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.