Thinking of a 8GB RAM upgrade for 2010 Macbook Pro i7

[Xtreme $niper]

Hi all, I'm looking into possibly upgrading my RAM for my mid-2010 15" Macbook Pro i7 from 4GB to 8GB.

I've been looking around a lot and I found some from vendors like G-Skill, Mushkin, OWC, Crucial, and Corsair. With my old Macbook I upgraded using Corsair "Apple ready" RAM for the sake of eliminating any possible compatibility issues with latency or frequencies, and because it was relatively cheap.

But now, it looks like 4GB sticks of RAM are still some novelty item, because they're still priced pretty high. I found the cheapest set I could get for 2x4GB was just above $200.

My issue is that after narrowing it down to a few options, I read the customer reviews for the models and found that a lot of people were complaining that when they put 2x4GB sticks into their Macbook Pro i7, it would cause flickering and screen tearing issues when the Intel GPU is initialized. Once the Nvidia chip kicked in, the issues would go away.

Even OWC's NuRAM brand has been having issues, but I haven't heard of anything from OWC itself. That said, OWC seems to be the only brand of RAM that hasn't been experiencing problems with this particular model of Macbook Pro. Has anyone here with a Macbook Pro 6,2 upgraded to 8GB of RAM? If so, what vendor (and model num if you know it) and what are your experiences?

For reference, this is the OWC RAM I am contemplating ( http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/ ), but it still seems a little expensive, especially considering I have to factor in USD -> CAD conversion and shipping. Total would probably come out to $250 CAD if customs doesn't add on to that. Just seems kind of lame that I can't just go and buy any stick of RAM and be sure that it works. I guess this is the downside to having a switchable GPU?

[Xtreme $niper]

Seriously? No one has any experiences with 8 GB RAM in a Macbook Pro 6,2? Bah.

[AltecXP]

I have 8GB in my i5 MBP. OWC is just rebranded from another company. There is no reason it's better than any other.

[saxondale.]

Why do you need 8GB?

[AltecXP]

I run Windows and Linux VM's at once. That's my reason.

[Xtreme $niper]

I have 8GB in my i5 MBP. OWC is just rebranded from another company. There is no reason it's better than any other.

Probably, but at least they provide lifetime warranty and I can see user reviews confirming that it works. With other brands, it's a stretch just to find out if it works well on my machine.

Why do you need 8GB?

I'm constantly running Firefox, Mail, iTunes, Skype, (and sometimes The Hit List, TextMate, and Photoshop), while also running VMWare Fusion running Windows 7 (a RAM hogging beast compared to XP) which is running IIS, Visual Studio, and a large Oracle database.

8GB may not even be enough. :laugh:

But seriously, I'm coping with 4GB for now... Just biding my time until I either get more feedback or the prices come down.

[KrAzY FrOg]

Same MBP as you with the i7 and been using 8Gig of GSkill with no issues at all. I run GNS3 on mine so i NEED that additional memory when i lab up several routers.

If interested, I use the following chip (bought two): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265 (currently at $89 each)

[Xtreme $niper]

Same MBP as you with the i7 and been using 8Gig of GSkill with no issues at all. I run GNS3 on mine so i NEED that additional memory when i lab up several routers.

If interested, I use the following chip (bought two): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265 (currently at $89 each)

Thanks for the link. I know that logically, any RAM with similar spec (latency, frequency) should work fine... But I've been turned off by various negative user reviews. I thought I had taken a look at GSkill already and found negative reviews, but this seems to be a different chip since I can't find those reviews on there.

Unfortunately the CAD price is a little higher than the USD, and shipping is not free: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265&Tpk=F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ so I'll have to consider it... It would still end up being cheaper than OWC.

EDIT: From the gallery closeup you can actually see the chip is made by Samsung. Interesting to note. I wonder what benefit they get by rebranding?

[+virtorio MVC]

I've got 8GB of RAM from Strontium (which I'd never heard of) in my 13" MBP and all has been well.

