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    Combining 1gb stick with 2gb stick on MBP 13.3"

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by gamers21, Nov 19, 2009.

  1. gamers21

    gamers21 Newbie

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    Hello,

    I got a MBP 13" 2.26ghz with 2x 1gb RAM. I was thinking of buying just 1 2gb ram and install it on my MBP so total it's gonna be 3gb RAM.
    So, I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried using different size RAM together? I know it's not advisable to do that due to possible instability in performance. But I would like to get some opinion from experienced user.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    gamers21, Nov 19, 2009
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's fine.
     
    sgogeta4, Nov 19, 2009
    #2
  3. PopRoxMimo3

    PopRoxMimo3 Notebook Deity

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    1. install 2gb x1
    2. sell 1gb x2
    3.
    4. Profit
     
    PopRoxMimo3, Nov 21, 2009
    #3
  4. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    You will have no issues using a 2GB stick and a 1GB stick together in your Macbook.

     
    Budding, Nov 21, 2009
    #4
  5. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    No stability issues.
    If the motherboard support Asymmetrical Double Data Rate it will run at DDR speeds if not it will run at the non-DDR speed.
    My guess is if it is Intel Motherboard usually it supports Asymmetrical Double Data Rate (Those older Macbooks with Intel GMA), nForce board may not (The new 9400M G boards).

    PS:Budding what is with the "I will let Weinter off"? Usually I am an objective person who respond to the topic if it is troubleshooting, no point shooting off at branding because the User already has that laptop and needs the problem solved.
     
    weinter, Nov 21, 2009
    #5
  6. gamers21

    gamers21 Newbie

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    thank you all for the reply. Now im just going to buy 1 2gb stick.


    Best regards.
     
    gamers21, Nov 22, 2009
    #6
  7. kentl901

    kentl901 Notebook Consultant

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    So I'm just curious... in the same position as the OP.

    I had the 13.3" unibody Macbook w/ 9400M graphics.

    Can anyone tell me if the RAM will run at full speed if I have the 1GB + 2GB set up.

    I have Windows 7 32 bit installed, so I don't have the incentives to get 2 sticks of 2GB.

    Thanks!
     
    kentl901, Nov 23, 2009
    #7
  8. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    The RAM will run at the lowest speed of the two sticks if the speed of each stick is different, and you will not be able to fully benefit from dual channel. However, the performance hit would not be to a noticeable extent.
     
    Budding, Nov 23, 2009
    #8
  9. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    Now the real question, do you lose dual channel ram functionality with a 1+2 setup or does this model have a chipset that supports asymmetric dual channel?
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Nov 23, 2009
    #9
  10. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    For dual channel to work the ram needs to be the same capacity. Best performance with matching chips who's speed is matched.
     
    blue68f100, Nov 23, 2009
    #10
  11. kojack

    kojack Notebook Prophet

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    The only thing I would think of is dual channel memory...do mac have dual channel? if so, then put the 2gig in, sell the 2 1 gigs, and get another 2 gig later, your machine will feel much livlier then.
     
    kojack, Nov 23, 2009
    #11