Last unibody white macbook - RAM questions
It currently has 2GB installed in 2 sticks of 1GB. Would you go for 4GB by way of 2x2, or 5GB with 1 4GB and 1 1GB stick, both for the same price? Does it support asynchronous dual channel? If not, is the performance impact from going down to single channel more than the impact of going from 4GB to 5?
Comments
I'd go 2x4GB before the price of RAM for it goes up even more.
The benefits of matched sticks is negligible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
I'd go 2x4GB before the price of RAM for it goes up even more.
The benefits of matched sticks is negligible.
If it were mine I would, it's my sisters and she just does a lot of essays and some microscope slides etc on it, nothing that would need 8GB. And 8GB at least in Canada for branded RAM sticks is at least 80 dollars plus tax, something she isn't willing to pay.
For the second part, thanks, so 5GB single channel would be better than 4GB dual you think? Mountain Lion is such a dog on 2GB.
The machine has integrated graphics so it shares the main memory. There have been tests that show there's a performance hit if you don't use matched memory. I can't remember exactly how it impacted performance but it was at least 10%. Apple recommends using matched memory:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3246
"For best graphics performance your computer should have two same-size SO-DIMMs installed, one in each slot. When memory is installed in your Mac in same size pairs, the computer gains some performance benefits from the memory being interleaved. If you upgrade the memory in your Mac, make sure you have matching SO-DIMMs (both in memory size and speed) in each slot for the best graphics performance. Systems with integrated memory already benefit from having matched pairs of memory installed"
Given that 8GB is too expensive, I'd say 2x4GB would be the best option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
The machine has integrated graphics so it shares the main memory. There have been tests that show there's a performance hit if you don't use matched memory. I can't remember exactly how it impacted performance but it was at least 10%. Apple recommends using matched memory:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3246
"For best graphics performance your computer should have two same-size SO-DIMMs installed, one in each slot. When memory is installed in your Mac in same size pairs, the computer gains some performance benefits from the memory being interleaved. If you upgrade the memory in your Mac, make sure you have matching SO-DIMMs (both in memory size and speed) in each slot for the best graphics performance. Systems with integrated memory already benefit from having matched pairs of memory installed"
Given that 8GB is too expensive, I'd say 2x4GB would be the best option.
Can the 320m chipset support asynchronous dual channel like Intel chipsets can though? Those can use two mismatched sticks in dual channel, there is a performance drop from matched sticks but the performance drop from that would be much smaller than if it was just straight single channel like older chipsets.
I'm not sure if it does but if it ends up dropping to single channel, there will be a performance hit somewhere:
http://www.barefeats.com/mincd.html
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/Mini_Intel_Memory_Benchmarks
It's just a safer bet. Of course, 4+1 does give you the option to get another 4GB later on so if you'd be willing to risk the small hit for that benefit, then that shouldn't be a problem. If the intention is not to upgrade the RAM again, I'd go with 2+2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
I'm not sure if it does but if it ends up dropping to single channel, there will be a performance hit somewhere:
http://www.barefeats.com/mincd.html
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/Mini_Intel_Memory_Benchmarks
It's just a safer bet. Of course, 4+1 does give you the option to get another 4GB later on so if you'd be willing to risk the small hit for that benefit, then that shouldn't be a problem. If the intention is not to upgrade the RAM again, I'd go with 2+2.
Yeah, that was my other thought. Plus this laptop is my sisters and is used just for her university work, nothing graphics chip intensive like games or rendering etc. 5GB now will allow a future upgrade to 8GB later without throwing out those 2x2 ram sticks that I would have to if I got them now. An OS revision or two down the line 8GB might be a neccessary upgrade given how fat OSX is getting, snow leopard was gold on 2GB but Lion and Mountain Lion are dogs. Windows 7 and 8 work fine on 2GB interestingly.