Macworld Forums: Macbook Memory - Macworld Forums

Hi,



I'm thinking about getting more memory for my macbook. My macbook was purchased in october 2007. It was the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz model with 4mb L2 cache. I am not sure how much memory the macbook can take. Does anyone know what is the max memory the macbook can be installed with and use? Thanks.

hi
4GB ( two 2GB modules ).

But I've heard it is 3 GB, though?

Hi
Sorry about that. I thought your machine was a "Late 2007" instead of the "Mid 2007".

Let me clarify and correct my previous response. Your machine can accept two 2GB modules but will only utilize 3GB. You can tell from the Free and Used memory adding up to ~3GB and not 4GB. I have the black version of the same series and have currently installed two 2GB G.Skill CAS-4 PC2-5300 ( DDR2-667 ) SO-DIMMs.



http://forums.macworld.com/legacyimages/SystemProfiler-Memory.png
http://forums.macworld.com/legacyimages/ActivityMonitor.png

I chose to go two 2GB instead of one 1GB and one 2GB to take advantage of dual-channel ( pairing ), which makes a noticeable improvement but more so on the MacBook due to the chipset graphics ( share system memory ). I chose CAS-4 over CAS-5 to up the performance even a bit more.

P.S. Plus I replaced my original 5,400RPM drive with a 7,200RPM HDD and now my machine is nearly maxed. :) :D

Cool, so the mid 2007 macbooks, including the leopard launch date ones, can support 2 GB memory sticks but only use 3GB?



Also, is the link labeled the type of memory you've installed the link to the right kind of memory?

Hi
[quote name='powerbook3']
Cool, so the mid 2007 macbooks, including the leopard launch date ones, can support 2 GB memory sticks but only use 3GB?
[/quote]
Correct. The 3GB limitation has to deal with the 945GM chipset that the machine is using. The Late 2007 and newer models use the 965GM, which doesn't have such a limitation yet.

[quote name='powerbook3']
Also, is the link labeled the type of memory you've installed the link to the right kind of memory?
[/quote]
Correct. It's the exact modules I've been using for the past couple months and haven't had a problem yet...Well, with Vista but that's a WHOLE new story.

Thanks, I'll try that.

What happened to Vista? I happen to use windows in bootcamp.

Hi
This isn't a Mac or other related issue, it is a general Vista issue. I read reports of such but didn't necessarily trust them. Suffice it to say, Vista needs SP1 ( Service Pack 1 ) and a couple other updates to properly understand >3GB. My Vista disc didn't have SP1 ( I thought it did ) and I had major installation issues. Solution is to remove extra memory ( one of the two 2GB in my case ), install Vista, update Vista, and than reinstall additional memory. If your Windows is up-to-date already, you shouldn't have issue.

I purchased memory from Crutchfield and upgrade the MacBook myself to 2GB. Was very straigt forward.

My copy of windows on boot camp is up to date so I guess everything's solved!

Thanks!