted stories about this.

    INTEL SPECS
    MBP13" :
    2.70 Ghz i7-2620M: DDR3-1066/1333
    2.30 Ghz i5-2410M: DDR3-1066/1333

    MBP15" :
    2.30 Ghz i7-2820QM: DDR3-1066/1333/1600
    2.20 Ghz i7-2720QM: DDR3-1066/1333/1600
    2.00 Ghz i7-2630QM: DDR3-1066/1333

    MBP17" :
    2.30 Ghz i7-2820QM: DDR3-1066/1333/1600
    2.20 Ghz i7-2720QM: DDR3-1066/1333/1600

    Here are some conflicting links:
    DDR3 1600 Doesn't work:
    No DDR3 1600

    Newegg Buyers Comments

    DDR3 1600 Does work:
    1600 Screen Shot Kingston 1600

    User claiming 1600 works


    There are more people talking about it working/not working but I just wanted to share what I had open in tabs right now.

    Could anyone shed some light on this?
     
    konceptz, Apr 17, 2011
    #1
  2. konceptz

    konceptz Notebook Consultant

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    Hmm, seems like a harder question than I thought?
     
    konceptz, Apr 18, 2011
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  3. debaucher

    debaucher Notebook Deity

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    Look at the dates.
    The first one you posted as "No DDR3 1600" was posted on 18/03/2011 which was before the latest OSX update came out.

    All the other ones which claim it works at 1600 were posted around early April.

    So, I think they will work at 1600

    I am thinking of buying some for my 15"MBP (or temp. taking them out of my alienware and seeing if they work) but I already have 8gb in my MBP (1333 ram though)
     
    debaucher, Apr 18, 2011
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  4. floydstyle

    floydstyle Newbie

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    why would you put your new MBP at risk for a tinny speed bump?
    Personally, I wouldn't even try it :/
     
    floydstyle, Apr 18, 2011
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  5. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    There isnt any risk is there? 1600mhz ddr3 will just down clock to 1333mhz. The only risk is the price difference between 1600mhz and 1333mhz ram which is not that much anyway.
     
    wave, Apr 19, 2011
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  6. konceptz

    konceptz Notebook Consultant

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    I think there's no real risk in using higher spec'd ram. I agree with wave.


    For those of us maximizing the throughput of the subsystem, 1600 can mean an increase in speed as well as last longer than a 1066 or 1333 upgrade.

    Also, prices are similar for both.

    @debaucher: Thanks! Dates are a good indicator, possibly osx 10.6.6 was unable to talk about 1600mhz, though I find that somewhat hard to believe.

    Anyone can verify they have 1600mhz up and running? and if so, which one did you use?

    Thanks
     
    konceptz, Apr 19, 2011
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  7. altecX

    altecX Notebook Deity

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    1600 DOES work, you have to use Patriot - CAS 11 or Kingston part number: KHX1600C9S3K2/8G (notice it does NOT have an X after the G) - CAS9.

    It will run @ full 1600 MHz speed. You can get the Kingstone for about $120 on amazon or 95on Newegg if it gets back in stock.

    A user on MacRumors proved this in the MacBook Pro section. His test showed it was roughly a 10% performance gain.

    EDIT: in the first link shows that they are using the GX kingston not the G, the GX uses XMP while does not work with the MacBooks.
     
    altecX, Apr 19, 2011
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  8. debaucher

    debaucher Notebook Deity

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    Nice one altecX.

    On my M17x-R2 I have the xmp kingston 8gb 1600 kit and they run just fine, I just dont get the xmp timings.

    I was about to pop them in my mbp to test out.. but wont bother now.

    Now I just need to decide if I should keep the 8gb 1333 I have now or just plop down the benj. for 1600.

    D.
     
    debaucher, Apr 19, 2011
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  9. konceptz

    konceptz Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah, thanks for the clarification!
     
    konceptz, Apr 19, 2011
    #9