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Corsair launches Mac-tuned MacBook RAM
updated 11:45 am EDT, Thu March 13, 2008
Corsair MacBook RAM
Memory maker Corsair has released an unusual new RAM upgrade module, aimed exclusively at Mac owners. The company's new Mac Memory kit has been tuned explicitly for MacBooks and MacBook Pros, using a special SPD (serial presence detect) profile that Macs can exploit to self-configure for better performance. The memory has been tested in programs such as XBench, Photoshop and VMware Fusion, and is claimed to be as much as 28 percent faster than standard Mac upgrade memory.
The RAM is clocked at 667MHz, but is only available in a 4GB module at present. It is being sold at Corsair dealers worldwide for $160, under the part name VSA4GSDSKIT667C4.
boon to mobile users
03/13, 12:09pm reply
This would be most beneficial to people who use their laptop as their primary machine and need more power. You can only shove so much RAM in those machines, and I can tell you that I'm always wanting more. A 28% power increase is definitely worth the look.
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
Lame
03/13, 12:28pm reply
Sounds like a bunch of BS. "We've programmed our RAM to tell the system it's settings in an extra special way." I fail to see how SPD could honestly affect the performance of a module, other than the fact that is be present (which all Macs require).
TimmyDee51
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
latency
03/13, 12:37pm reply
They actually say reduced latency is the difference and point to a white paper that is not posted.
yticolev
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2002
low latency
03/13, 12:42pm reply
"Corsair’s 4GB Mac Memory upgrade kit utilizes the industry’s first low latency modules specifically tuned for the new MacBook and MacBook Pro laptop computers. Testing has demonstrated that as much as a 28% overall system performance improvement is achieved with the new Corsair low latency memory modules versus standard Mac upgrade memory"
http://www.corsair.com/products/notebook_memory.aspx
Londor
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2004
Big Deal
03/13, 01:25pm reply
A-Data's 2GB DDR2 5300 SO-DIMM's run at latency of 4-4-4-11 for $34 a stick at NewEgg.
Corsair is listing their "low latency" kit (not 'module', but 'kit') at 5-5-5-12, which is fast compared to their other sticks, but nothing to crow about.
eggman
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Beware!
03/13, 02:28pm reply
Sounds to me more like another way to charge Mac users twice the price for (mostly) the same thing. I intalled 4G of GSkill RAM in my MPB for about $80 and I couldn't be happier. There's no reason for this RAM to be more than a nominal amount more.
ClockNova
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2001
Sounds...
03/13, 09:12pm reply
...like speed holes (They make the car go faster).
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001