RAM upgrade question

merkat106 · 09 Feb 2011

Tis' the story of two laptops: a MacBook Pro "CoreDuo" 17" and a HP DV9650US. The MacBook has since died (bad logic board). However, in late 2009, I had upgraded its RAM with RAM made for Apple. The HP has never been upgraded since it was purchased about two years ago. It is slow so I was going to upgrade its RAM (currently about 2Gb) and upgrade its OS to x64.

Both laptops use ddr2 so I'm sure that the Apple RAM modules will fit in the slots on the HP. Will the HP recognize the RAM from the dead MacBook?

Or should I just buy new RAM? I am on a budget here, so money is tight.

whs · 09 Feb 2011

Scan your system here ( RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com ). Then you know exactly what RAM Dimms you need. Then check your leftover Dimms whether they have those specifications. You can alwys put the "leftovers" in temporarily and scan them too to get the specs.

pxsalmers · 09 Feb 2011

It's good that they are both DDR2, but normally its not good to mix brands as they usually differ with timings. Also your Macbook RAM might not be compatible with the board on the HP. Do you have the model name/brands for each set of RAM?

edit: whs beat me to the punch

merkat106 · 09 Feb 2011

pxsalmers said:

It's good that they are both DDR2, but normally its not good to mix brands as they usually differ with timings. Also your Macbook RAM might not be compatible with the board on the HP. Do you have the model name/brands for each set of RAM?

edit: whs beat me to the punch

1. I wasn't planning on mixing brands. Each laptop holds 2 DIMMs so I'd move the ones in the Mac to the HP since the Mac is dead.

2. Not sure what brand is in HP since they are original to the unit, but HP Support says 2Gb DDR2. The Mac, I believe uses Kingston Apple. I don't remember the Gb amount.

3. Compatibility is my question

pxsalmers · 09 Feb 2011

merkat106 said:

pxsalmers said:

It's good that they are both DDR2, but normally its not good to mix brands as they usually differ with timings. Also your Macbook RAM might not be compatible with the board on the HP. Do you have the model name/brands for each set of RAM?

edit: whs beat me to the punch

1. I wasn't planning on mixing brands. Each laptop holds 2 DIMMs so I'd move the ones in the Mac to the HP since the Mac is dead.

2. Not sure what brand is in HP since they are original to the unit, but HP Support says 2Gb DDR2. The Mac, I believe uses Kingston Apple. I don't remember the Gb amount.

3. Compatibility is my question

the different mobos might have different DIMM slot setups. ex. 2 DIMMS x 204 pin vs 2 DIMMS x 240 pin, although its unlikely that they would differ. assuming same clock frequency/timings. sometimes the RAM tells you the size/timings/frequency right on it. at least some newer ones do.

just go to that link that was posted above by whs. it should help you out.

thefabe · 09 Feb 2011

+1 for whs run the program I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't work since Apple like most OEM's like to paly the you have to buy it from us program.
Fabe

merkat106 · 09 Feb 2011

The Mac is dead, so the link won't help, & I don't have access to the HP until tomorrow. But isn't DDR2 a standard for the layout/amount of pins on the DIMM?

pxsalmers · 09 Feb 2011

merkat106 said:

The Mac is dead, so the link won't help, & I don't have access to the HP until tomorrow. But isn't DDR2 a standard for the layout/amount of pins on the DIMM?

not quite. RAM DIMMs come in different formats as far as pins go.

DIMM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ex. you can have DDR3 and DDR2 DIMMS both at 240 pins.

merkat106 · 09 Feb 2011

Okay, went to site. Both units seem to take the same type of DIMM. However, it would seem that the Mac could only have been upgraded to 2GB, which is the current amount in the HP. So, no go with my idea. Will end up buying the HP new RAM online.

whs · 09 Feb 2011

Those are the breaks, too bad.