General Mac Upgrade Discussion



Due to many enquiries about Mac RAM, HDD, OS, OS Updates etc, this thread is for users to post their queries/how to.

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Also included a feedback on the model/brand of RAM used in current Laptops or Desktops to help other users to choose and enquire more infomation.

Please do not ask/discuss on pricing. Please proceed to Sales Section & Shop with downloadable price list PDF document to search for your hardware upgrades.

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Use the template below to list the model of RAM and also list RAM that are not compatible/errors if there's any.

Mac:
Good/Bad RAM:
RAM Model #:
Reported by member:

Example:

Mac: MacBook 1st Gen.
Good RAM: Kingston KVR DDR2 667 SODIMM 16chips both sided.
RAM Model #: XXXXXXXXXX
Reported by member: wei, davidgrary73

Mac: eMac G4 1.25GHz.
Bad RAM: Kingston KVR SD1333 DIMM 16chips both sided.
RAM Model #: N/A
Issue: Error beep on startup. Won't boot.
Reported by member: wei

(credit to wei)
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Current RAM Brand:

Kingston
TEAM Elite series
Apacer
Corsair
Mushkin

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Links:

http://guides.macrumors.com/Buying_RAM

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This post has been edited by davidgary73: Jul 13 2009, 09:07 AM

Common Ask Questions:

RAM:

1. Are all Desktop RAM the same and compatible with iMac, MacPro and Mac Mini?


2. Are all Laptops RAM the same and compatible for all the portable Mac Laptops?


3. Self upgrading RAM will void Apple Warranty?


4. How much RAM is recommended?



HardDrive:

1. Are all Laptop HDD the same and will i be able to use any brand of HDD for all portable Mac Laptops?


2. Are all Desktop HDD the same and will i be able to use any brand of HDD for all Desktops Macs?



OSX:

Mac OSX General Requirements



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This post has been edited by davidgary73: Jun 7 2009, 02:20 PM

Good/Compatible RAM

Mac: Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Good RAM: 2 x 1GB Kingston KTA DDR2 667 FB-DIMM
RAM Model #: KTA-MP667K2/2G
Others: 2 x 512 RAM DDR2 667 FB-DIMM (Default RAM that comes with the Mac Pro)
Reported by member: davidgary73


Mac: MacBook Aluminum (Late '08) 2.0GHz
RAM: 2 x 2GB DDR3 PC3-8500 1066MHz 204Pin SO-DIMM, Nanya chip
RAM Model #: not sure, got it via www.ramcity.com.au
Reported by member: n20nine
Remarks: No problems at all so far...running smooth. Did an extended Apple Hardware Test and it did not detect any problems at all.


Mac: MacBook Aluminum (Late '08) 2.0GHz
RAM: 2 x 2GB DDR3 PC3-8500 1066MHz 204Pin SO-DIMM, Hynix chip
RAM Model #: 525T by 18004memory.com
Reported by member: ahblu3
Remarks: Bought thru eBay, Seller stated the item is using Micron chip but I received Hynix chip instead. No freeze issue occurs for overnight sleep


Mac: Late 2008 2.4 GHz Unibody MacBook Pro
Good RAM: 2 GB Kingston KVR DDR3 1066 SODIMM 16chips both sided. CL-7
RAM Model #: KVR1066D3S7/2G
Price: Around RM 120 for one 2 GB stick.
Reported by member: mysticxin
Remarks: Just upgraded to 2x2GB of the above-mentioned RAM. Works great so far!

