How sensitive is this Mac to RAM upgrades?
When I got my 2011 Pro, I got it cheap due to multiple things. One of those things that needs attention before anything else is the RAM - mine only came with 4GB :-(. It runs okay if I watch what I leave open, but if I push it I can tell it’s a 4GB system since it has to resort to the hard drive for virtual memory.
I know how to install the RAM, but I need to know what I can get away with. I know my machine will only ever run anything I put in at 1333MHz, but you cannot find anything other then 1600MHz in many cases on the open market as this is the common speed most systems use now. I am okay with these modules as I know it’ll just run with a downclock and be cheaper then getting a 1333MHz set (plus I know where to backtrack from if I have issues and I’ll keep the stock ones just in case as I am taking a chance), but I need to know how it’ll play out with DDR3L.
How do these systems behave when DDR3L (1.5 compatible) is installed? I suspect it’ll jut downclock to 1.5V to accomodate my system, but do I need to limit the brands I pick from? On the PC side I can play Russian roulette and mix modules, but I understand this will probably not work on a Mac as these can be picky about such tricks - plus any of my loose DDR3 (or memory I’m okay with moving) is either a mixed speed pair I gambled on with a PC and won there (and will probably lose on a Mac or I use the system) or 1066MHz 2GB modules that aren’t viable to bring this up to an acceptable amount of memory.
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3 comentarios
I'd recommend going for memory that's been thoroughly tested with Macs. As @benjamen50 said already, Macs are a bit picky. Since price has gone down quite a bit lately, I'd go straight for 16GB that cost little more than the 8GB pack. I've tried the cheapest on Amazon that is Qumox branded, works nice, best pick IMHO.
- de arbaman
@arbaman This memory (16GB DDR3L 1600) is reported to work on Macs. Confirmed on a MBP 2012 and a iMac.
- de Nick
@nick It seems Amazon offers quite different products in USA and EU, I can't find that RAM here and it seems the one I bought here is not available over there. However I purchased some Silicon Power SSDs and I was very pleased with my purchase, price/quality ratio was absolutely fine, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase their RAM at that price if it was available.
- de arbaman