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    Macbook - core 2 duo and more than 2gb of RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by nl74, Aug 6, 2007.

  1. nl74

    nl74 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It would seem that despite the specs that a core 2 duo macbook is infact capable of running with more ram than the 2gb recommended by apple. If this turns out to be true I will be a little p*d off as I recently sprung for a macbook with 2gb of ram pre-installed (I know, I know it was just easier than waiting for 3rd party ram to be delivered).

    I have seen an article on this site http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/MacBook/Testing/Memory_Benchmarks and whilst I have no reason to doubt it's accuracy I am aware that it is the only place I have seen this said and also that it is a commercial site that sells ram.

    The questions I have really are

    1) Can a Core 2 duo really take 3gb of ram?

    2) If so would the whole paired vs unpaired issue make going to 3gb un-feasible.

    I do a lot of photoshop/lightroom and no video work or games.
     
    nl74, Aug 6, 2007
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  2. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    yeah the Core 2 Duo version of the Macbook supports 3gb. That is 1GB + 2GB stick. The Core Duo only supports 2GB (2x1GB stick).

    Unpaired and paired or dual channel and non dual channel makes little differance. More ram is always better. Video work and photoediting will work better. Games well they might improve a bit but the Macbook only has an integrated Intel GMA 950 so not really much gameing power.
     
    wave, Aug 6, 2007
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  3. nl74

    nl74 Notebook Enthusiast

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    nl74, Aug 6, 2007
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  4. gorn

    gorn Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have 4GB of ram for another computer, but the computer hasn't yet arrived, so in the mean time I figured I'd try the ram in a MacBook. (Knowing I wouldn't get all 4GB from it). Here's what I got. The System Profiler knows it's 4GB but the Activity Monitor shows that only 3GB are usable.

    Obviously this is 2x2GB not 1GB + 2GB but I still don't see that being an issue.
     

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    gorn, Aug 14, 2007
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  5. nl74

    nl74 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I eventually went for a 2gb module and upped my MB to 3gb. For those that are interested I have started a post in the apple section.
     
    nl74, Aug 15, 2007
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