RAM Upgrade on Late 08 Unibody Macbook --- Questions before I start!

Hey all,

Looking to give my Macbook a boost. Currently has 2GB of RAM installed. Since I use Parallel a lot, I have much to gain by going up to 4GB.

Anyway, I checked the system profiler and see that my Macbook has DDR3 1067Mhz RAM installed. I have a few questions:

1) Do I need to add modules as one PAIR? I want to go with using 1 module instead of doing two 2GB sticks since I want to keep a port open for more flexibility.

2) I know I can get 3rd party RAM and I'm just worried I'm more limited in terms of choices because I'm using a Mac. But is it true that as long as my RAM has the right clock speed and specs, it should work with the Mac? Are there known lines of memory that won't work with the Macbook?

Thanks!

Again, my Macbook is a late 2008 unibody model. C2D 2.4Ghz w/ 2GB RAM.

 

I forgot to mention, that I'm thinking of this list---

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Memory,Laptop Memory,DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500))

All of the RAM here are spec-ed at DDR3 1066

Thanks again!

 

ram is ram.. Apple doesn't use proprietary ram, as long as the specs are right, it'll work.

You'll get dual channel memory speed improvements if you have matching pairs, but it will work with un-matching pairs, it just might be slightly slower in memory performance in memory intensive applications.

You can go to Crucial's Website and select your exact laptop and see what Ram they would sell you for it... you can then make sure you have the same exact specs if you buy ram from Newegg or elsewhere. I've never seen Crucial's memory tool have wrong info.

 

I don't think you can put 8gb of RAM in the late 08 Unibodys. Unless it has been confirmed now.

 

I have a thread for memory upgrades here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/apple-mac-os-x/529362-official-apple-macbook-upgrade-central.html

Match you model up with the corresponding one on the list.

 

Thanks!

I believe the MB can have upto 8GB... so I guess max per slot is 4GB. Will have to look into the above thread.

 

If you have a Macbook 5,1 it con only handle 6GB's of memory. So 1 4GB SODIMM and 1 2GB SODIMM.

 

Yup you are correct.

Thanks!

 

Where did you hear this?

From my understanding is that 8gb will make it unstable programes will crash,etc, and that the max is only 6gb even though Apple says it only supports upto 4gb.

Apple could fix this with a EFI update but they haven't

 

I misread about that 8GB as max RAM. Upon some further reading... I also heard that 6GB can cause trouble in snow leopard.

 

According Everymac.com, it can accept 6GB's no problem: MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (Unibody) Specs (Late 2008/Unibody, MB471LL/A, MacBookPro5,1, A1286, 2255) @ EveryMac.com

 

Alright, found these two:

Newegg.com - Mushkin Enhanced 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Memory For Apple Model 976643A

Newegg.com - Mushkin Enhanced 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model 991643


Same exact specs. Same brand. Same everything. One is labelled compatible with Apple.

In reality, there is no difference right?

EDIT: Upon checkign review, Yes, they work fine.