Can I use 16GB DDR3-1600MHz RAM in an early Macbook Pro 8.2?

I found Macs which had:

• 16GB RAM installed

• 8GB RAM installed, but running on 1600MHz instead of 1333MHz (link in dutch)

  

Question

Is it possible to put 16GB running at 1600MHz in my Mac?

If you've done this, please post a screen shot.

Apparently you need a Macbook Pro with an i7 processor of at least 2.2GHz or more in order to use memory running at 1600MHz.

My hardware

• Macbook Pro 8,2 early 2011 - 2.0GHz i7 quad

edit: I recently found this sleepimage. Basically it's just a swap file of your RAM. so your mac can 'sleep'. But when you install 16GB you're gonna have a 16GB RAM file sitting on your disk as well. Which you can safely delete but it will be recreated when your mac goes to sleep. just something to consider when your working with limited disk space.

Solution 1:

It's not possible to use RAM running at 1600MHz in your Macbook Pro 8.2, because it's not supported by the processor.

Your Macbook Pro has the Intel® Core™ i7-2635QM Processor which only allows DDR3-RAM running at 1066/1333MHz according to Intel. (see link for official specs)

While the 2635QM processor does not support 1600MHz memory, it does support 16GB RAM:

Solution 2:

16 GB should be possible - but I'm quite sure it will always run at 1333 MHz, as the firmware sets the clock speed. Thus, even if you buy a 1600 MHz module it should run at 1333 MHz (edit: 1600 MHz is possible, see comments)

And I could not find any 8 GB module at 1600 MHz.

So I would recommend to get 16 GB at (at least) 1333 MHz.

Solution 3:

I successfully bought and installed a 16GB Patriot kit (2x8GB) of PC3-1600 (12800) in my 15" MBP 8,2 (2.3Ghz Early 2011). Used to have 2x4GB PC3-1333, now it runs 2x8GB at 1600 speeds! No extra software needed, and even Boot Camp (Win 7) had no issues... so far. 48 hours since I installed it, and I feel good. While I know YMMV, just make sure you have HIGHER than 2.0 Ghz (2.2 and up) CPU and 2011 or newer, and you should be ok. No idea about the 13" models, though.

Solution 4:

A bit late, but I'm running the Early 2011 MBP with the 2.0Ghz intel core i7 2635qm (or 2630qm not sure) which by intel does not support 1600Mhz memory. Believe it or not; I've got 16gb ram buzzing at 1600mhz. My about this mac reports I can have two bars of 1600mhz and extended system information reports that my RAM is running at 1600mhz.

And by the way, 1333mhz and 1600mhz doesn't differ a lot in price now so why not take the chance. I can assure you it will work at 1600Mhz anyways.