Mac: MacBook Aluminium
Good RAM: Kingston KVR DDR3 1066 SODIMM
(done the memtest and no problem at all)
HDD change : Seagate 320GB
Model No: ST9320320AS
Reported by member: aizad02
Comment : the ram runs very well wif the macbook alu. there's no significant performance gain from the increase of 1gb (default is 2GB). But much easier to run many instance and less lagginess using virtual box.
For the HDD,the seagate works very fine,i think as long as u the upgraded hdd thickness match wif the size of the hdd area inside and the RPM not more than the default hdd speed,everything will be just fine.(higher RPM than default could cause u a vibration problem as the hdd just at ur palmrest)


This post has been edited by davidgary73: Mar 31 2010, 07:15 PM

Bad/BlackListed RAM

Mac: Macbook Aluminium 2.0Ghz
Bad RAM: 2 x 2GB OWC DDR3 1066MHz (Micron Chip)
RAM Model #: OWC 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 1066MHz DIMM Upgrade Kit
Reported by member: esssymanex

This post has been edited by davidgary73: Apr 7 2009, 09:27 PM

Mac: Macbook Aluminium 2.0Ghz
Bad RAM: 2 x 2GB OWC DDR3 1066MHz (Micron Chip)
RAM Model #: OWC 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 1066MHz DIMM Upgrade Kit
Reported by member: esssymanex

hi, this is my mac mini, if i wan to upgrade to 2GB ram, roughly how much?
and can i using higher bus speed, eg. 2GB DDRII 800++Mhz @ 1000++MHZ


Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MM21.009A.B00
SMC Version: 1.19f2
Serial Number: YM8350FBYL1

no you can't you need to stick with 667MHZ bus ram otherwise it won't work. if you want cheap ram, go to the ground floor of digital mall PJ, the shop on the left of the entrance, they have some 'new old ram' for sale very reasonable price.

Hi all,

I have a question concerning the memory ram in my Mac Pro. I am using the early 2008 Mac Pro and thinking to upgrade the ram from 2 gb to 22 gb ram. Currently I have 6gb which is 1+2 in first tray and 1+2 in second tray, total 6gb. I am getting additional ram of 16 gb (4 sticks x 4gb per stick). By placing the memory equally in each memory tray, will it yield different result? If I put the following sequence

First tray = 1+2+4+4 = 11 gb in first tray
Second tray = 1+2+4+4=11 gb in second tray

Is the first setup faster? or

Frist tray = 2+4+4 = 10 gb in first tray
Second tray = 2+4+4 = 10 gb in second tray

Better? Please advise. Thank you.

This post has been edited by ASAP: Apr 17 2009, 07:33 AM

For DDR3 MacPro, you better off stick to triple channel.
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal02.html

Looking for crucial rams here, anybody know where I can get any?

anyone know where can i get corsair or mushkin or crucial for reasonable price in malaysia?

I am using DDR2 Mac Pro in 2008, Not Nahelem

A little confusion here.... You mentioned early 2009 Mac Pro, so wei have to post a Barefeat RAM reference for DDR3...

Anyway, do you actually require that much amount of RAM....?

Else just stick the 4x4GB on an A1-A2, B1-B2 quad-channel configuration. If you need more than 16GB, get another matching pair of 2GB and slot it together with the existing 2GB modules on A3-A4, B3-B4 configuration... That gives you a whopping 24GB RAM...

If you google around, you get plenty of information regarding FB-DIMM arrangements on pre-Nehalem MPs. I've even read that performance on memory bandwidth ain't good for 2- and 6-module configurations.

PS: That's tray A and B...

This post has been edited by Eithanius: Apr 17 2009, 12:37 AM

Sorry my mistake. It is 2008 model

For FB-DIMM models, go for quad channel, meaning use 8 identical FB-DIMM if possible. Else go for 2 + 2.

ie: 8x 1GB will have better performance vs 512MB x4 + 1GB x2 + 2GB x2.

Thanks for the info. Hence, I have 4 stick of 4 gb ram =16 gb ram will perform better than 4 sticks x 4gb + 2 sticks of 1gb + 2 stick of 2gb = 22gb ram? Thanks

a have one doubt... usually OS with 32bit support up to 4GB of RAMS only right? does this also apply to MAC? or just for window? tell me more ya...

To be precise 3.5GB.I think MAC does apply too.

but why i saw ppl selling 8GB upgrade form website to Macbook Pro? another thing is... Macbook Pro using DDR3? or DDR2?

Macbook pro use DDR3.OS-X have 2 version same as windows too.32bit and 64bit.You can check from Apple website.

This post has been edited by Wyldemdd: Apr 18 2009, 03:47 AM