[KrAzY FrOg]

Thanks for the link. I know that logically, any RAM with similar spec (latency, frequency) should work fine... But I've been turned off by various negative user reviews. I thought I had taken a look at GSkill already and found negative reviews, but this seems to be a different chip since I can't find those reviews on there.

Unfortunately the CAD price is a little higher than the USD, and shipping is not free: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265&Tpk=F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ so I'll have to consider it... It would still end up being cheaper than OWC.

EDIT: From the gallery closeup you can actually see the chip is made by Samsung. Interesting to note. I wonder what benefit they get by rebranding?

Yeah, I looked at several myself before buying this set reading the reviews closely from multiple sites, not just Newegg. I found that there are ALOT of MBP owners using this same chip with great success and even noticing improvements compared to the stock memory and other 4GIG chips. As I had said, I have had this memory in mine for about 6 months now and have not had a single issue with the memory, or anything else for that matter ;)

[Xtreme $niper]

Yeah, I looked at several myself before buying this set reading the reviews closely from multiple sites, not just Newegg. I found that there are ALOT of MBP owners using this same chip with great success and even noticing improvements compared to the stock memory and other 4GIG chips. As I had said, I have had this memory in mine for about 6 months now and have not had a single issue with the memory, or anything else for that matter ;)

Hmm, I tried to do some research into some modules but I found no other info about the G.Skill set from anywhere except Newegg. Kind of odd... Could you perhaps link me some of those sites you found?

I have sort of narrowed it down to these three (Keep in mind the Newegg.ca prices are CAD while OWC is USD):

G.SKILL 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265

OWC 8GB PC3-8500 DDR3 1066MHz SO-DIMM Upgrade Kit

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model CT2KIT51264BC1067

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-276 (Except I have found it for much cheaper from a local shop ($220), but I'll have to call tomorrow to ask about availability since it says they are out of stock)

These are the only modules that I have found that have some sort of positive feedback from Macbook Pro i7 users. If I can get the Crucial set for $220, I think I'll jump on that. But the Newegg price is too much for that set, I think.

G.SKILL looks good too... Taxes and shipping included, it comes to $225.74. The cheapest overall because the Crucial set does not include taxes.

The real deal-breaker for me is how much the OWC modules would cost after they go through customs. Has anyone had experience shipping OWC RAM to Canada?

If I can find some more confirmation of Macbook Pro i7 owners with the G.SKILL set, then I'll probably go with that to save some money over the OWC. It's really up in the air right now...

[Xtreme $niper]

So I'm fairly close to pulling the trigger on this one:

G.SKILL 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231265

Reason being is that OWC has unknown costs associated with importing through customs, and the place where I found the Crucial memory for cheaper does not accept returns on memory.

I've never ordered through Newegg.ca before, and on top of that I'm slightly worried because they say that although there is a 30-day return/replacement policy, there is a 15% restocking fee and I would have to pay for shipping if I were to return the item (though the shipment location is close to where I live so I'm not sure how much it might cost).

I've only heard of 3 people who have this RAM for their 2010 MacBook Pro (one here, and two on Newegg) and I'm also slightly concerned that the lifetime warranty might prove to be useless if they go out of business (they don't seem very big and are based on Taiwan), plus RMA shipments after 30 days go to California I think so that will cost a pretty penny.

I'm still holding off while I think about it, but I'm probably over-analyzing the situation...

[Xtreme $niper]

I just noticed that the price for the OWC RAM ( http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/ ) is getting cheaper on a weekly basis. It is now at $229.99 USD.

This is odd, I wonder if it will continue going down or shoot back up? The "original price" is also dropping so this does not seem like a sale.

[Phixion]

Memory prices fluctuate depending on the cost of the materials. Get it whilst it's cheapish, if you wait too long it could shoot up again.

