Will DDR2 for an Apple notebook work in a PC notebook?

[Muse]

I bought a couple of SODIMMs for my Acer Aspire 6530-6522 Laptop yesterday off ebay. The listing specified that it was for an Apple notebook but the pictured RAM's part number (if correct!) indicates that it will work in a PC notebook. However, today I realize that maybe the seller's pictures were not of the RAM for sale, and now I wonder if I don't have a problem.

The ebay auction is here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150410623852&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123#shId

Newegg sells this, which might be what it actually is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231159&cm_re=G.SKILL_DDR2_2GB-_-20-231-159-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-159-_-Product

What I figured I was getting is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231147&Tpk=g.skill%20F2-5300CL5S-2GBSQ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5300CL5S-2GBSQ

Would that apple notebook memory work in my Acer Aspire 6530-6522 Laptop?

 

[ViviTheMage]

NOT 100% sure, here's the link to g.skill :

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=149

Might be worth asking them? I can't find anyone who actually put that memory in a PC/windows machine.

 

[Muse]

NOT 100% sure, here's the link to g.skill :

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=149

Might be worth asking them? I can't find anyone who actually put that memory in a PC/windows machine.

Yeah, the spec looks the same as the SODIMMs they put in PC laptops. There may be no real difference or so subtle it wouldn't matter. Of course I suppose the acid test would be to insert it and see what happens. Maybe I should do some benchmarking with the 3 GB I have in there now and see what benchmarks I get with the G.SKILL assuming it works in the machine. I sent the seller an email asking them if the picture they had for the items was of the actual items. No response yet. The auction ended less than 24 hours ago so maybe they haven't sent it yet. I guess worst comes to worst I resell it. :\

 

[ViviTheMage]

They actually link to the Mac version of the memory to newegg, also pulled neweggs picture, and facts, so I don't think it's anything other then a set of :

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Memory For Apple Notebook Model FA-5300CL5D-4GBSQ

 

[Muse]

They actually link to the Mac version of the memory to newegg, also pulled neweggs picture, and facts, so I don't think it's anything other then a set of :

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Memory For Apple Notebook Model FA-5300CL5D-4GBSQ

Damn, I didn't realize that was a link and I never hit it before. I suppose it is the Mac memory. Why did he put a picture of PC memory on it? Argh!

Edit: Well, maybe it will work in my PC laptop. I registered at G.SKILL Forums to post the question but after confirming my registration it said they need a moderator to approve my registration before I can post. Still waiting on that.

 

[Emulex]

mac memory lol. i've been running standard ddr2 sodimm in my imac for years

 

[Muse]

mac memory lol. i've been running standard ddr2 sodimm in my imac for years

Ah, OK, so will it work the other way around? IOW, will "Apple" memory run in my PC laptop?

 

[Emulex]

yup. just make sure your laptop doesn't require ddr2-800. pop open the case and see what you got. most laptops recently had ddr2-800 Cl6 but if the fsb is only 667 then CL5 should work good.

 

[Muse]

yup. just make sure your laptop doesn't require ddr2-800. pop open the case and see what you got. most laptops recently had ddr2-800 Cl6 but if the fsb is only 667 then CL5 should work good.

At Acer's page for this lappy it says:

3GB (2/1) DDR2 667 SDRAM

I presume it will work.

Still haven't popped open the case. Never have opened a laptop yet. I'm sure it's simple and nothing intimidating, but I haven't even looked for the screws yet. Just a virgin. :awe:

 

[taisingera]

I bought some Mac labeled Corsair and use it in my Thinkpad, no problems.

 

[Muse]

They actually link to the Mac version of the memory to newegg, also pulled neweggs picture, and facts, so I don't think it's anything other then a set of :

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Memory For Apple Notebook Model FA-5300CL5D-4GBSQ

Well, the DDR2 arrived today and it's no other than what they displayed in the photo, i.e. this at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-CPC-_-NA-_-NA

G.SKILL 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Laptop Memory Model F2-5300CL5S-2GBSQ

Seems strange they they would link to the wrong Newegg page and describe the RAM as for Apple. Indeed, it is not. I suppose it had been used in an Apple. The seller didn't respond to my post-auction inquiries, but I'm happy enough with what I got. Haven't had a chance to open the laptop and insert it and test yet. Looks good, though. Hopefully it will work OK in the machine. If not, I can maybe use it in the server machine I'm planning to put together, although that will likely use up to DDR2-800.

