my new macbook has 1gb now, need to upgrade and i am trying to decide on getting a single 2gb stick now and upgrading to 4gb later or just sticking with 2gb (1gb X 2).

anyone running 4gb - notice much diff?

i run vmware quite a bit for testing and 1gb is not cutting it.

also where is the best place to buy a 2gb value ram so-dimm for macbook?

beware of warranty void bro.....better send back to who u bought it from and ask them to upgrade....

as i understand it you can't void your warranty on the macbook by changing your own ram - only the warranty of the ram itself. i am confident in changing the ram, been tearing apart computers (and even fixing sometimes) since the early 90's.

I guess it depends on what you are using your MB for. If you multitask heavily between resource consuming programs, then it's best for you to invest straight on 2x2GB.

But if you want to test the water out and go with the cheaper option of 2x1GB, then go ahead as you can always sell the old RAM to upgrade. But get at least 2GB of RAM la, now a days, 1GB is like nothing

And yeah, you won't void the MB's warranty by upgrading your RAM. You can't even void it by upgrading the HD yourself.

I use VMware frequently doing testing with VMware ESX, sometimes with 2-3 sessions at a time. I have 3GB on my MB and any extra memory would definitely help.

I bought my RAM at Thundermatch at LYP which had the cheapest (at that time) 2GB stick of branded memory. Apacer was RM360, Kingston Value RAM were going for around RM420. 1GB sticks are dirt cheap now.

You got 3GB on your MB? That means 1x2GB and 1x1GB right?

I've read from Apple and other sites saying that it is best to not mix and match RAMs. The best is to stick to 2 of the same type. Not really sure though :\ Did your 3GB RAM choice give you any problems before?

true, thundermatch currently selling for rm300 for 2gb. damn cheap, last time i bought for rm400 for one.....

Nope. The RAM is user-changeable and will not VOID any warranty.

I'm using a pre-Santa Rosa Macbook so it won't register the 4GB RAM even if I put 2x2GB in there, it's an Intel chipset limitation. The performance difference is insignificant if you read through some of the Barefeats and OWC benchmarks, having the extra 1GB makes up for any performance hit.

So, no problems so far, even with memory intensive VMware Fusion sessions.

i am using mac book with santa rosa chipset and using 4gb its worth it, but if you mac is pre-santa rosa then you max is only 2gb.

lets be accurate here,
for MacBook only =
Core Duo - max 2 GB
Core2 Duo + Intel GMA 950 = max 3GB
Core2 Duo + Intel x3100 = max 4GB

wah now i only know 2gb ram only cost rm300.. really damn cheap

I've seen some 4gb (2x2gb) macbook ram sets going for just over 100 USD - imagine within a few months prices should come down more over here in m'asia.

funny how something made in singapore is cheaper than in san jose than it is in kl. economies of scale so to speak.


i am leaning towards getting one 2 gb stick for 300 and upping it to 4 later.. i have the 965 chipset macbook so 4gb is supported.

with all the vista notebooks (and prob more once sp1 releases) there should be more demand here for 2gb so-dimms..


as for the mem better to be paired - looks like this is true, but not as important as having more ram. thanks for replies.

dang ! mine can go up till 3 gig only, appreciate the info ... should stick to 2 gig rite? cant afford macbook pro, but if im insist on going 3 gig will that be any problem? i strain quit often my macbook ...any thoughts?

This post has been edited by deu5: Nov 14 2007, 11:32 PM

There won't be any problem since your MB (I assume it's MB) could support 3GB.

the new santa rosa chipset is running the fsb at 800 - does that mean it should have 800 Mhz memory instead of 667 Mhz ?

Hmm..good question. It depends on the memory ratio of the Santa Rosa chipset.

If FSB:memory ratio is high, then it might accept up to 1250 MHz (does it go that high?). But expensive like crap though.

But the chipset should be able to accept 800 MHz. It is possible for a chipset's memory ratio to go below the FSB? Like 5:4 or something?

hey any problem using none apple certified ram....

maybe yes, maybe no, lots of other threads here covering that. look for the value ram thread.

I'm using RAM from OWC, no problem here.

To make sure your RAM is in proper order, run the memtest application for OS X. It will take forever to complete though.