Mac RAM Question

[Saga]

Alright, looking on newegg.com, I want to buy a gig of RAM for my MacBook (not MacBook Pro). The website is: http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCa ... Mac-Memory

Now, the retailer told me when I bought it that if I wanted a gig of RAM, I'd need two 512 sticks. Right now I have 512 MB, running off two 256's. Question being, do I NEED two 512 sticks of RAM in order to get a gig? Or can I just buy a stick of 1GB and mix/match with my 256 stick?

Also, which would you guys reccomend for either situation? I know shit when it comes to buying memory.

[SephYuyX]

I dont know anything about Mac RAM.. but yes, there are some mobos/ram (for PCs atleast) that only work when paired together.

Normal DDR you can have one, but Dual Channel DDRs you have to have two. Like I said though, I dont know if this holds true with a Mac though.

My suggestion would be to go to corsair.com or mushkin.com and look up your computer and what it can handle.


Edit: As far as a RAM suggestion.. 2 Dual Channel 512 ram is better than 1 DDR 1gb, but it just depends if your Mac can handle Dual Channel or not.

[Saga]

Wonderful, thank you.

[Saga]

Okay, I hit up mushkin.com, it came up with this when I searched for my computer:

Apple MacBook 13.3-inch 1.83GHz (MA254LL/A)

System Memory Type: DDR2 SODIMM
Maximum System Memory: 2048MB
Maximum Module Size: 1024MB

PerfectMatch Apple Memory


971504A DDR2 SODIMM PC5300 Apple OE 1GB


971513A DDR2 SODIMM PC5300 Apple OE 512MB

So does that mean I can buy a stick of the 1GB and be fine? Not have to worry about buying two of the same? And btw, amazing fucking prices, haven't been able to find any sticks below 100 bucks (1GB at least) until now, and the 512 is piss cheap too.

[budd]

Either configuration will work.

With your current setup you could buy a 1gb stick and have 1.25gb of ram, but lose the dual channel ability, or buy 2 512 sticks, have 1gb of total ram, and have dual channel.

Your choice, people say the performance is negligible between the 2. I'd probably go for the 1.25gb of ram, it's worth it.

[SephYuyX]

Ok, I just searched your comp: http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgr ... ?cid=30720

The Apple MacBook 13.3-inch 1.83GHz (MA254LL/A White) requires memory in each Bank to be installed in pairs or a Kit. To make it easier for you to install memory that will be compatible, the memory modules available for purchase above are sold in Kits. A Kit is comprised of 2 memory modules. For example, a 256MB Kit has (2) 128MB modules and a 1GB Kit has (2) 512MB modules.

So after reading that it looks like youll have to get two, theres a possibility that only one would work.. but its hit and miss.. Question.. you have two in your mac right now, right? Take one out and see if it still works.

[Saga]

Going to the gym now, gonna take out one and see if it works when I get back. Thanks for the help so far, much appreciated. I'll try giving the apple store a call, too, though I'm sure they'll tell me to just order the RAM from their site.

And an edit:

Either configuration will work.

With your current setup you could buy a 1gb stick and have 1.25gb of ram, but lose the dual channel ability, or buy 2 512 sticks, have 1gb of total ram, and have dual channel.

Your choice, people say the performance is negligible between the 2. I'd probably go for the 1.25gb of ram, it's worth it.

Budd, are you sure on this? I'll still test my configuration by removing one stick, but if you have firsthand experience that would be wonderful.

[budd]

This website states that MacBooks do not need memory installed in pairs. Apple's website has no information regarding either.

However, from personal experience, since I do Mac repairs often, I can say that it has been my observation that memory does not need to be installed in pairs.

My MacBook Pro (that I'm typing this on) has 1.5gb of memory in a 1gb and 512mb DIMM configuration. My sisters MacBook has 1GB of memory in 2 slots, but came with 1 512mb DIMM.

You should be fine.

For proof:
http://www.ftmfw.org/images/MBPconfig1.png
http://www.ftmfw.org/images/MBPconfig2.png

[MF Perm]

Not sure about MacBooks, but when I bought my iMac and asked them to upgrade it from 1G to 2G, they said they had to put 2 1G chips in. Tried to charge me an arm and a leg but that's another story.

So I don't know if that's just how they have to sell it at the Apple Store, or if that's recommended.

[Saga]

I know on the MacBook _Pro's_ they can mix and match RAM freely, but I've just got a basic MacBook. Since it sounds like your sister's MacBook ran fine on just one 512, I think I'll be okay with grabbing the gig and have 1.25 gigs of RAM. I'll try and do a bit more research, and regarding MF Perm's comment, I'm willing to bet that's how apple has to sell them. It's not very profitable for them if people are buying third party RAM for much cheaper (and not in pairs).

Again, thanks for all the informative responses, I'll do a bit more research and hopefully it'll lead me to buying only 1 stick of RAM.