Macbook Memory

[dmw16]

I want to upgrade the memory in my macbook. Can I just buy any 2 1GB or 2GB DDR2 PC5300 RAM? Im sure this is a dumb question so I apologize in advance for that 🙂

Also, do I have to match pairs or can I just get 1 2GB stick?

 

[Kmax82]

I've read that you get better performance from having paired RAM, but I'm not sure if it's much more than a few milliseconds faster access, or not.

You can buy any brand DDR2, but MAKE SURE it's SO-DIMM (laptop) RAM. Don't get 240-pin desktop memory, as it won't fit. I have personally had good success with Transcend, Corsair, Crucial, and Kingston.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks. I know I need a SO-DIMM I just wasn't sure if I needed apple memory.

 

[Oil]

Any brand will do. My two sticks of Corsair work perfectly

 

[LtPage1]

I'd be very careful with off-brand stuff. Macs are definitely less finicky about poor quality RAM than they used to be, but I'd still stick with brands that you know and trust. I'm a big fan of Kingston, myself.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Go with Corsair, Kingston, or Crucial. I'm using Kingston ram and I've yet to have a single problem. They're pretty cheap too if you go hunt for a deal. Also, ebay is not a bad place to look as well.

 

[Kmax82]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Thanks. I know I need a SO-DIMM I just wasn't sure if I needed apple memory.

Sure.. no prob. Just making sure. 🙂

 

[manly]

If you have a Core 2 Duo MacBook, then just get a single 2GB SO-DIMM. Pre-Santa Rosa C2D MacBooks address up to 3GB RAM, even though Apple's official spec says 2GB maximum.

Dual-channel 2x1GB really isn't that important. As others have mentioned, stick with reputable brands. Funny I should say that since I have A-DATA RAM, which someone said was bottom of the barrel. 🙁

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: manly
If you have a Core 2 Duo MacBook, then just get a single 2GB SO-DIMM. Pre-Santa Rosa C2D MacBooks address up to 3GB RAM, even though Apple's official spec says 2GB maximum.

Dual-channel 2x1GB really isn't that important. As others have mentioned, stick with reputable brands. Funny I should say that since I have A-DATA RAM, which someone said was bottom of the barrel. 🙁

My understanding of the situation was that the official apple specs said that the systems can only accept up to 3GB of RAM, but if one were to drop in a 2*2GB kit, it would register as 3.3GB.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks for the advice. I got a good deal ($26) on ebay for 2x1GB of Samsung branded chips. So we'll see how it goes. Worst case is I am out $26.