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    MAC RAM in a PC?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by kosti, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    I found some cheap G.Skill RAM (FA-1333C9D-16GSQ). It's a DDR3 kit, 2x8GB and 1333MHz which should be fine for my Alienware M15X. It's advertised as MAC Ram though. Are there any mechanical differences between MAC and PC Ram or is the MAC Ram just the same but tested to work on the more picky MACs? Anyone running "MAC" RAM in a PC? Thanks in advance for any input.
     
    kosti, Apr 5, 2016
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  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    It's the same RAM. Sellers often have multiple listings for the same modules with slightly different words so their listings will be found whatever people search for. They might even have different prices.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Apr 5, 2016
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  3. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thank you. Actually, this isn't from an auction listing. The RAM is actually advertised by G.Skill themselves as MAC RAM, and I notice lots of RAM makers doing the same. Just wondering if there are any real differences with these MAC modules and standard RAM modules. I suspect they are the same, just certified for Apple.

    http://www.gskill.com/en/product/fa-1333c9d-16gsq
     
    kosti, Apr 5, 2016
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Comparing the specification here and here reveals that the Apple modules are 1.5V while the standard modules are 1.35V.

    What RAM is in your M15X (CPU-Z will give the details)? I would guess, from the age, it is 1.5V RAM.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Apr 5, 2016
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  5. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, correct, stock RAM is 1.5V for my M15X.
     
    kosti, Apr 5, 2016
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  6. triturbo

    triturbo Long live 16:10 and MXM-B

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    @pipkata tested Mac modules in 8740w (same generation as yours), they worked fine.
     
    triturbo, Apr 5, 2016
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  7. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    RAM is RAM is RAM to put it simply. As long as it's the right form factor, voltage and DDR revision, it will fit. DDR3 SODIMMs are the same regardless of whether they were initially meant for a mac,a Windows or Linux computer for example.
     
    tijo, Apr 5, 2016
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  8. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Normally, I would agree. But this the fruity company we're talking about.

    They might just make it 0.5mm bigger or smaller in each dimension and call it magical, right after they introduce it, of course. :)

     
    tilleroftheearth, Apr 6, 2016
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  9. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    But then it wouldn't be so-dimm anymore :p
     
    KLF, Apr 6, 2016
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  10. triturbo

    triturbo Long live 16:10 and MXM-B

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    Could be software incompatibility. All modules come with EEPROM, that could easily say "I wont work here" and be done with it.
     
    triturbo, Apr 6, 2016
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  11. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Mac RAM can be a bit finky.. My M17x R4 didn't work too well with Mac RAM, was a pain to switch between Optimus and dedicated as I would get RAM error beep problems... If I stayed in 1 mode, worked perfectly fine for months...
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
    TomJGX, Apr 6, 2016
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  12. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    A 'bit finky' isn't the right term. In applespeak, that, right there, is the 'magical' part.

    ;)

     
    tilleroftheearth, Apr 7, 2016
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