Upgrading Memory to 6Gb RAM

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MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261

Non-Unibody, Core Duo & Core 2 Duo Processors

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Claus Hopstock @hopper

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Upgrading Memory to 6Gb RAM

I am currently considering to install a memory upgrade in my 17 inch 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo "Merom" MacBook Pro. I have read the tutorial on this site where it states that I can choose 1 2GB block and 1 4Gb block and everything should be fine. However Mactracker on my MacBook Pro reports that 6Gb can be installed, but only 4GB will be used by the Mac. Precisely it states:

Maximum Memory 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)

So my question is: Can I actually upgrade to 6Gb of usable RAM in this machine?

FYI:

The MBP (A1229) has now been performing flawlessly with the upgrade to 6Gb RAM for 9 months. There has not been one single issue that could be attributed to the upgrade (or any other issues for that matter, this machine has been remarkably stable since I bought it in october 2007). I have not run any tests (like Geekbench), as I have no data from the machine before the upgrade. Judging from my daily use however, I would estimate an increase in performance of approximately 60 to 75%. I am now considering an upgrade to a 250GB SSD and will hopefully be able to post results from this upgrade in the near future.

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Haven't tried with 2x4GB, but it is apparently it's not possible for the A1229 to address more than 6GB:

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/?ca...

It would be interesting to test though, I will try to locate a proper technical reference to make the case clear.

4 de jul de 2013 por Claus Hopstock

If I remember correctly the Penryn North Bridge chip had a problem way back then and was limited to 6GB. Intel did issue a fixed version but I don't think Apple ever altered the firmware as the risk of someone with the older chip could have problems. Which is why you need a mixed set.

Unlike the video RAM allocation issue in the older MacBook models, there you could only address 3 GB of 4 GB installed but in that case using a matched set gave you interleaved memory if you could installed a pair of 2 GB modules and yet still could access the limit of 3 GB.

22 de mai de 2016 por Dan

hi, i have tried installing 2x4gb ram in my macbook pro 17 2007 model..but it didn't work...so max upgrade is 6gb only

13 de fev de 2018 por Satya Srinivas Mudapaka

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Haven't tried with 2x4GB, but it is apparently it's not possible for the A1229 to address more than 6GB:

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/?ca...

It would be interesting to test though, I will try to locate a proper technical reference to make the case clear. — Claus Hopstock
If I remember correctly the Penryn North Bridge chip had a problem way back then and was limited to 6GB. Intel did issue a fixed version but I don't think Apple ever altered the firmware as the risk of someone with the older chip could have problems. Which is why you need a mixed set.

Unlike the video RAM allocation issue in the older MacBook models, there you could only address 3 GB of 4 GB installed but in that case using a matched set gave you interleaved memory if you could installed a pair of 2 GB modules and yet still could access the limit of 3 GB. — Dan
hi, i have tried installing 2x4gb ram in my macbook pro 17 2007 model..but it didn't work...so max upgrade is 6gb only — Satya Srinivas Mudapaka

mayer @mayer Rep: 685,2 mil MacHale Enterprises 3,4 mil 1,1 mil 2,6 mil · Answer 1 · 2012-06-26T07:13:51-07:00

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mayer @mayer

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Supports 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM.

Standard RAM: 2 GB Maximum RAM: 6 GB*

Details: 2 GB installed as two 1 GB modules. No slots free.

*Apple officially supports a maximum of 4 GB of RAM but third-parties have been able to upgrade the system to 6 GB of RAM using one 2 GB and one 4 GB memory module.

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Thanks a bunch for the prompt answer, my main concern is that upgrading to 6Gb using unmatched RAM (not 2x3GB) will affect the systems stability. I would be very pleased if anyone has a comment about this.

26 de jun de 2012 por Claus Hopstock

You lose interleaving by having unmatched pairs but the off set of more RAM makes that of little consequence. I haven't seen any reports of system instability with unmatched pairs.

26 de jun de 2012 por mayer

Thanks a lot, will order 4GB block ASAP

26 de jun de 2012 por Claus Hopstock

did it work?

12 de ago de 2012 por myke floden

The MacBook Pro A1229 performs flawlessly with the 6GB RAM. Not a single problem has experienced, that can be ascribed to this setup.

22 de mai de 2016 por Claus Hopstock

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Carlos Augusto @carlosaugu19583 Rep: 323 3 5 1 · Answer 2 · 2013-05-24T11:31:01-07:00

Carlos Augusto @carlosaugu19583

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My system works with 6GB (one 2 GB & one 4 GB).

I wonder if it's possible to use in 8GB - two 4 GB modules?

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Please check out there very helpfull comment from Dan, in you wan't an in-depth explanation. the short answer is: No, this is not possible due to the firmware. 6 GB is max.

22 de mai de 2016 por Claus Hopstock

max ram is 6gb only....8gb won't work i tried doing it...

13 de fev de 2018 por Satya Srinivas Mudapaka

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MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261

Upgrading Memory to 6Gb RAM

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