 

[Emulex]

the mac tax is lame - folks pay more for mac anything - and they do it. otherwise their precious will blow up in flames. lol. i love it.

 

[Muse]

the mac tax is lame - folks pay more for mac anything - and they do it. otherwise their precious will blow up in flames. lol. i love it.

I've always felt the same way. I've never bought Apple anything. I'm subscribed at Anythingbutipod Forums. :biggrin:

I just installed the 4GB DDR2. System says I have 4GB, but in Task Manager/Performance it says I have Physical Memory/Total: 3037 MB. I guess I'm going to have to keep my feelers out for a Windows 7 64 bit install disk. I have the key but my install disk is 32 bit.

Is there some way I can test the DDR2? I got a crash a few minutes ago while Firefox was loading (12 windows, probably hundreds of tabs). I still have occasional lag in Firefox, I know that's a different issue, almost for sure a problem with Firefox code/architecture.

 

[Emulex]

windows 7 and 2008/R2 have built in ram test feature.

 

[imagoon]

Main diff between "Mac Memory" and "PC memory" is the little black 'apple' logo on the chip label. Heck the new apple system boards are made my the same companies that make PC boards now using the same parts.

 

[imagoon]

I have the key but my install disk is 32 bit.

/shiftyeyed... My 32-bit code worked in a my 64-bit disk

 

[Muse]

/shiftyeyed... My 32-bit code worked in a my 64-bit disk

Yeah, but I don't have a 64 bit disk. I may know someone who does but I don't know who they'd be. I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe I can torrent a copy?

Edit: I have Vista Home Premium 32 bit on the machine right now. I also have a Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit upgrade disk with key. Will that key work with disk for Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate? Or do I have to stick with "Home Premium" for the key to work?

 

[imagoon]

Yeah, but I don't have a 64 bit disk. I may know someone who does but I don't know who they'd be. I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe I can torrent a copy?

Edit: I have Vista Home Premium 32 bit on the machine right now. I also have a Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit upgrade disk with key. Will that key work with disk for Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate? Or do I have to stick with "Home Premium" for the key to work?

Windows 7 installs to what the key says it should be. All of the versions exist on one disk, which files and settings that get applied are based on the key. That is why you can upgrade to ultimate from a home key just buy plugging the key in.

EDIT: Actually as a side note I know that was true for the Ultimate/enterprise disks that I used...

 

[Muse]

Windows 7 installs to what the key says it should be. All of the versions exist on one disk, which files and settings that get applied are based on the key. That is why you can upgrade to ultimate from a home key just buy plugging the key in.

EDIT: Actually as a side note I know that was true for the Ultimate/enterprise disks that I used...

Ah, well I'm confused now. You are saying that the install disks are all the same, evidently, and that the version you wind up with depends on what key you use? Well, I'm told that I need a 64 bit install disk to get 64 bit, so I'm hunting for one. My current install disk is 32 bit. Can somebody demystify this stuff?

Edit: BTW, I got the 2x 2GB DDR2 and installed it and the systems sees the 4GB RAM. However, the OS only shows ~3GB usable memory in my Vista Home Premium 32 bit that's currently the installed OS.

 

[imagoon]

Ah, well I'm confused now. You are saying that the install disks are all the same, evidently, and that the version you wind up with depends on what key you use? Well, I'm told that I need a 64 bit install disk to get 64 bit, so I'm hunting for one. My current install disk is 32 bit. Can somebody demystify this stuff?

Edit: BTW, I got the 2x 2GB DDR2 and installed it and the systems sees the 4GB RAM. However, the OS only shows ~3GB usable memory in my Vista Home Premium 32 bit that's currently the installed OS.

Sorry I mean "per 32 bit / 64 bit" Basically the 32 bit version can install all of the 32 bit versions, home basic to ultimate. Same with the 64 bit disk.

If you can get a virgin disk of the right "bits" you should be able to install with that key.

 

[Muse]

Sorry I mean "per 32 bit / 64 bit" Basically the 32 bit version can install all of the 32 bit versions, home basic to ultimate. Same with the 64 bit disk.

If you can get a virgin disk of the right "bits" you should be able to install with that key.

Thank you, yeah I get it. I went looking for torrent the other day and started one but I got zero bits after ~ an hour.