Or do you have to have another stick of the EXACT same RAM (same brand, type, size--EVERYTHING)? I have a 17" Macbook Pro 2.16 GHz Core Duo. Recommendations of really good brands welcome. Crucial is probably the most popular and best selling from what i have heard.
2006-12-25 16:16:44 · 8 answers · asked by freethinker 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Yes, you will need to match the RAM in order to get the Dual Channel mode.
I will advice to seek the manufacter for the advice on your RAM.
It help to min the error you pay on buying the wrong RAM.
2006-12-25 16:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by David Fhu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that, for non-OEM desktop PC's at least, it is possible to mix equal capacity RAM into dual channel mode (probably both modules need to have the same quantity & capacity of chips though - ie both either single or double sided).
However, I and most people would strongly recommend only using 'matched pairs' of quality-brand ram - these have been designed and tested by the manufacturer to work properly together. RAM can be pretty tricky and I have seen quite a few problems arise when using mixed ram of various types...
Furthermore it should be remembered that OEM manufacturers, and probably most particularly Apple, can have quite severe compatibility limitations, meaning that there may be limited choice on what brand and size modules will work with your system. Major manufacturers like Corsair and Apacer have compatibility guides that will help you select suitable memory. Notebook memory is also has a different profile and socket to Desktop memory and the two are not compatible, making things more difficult for you!
2006-12-25 17:14:53 · answer #2 · answered by timmoi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it should be a matched pair from the factory. RAM is made in "runs" with a series of RAM chips almost identical to each other in series. Each has a series number on it that should be within a couple numbers to be a matched pair. A matched pair of RAM chips are more likely to be "seen" in the hardware as two identical paths of information that can split the data into "channels" to effect a quicker path. The brand name is a fallacy because there are only 3 plants in the entire world that make RAM. As long as the numbers of speed, voltage, and timing are compatible with your system, virtually any name will work. Manufacturer recommendations are mainly RAM that has generic numbers for many systems and is likely to work in a wider range of applications, but is not "tuned" for maximum output that could make the system less stable.
2006-12-25 16:38:25 · answer #3 · answered by FLHRCI 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would suggest buying pre paired RAM, this covers all the elements, and since the RAM has been pretested, you're pretty much guaranteed best performance.
You can buy and pair different sticks - but you need to match all the elements (except brand... but even then I'd suggest same brand).
-dh
2006-12-25 16:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the speed of memory and if the 2x1GB is dual channel it would be quicker than 4x512MB without dual channel. BEWARE never mix different sized memory!
2016-05-23 07:00:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A single stick also supports DDR.... you don't need 2 sticks to enable DDR. Only see that your motherboard and RAM stick support it. Crucial is OK.
2006-12-25 16:21:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
the same #'s, brand shouldn't matter. MB & MHz is what matters.
2006-12-25 16:20:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no
2006-12-25 16:20:04 · answer #8 · answered by James 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