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    Speed of RAM vs Quantity of RAM

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by schwann, Oct 16, 2008.

  1. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    So I have 4 gigabytes (2x2) of Crucial notebook memory to maybe use in my new Aluminum Macbook.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148201

    I got it for only less than $30 and I can sell it for more on ebay, but I was wondering if it's worth switching out the DDR3 2GB for this slower DDR2 4GB.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  2. Eluzion

    Eluzion Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    You can't put DDR2 memory in a DDR3 slot. They're both 240-pin but afaik they are notched different and the voltage is different as well.
     
    Eluzion, Oct 16, 2008
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  3. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    Ah. I see. ****.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  4. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Nope, you can't switch to DDR2.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  5. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    I believe the new Al MB uses 200-pin DDR2 SODIMM, thats why you bought that.

    But as said, you can't install a DDR3 module in a DDR2 connector. The connectors are totally different.
    (204-pin vs 200-pin)

    Speed of RAM doesn't matter much. Size of RAM matters, if the tasks you run use the whole physical memory available and go ahead to use the paging file.

    Users mostly upgrade their RAM in order to avoid the HDD being used for cache which is like 1000x slower than RAM.
     
    Andy, Oct 16, 2008
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  6. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Andy, the new MB and MBP use DDR3.

    Though honestly, I wonder why. It's a minute difference, but a big price increase.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  7. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  8. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Oh, ok. Then the OP cannot install a DDR2 module in a DDR3 socket. :p

    BTW, memory frequency and latency don't matter, unless you run memory-intensive tasks often.

    Go for Patriot/Crucial if your MBP uses DDR3.
     
    Andy, Oct 16, 2008
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  9. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    I'd go with anything but crucial. They make terrible ram IME.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  10. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    which one do you suggest then?
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  11. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Technically, the OCZ, Patriot and Crucial modules are the same. They use the same memory chips manufactured by Micron Technology (also the best). Crucial is best for after-sales support.
    G.Skill uses Samsung memory chips.
     
    Andy, Oct 16, 2008
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  12. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    I guess I'll go with the Crucial then. Probably will spend ~100 to upgrade to 4 gb after selling 2 GB in macbook.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  13. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    I thought OCZ was Samsung? Really, there are not that many company's making RAM, most are just re branded.

    I wish they could just put 1 2gb stick in so all you would have to do is buy and put another 2gb stick in. :( I'm going to wait for a sale before I upgrade.
     
    Seshan, Oct 16, 2008
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  14. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    I didn't think OCZ was in that boat. I know Micron owns Crucial. I've never had luck with the Crucial Ballistix ram... had a few sticks... they all went bad fairly quickly.

    Don't remember what I use in my MBP, but in my desktop I have the OCZ heatpipe ram. Works good so far.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  15. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    They do have 1 2GB stick in there. I we'd just have to buy the same exact model for dual channel. Does anyone know what specific model of RAM they use in there?
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  16. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    I've been using G. Skill in my Dell for two years with no issues. Seems it was pretty popular with the previous Macbook as well.
     
    Paul, Oct 16, 2008
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  17. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    It makes more sense that it would be Samsung. OCZ sells their SSD drives which are made by samsung.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  18. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    Anyone know what the aluminum macbook uses so maybe people who want to upgrade can just go find 2gb of it?
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  19. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Not sure. I've seen MBP that had Samsung, others had Hynix. Unsure what they'll use for DDR3 though.

    *edit*

    The Macs have 2x1gb configs. So you'd want to go replace both the sticks, not just a single one.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  20. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    You can't they us 2x1gb.
     
    Seshan, Oct 16, 2008
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  21. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    I think maybe he was thinking that the MB used a 1x2gb config.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  22. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    Ah shoot. Misread their page. I'm an idiot.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  23. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Crucial is a brand of Lexar Media, which is a subsidiary of Micron Tech.

    Patriot and OCZ use chips manufactured by Micron.

    Hynix/Nanya modules are available to OEMs.
     
    Andy, Oct 16, 2008
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  24. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    I found this info from a PDF from www.apcmag.com it's for a Macbook.
    Memory:
    BANK 0/DIMM0:
    Size: 1 GB
    Type: DDR3
    Speed: 1067 MHz
    Status: OK
    Manufacturer: 0x80CE
    Part Number: 42323837344448312D4346382020

    BANK 0/DIMM1:
    Size: 1 GB
    Type: DDR3
    Speed: 1067 MHz
    Status: OK
    Manufacturer: 0x80CE
    Part Number: 42323837344448312D4346382020
     
    Seshan, Oct 16, 2008
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  25. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    Actually, is 2GB enough to run Vista? If it's fine then I don't think I need to upgrade.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
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  26. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Yes, but you'll probably want 4.
     
    hollownail, Oct 16, 2008
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  27. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Yes (for 4gig -> 64-bit)
     
    Andy, Oct 16, 2008
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  28. schwann

    schwann Notebook Consultant

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    I'll be running only 32 bit vista. I'll just hold off the upgrade until I need it. Good information for future references though.
     
    schwann, Oct 16, 2008
    #28