[Xtreme $niper]

Hmm, it's just a tough call because the more I read into OWC, the more I realize that there will be tax (13%) and possible duties and handling fees on top of all that, making the total come to more than $280 (at least). But Canada's customs enforcement on these kinds of things are on-and-off so I'm really unsure of if I want to take the chance.

The only sure-fire bet right now is the G.SKILL RAM I listed above because it's shipped from Newegg.ca's warehouse in Ontario so no customs mess is involved.

G.SKILL vs OWC ... oh man.

[Skulltrail]

I second the G.Skill memory. Forget the negative comments, most are once in a life time situations. People blame the service or the product for their misfortune. Buy the RAM, install it, if it doesn't work, return it. Newegg has a 30-day refund policy.

[twist]

no duty on stuff from newegg.ca, regardless of where they ship it from

[thejohnnyq]

I just upgraded my MacBook Pro i7 to 8gb. Got it from Crucial Technology for $259.99 US. Kingston Memory, I have been reading up, and not read good things about the ram rom NewEgg. I have seen no issues with the memory from Crucial, even have had a few issues clear up. My memory score went from 6.1 to 6.9 with the new ram.

[Xtreme $niper]

I second the G.Skill memory. Forget the negative comments, most are once in a life time situations. People blame the service or the product for their misfortune. Buy the RAM, install it, if it doesn't work, return it. Newegg has a 30-day refund policy.

Thanks for the vote, every opinion counts. But you're right, the refund policy is there. I've just never dealt with RMA processes before so it's kind of confusing to me, and there is a 15% restocking fee as well to consider.

no duty on stuff from newegg.ca, regardless of where they ship it from

Yup, I realize that. I was actually referring to the duties that might be incurred from OWC.

I just upgraded my MacBook Pro i7 to 8gb. Got it from Crucial Technology for $259.99 US. Kingston Memory, I have been reading up, and not read good things about the ram rom NewEgg. I have seen no issues with the memory from Crucial, even have had a few issues clear up. My memory score went from 6.1 to 6.9 with the new ram.

Did you get the same Crucial memory that I was looking into? ( http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-276&AID=10592396&PID=3987385&SID=skim2728X590260&nm_mc=AFC-C8junctionCA ).

Kingston seems far too overly expensive for 4GB sticks for some reason. They quickly weren't even an option for me, and I have never personally used anything made by Kingston in the RAM dept.

[saxondale.]

I use Hynix RAM. It's the same company that made the stock RAM in my MBP.

[thejohnnyq]

Did you get the same Crucial memory that I was looking into? ( http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-276&AID=10592396&PID=3987385&SID=skim2728X590260&nm_mc=AFC-C8junctionCA ).

Kingston seems far too overly expensive for 4GB sticks for some reason. They quickly weren't even an option for me, and I have never personally used anything made by Kingston in the RAM dept.

That is what i got. I was told that the ram is made by Kingston.

[Xtreme $niper]

I use Hynix RAM. It's the same company that made the stock RAM in my MBP.

I can't find too much info on them other than info on the company and that it's used in some MacBooks... None of the stores I usually check have them. Perhaps they're rebranded under a different name when they go to retail?

[saxondale.]

I can't find too much info on them other than info on the company and that it's used in some MacBooks... None of the stores I usually check have them. Perhaps they're rebranded under a different name when they go to retail?

I think you can only find them online; i got mine from eBay US.

[joyntkid]

I've had 2 different MBPs, both upgraded with GSkill RAM and had no problems whatsoever.

My home windows workstation (4x2GB), fileserver (1x2GB), and and htpc (1x2GB) use GSkill.

Not sure WHY you wouldn't go with them

[Xtreme $niper]

Thanks for the info.

For those who said they use G.SKILL in their 2010 MacBook Pro i7s, do you use gfxCardStatus? And if you do, have you tried manually switching the GPU?

I believe this may be what makes or breaks a good RAM upgrade. I can currently do this perfectly with my stock RAM.