8GB VS 16GB RAM MACBOOK PRO 2015 MAC
There is a reason that stock M1 machines are outperforming 64GB ram monster Mac machines. Its how the architecture is handling the RAM that is making it so good. If you read my original comment carefully (I'm sure you did), you know that I used the word EFFECTIVELY. Yes, memory is complicated in systems and there are all kinds of caches, and paging in and out between RAM and disk (SSD), and these new chips have good performance and we know that modern computers can work with memory requirements over and above their physical size with these swapping schemes etc, but it doesn't somehow magically make a machine with 8G perform the same as one with 16GB of ram.
It's not rocket science - if your application requests 500MB of ram, there is no way a different chip can somehow store 500MB of data in less hardware. I find this whole attitude very weird, and from what I can see, it stems from the initial machines only supporting lower amounts of RAM as standard (because that's what they specced for the first generation of entry-level M1 chips), and instead of a lot of people going "Hmm, this current lower RAM limit is a pain", they attempted to justify it with "maybe the RAM somehow 'goes further' with these new chips, along with "while I was testing this 8GB machine I didn't seem to get any memory problems". Have you definitive sources for this opinion? Please link them up.
Plenty of internet testing done already to check this out. Avoid handling the RAM by the gold connection pins.I believe its fair to say that they (Silicon chips) will change the way we look at RAM and our requirements for it.ĨGB on silicon is effectively 16GB - 24GB on intel. When you handle the RAM, make sure you grab it by the sides so as not to touch any of the sensitive parts. Don't wear fuzzy pants or drag your feet on carpet while working, as those actions will build up static electricity. Make sure to ground yourself on a metal object before you start this process, and work on a static-free surface. While working, beware of static discharges, which can damage computer components. Most iMac models have a convenient window to access the RAM compartment, making it even easier than on a laptop. While it may be slightly different on yours, the basic process for MacBook RAM upgrades is the same. Check the resources mentioned above for more specific instructions.īelow we'll provide a basic overview of how this looks on a mid-2010 MacBook. As mentioned, we can't go over the instructions for every single Mac model.
8GB VS 16GB RAM MACBOOK PRO 2015 UPGRADE
If you often multitask, and your computer supports it, jumping to 16GB is a good idea.įinally, let's review the general process for the actual RAM upgrade in your machine. 8GB is a good baseline if you aren't a heavy computer user. How much RAM you should buy depends on your needs. For example, if you want to upgrade to 8GB of RAM, buy the 4GB x 2 pack. To take advantage of dual-channel memory, you'll want to buy two sticks that add up to your desired total. This page also details how many memory slots your machine has most MacBook models have two slots. In many cases, this exceeds the "maximum" value provided by Apple. Have a look at OWC's MaxRAM page to see how much RAM your particular machine will take. The few dollars you save isn't worth the risk of bad RAM bringing down your system.įinally, you'll need to buy the right amount of RAM for your system. We recommend staying away from cheap, junky RAM with few or poor reviews. Read more: A Quick and Dirty Guide to RAM: What You Need to Know If you do so, make sure you search by SKU so you don't end up buying something that's slightly different. You might be able to shop around and get a better price for RAM found on the above sites. This is why we recommend buying from a store that specializes in Mac RAM upgrades.