listingbadly Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Hello Can you please, please, please post accurate compatibility info for the 512x8 and 256x16 module versions of this mac memory product. From recent experience and research I gather they do not have the same compatibility - which has been very, very frustrating and annoying just btw. Would be a huge help if online product info was upfront about this and generally less coy about compatibility. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 What I think the issue is....It's not that are not upfront about this. ..memory used to be one of those things that you had to take to the shop for installation. But now installing components and system building is becoming more mainstream and even the newest of users are trying their hand at it with out knowing the true ins and outs of their systems. But your local computer shop would have been aware of this. The other thing is that the memory finder has been continuously updating to reflect the changes of the newer modules and compatibility with older systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listingbadly Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 Thanks for posting back. Let me rephrase the whole question: Which is the current version of the 4GB DDR3 1066MHz mac memory module in production: 512MBx8IC or 256MBx16IC? Is the compatibility of these 2 module versions identical? If not, what is the difference? Lastly, can you provide, or point me to, a complete mac model compatibility list for this 8GB kit (or for each module version of this kit). I have to say the memory finder is fine if you're looking for memory that's compatible with a specific mac model; however, it's not so helpful if you're wanting to see at a glance the complete mac compatibility of a specific memory module/kit. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Which is the current version of the 4GB DDR3 1066MHz mac memory module in production: 512MBx8IC or 256MBx16IC? Current would be 512x8. Is the compatibility of these 2 module versions identical? If not, what is the difference? No , they are not identical. It is chip density or how large the memory chip is. The older MAC's can't use the larger chips . However, Corsair does have some of the older version on thir shelves for cases where the older ones are needed. Unfortunately, the need for the older memory modules is not large enough for them to keep producing them. That and the memory manufacturers are just not making the 256mb chips much anymore. Lastly, can you provide, or point me to, a complete mac model compatibility list for this 8GB kit (or for each module version of this kit). I have to say the memory finder is fine if you're looking for memory that's compatible with a specific mac model; however, it's not so helpful if you're wanting to see at a glance the complete mac compatibility of a specific memory module/kit. No, i can not. Memory is only listed by model and what has been specifically tested on each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listingbadly Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Ok, thanks for clearing this up. I have now checked every 2009 Mac model against the memory finder and find absolutely zero compatibility with this kit. Yes, not a single 2009 Mac shows up as compatible. I have to ask, then, how this product statement can possibly be accurate (I quote from the Corsair website product page): "Corsair's Mac memory kits are guaranteed to work with any Mac desktop or laptop that supports 4GB DDR3 SODIMMs, including iMac, Mac mini, MacBook, and MacBook Pro models. This includes virtually all models offered by Apple since 2009 (my emphasis)." That there is a serious problem of misdescription here is, I think, self-evident. Anyway, the result is that I now have several 512x8 8GB kits that are not fit for purpose, as I bought them specifically to upgrade 2009 iMacs and MBPs. What is to be done? Can I exchange them for the 256x16 version of this kit, which I now realise, after many hours of frustration I might add, does not have this compatibility problem? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listingbadly Posted July 9, 2013 Author Share Posted July 9, 2013 Come on Corsair. So what am I supposed to do with a bunch of high density 8 chip modules that aren't compatible with so many of the Mac systems for which they were seemingly tested and guaranteed to work? If this 8 chip version is indeed the current production version, then Corsair's marketing material plainly hasn't been updated and now, in fact, misrepresents the product's compatibility. This is a very unsatisfactory situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 This includes virtually all models offered by Apple since 2009 (my emphasis)." That there is a serious problem of misdescription here is, I think, self-evident. Well I can see what your getting at, but Virtually doesn't mean all models. Your just in that Virtually category is all. But at any rate i think your best bet would be to call them on the phone and see about swapping them. That would be the fastst way to get this handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted July 17, 2013 Corsair Employees Share Posted July 17, 2013 All DDR3 modules that are DDR3-1066 should be made with 256M X 8 IC's since about January of this year. Older modules may have been made with either 256M X8 or 512M X 8 IC's. And all modules that are DDR3-1333 or faster will likely be made with 512M X 8 IC's. But we can use 256M X 8 IC's on some parts But all of the 8 Gig modules will be 512M X 8. An easy way to tell is to count the chips on the module and divide it by the modules density IE 8192 / 16 = 512M 4096 / 8 = 512M 4096 / 16 = 256M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 That brings up another question RG...Is there a list of those parts that DO use the 256 IC's anywhere? This would be awesome reference for the older MB's that can't utilize the larger chips. Does it this just effect one line or can the 256 IC's be used in any of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted July 22, 2013 Corsair Employees Share Posted July 22, 2013 No not really, but the Rule I posted before is now in place But the way to tell is fairly easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listingbadly Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Ok, thanks RG for setting things straight. So where can I find complete and accurate compatibility info for the 512Mx8 IC version of the CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 product, since I assume the memory finder is reporting against the current 256Mx8 IC standard? Here's an example of just how ridiculous the situation is: 512Mx8 IC kit works perfectly in a mid-2010 C2D 2.4GHz MBP; put the same kit in a mid-2010 i7 2.66GHz MBP and its a smorgesbord of kernel panic. Both models show up as compatible in the memory finder. Use 256Mx8 IC modules and its happy days all the way. As I said above, the marketing material for this product does not stack up against the real world experience around these 512Mx8 IC modules. Please tell me Corsair has recalled this lemon, because I'm pulling out my hair over here. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispo Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I also bought CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 not knowing there were different modules. So I got the 8x512 (times 2) and discovered that there not compatible with my Macbook Pro 5,5 (13 inch mid 2009). So now I created a RMA ticket at the Corsair site and received the RMA# and package label, does that mean I can send the memory back right away? And will they read the ticket comments I've put in? Because I don't want to receive the same memory modules again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 So now I created a RMA ticket at the Corsair site and received the RMA# and package label, does that mean I can send the memory back right away? Yes, but unless they agreed to pay for shipping, that label is just a a pre-printed address label. Not postage paid. And will they read the ticket comments I've put in? Because I don't want to receive the same memory modules again. It would be best to make a call to CS to be sure there are no mis-understandings. Most of the RMA system is automated, so something like this can be overlooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispo Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Thanks for your reply, I will try to contact cs before I return any goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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