Wondering if your Mac is as awesome as it could be? Want to make sure it is? We’ve got the answers to all your questions on upgrading RAM, hard drives, video cards, and more.

Your Mac is a hefty investment, so it’s in your best interest to keep it running well for as long as you can. Upgrading its components instead of going for a new machine is a smart idea. (Bonus: Better components will also increase the resale value.)

Still, like we said, your Mac is a hefty investment. So before you crack it open to drop in a larger and faster hard drive, add more system memory, or even slap on a fresh new battery, you’ll have questions. You’ll want to be confident in choosing components, finding the right tools, and knowing what to do before you find yourself digging into your Mac’s circuitry.

Unfortunately, we can’t walk you through your upgrade step by step--each model of Mac is different, and they’re revised on a regular basis. But we can answer your questions about upgrading and give you the know-how you need to pick out the parts, locate the instructions, and get it done. Your upgraded Mac will work much better, plus you’ll be a happy camper knowing you did it all yourself.

RAM

The low-hanging fruit of any Mac upgrade, more RAM equals more get-up-and-go.

Should I order my Mac with extra RAM installed by Apple, or just order the standard amount and upgrade later?

It’s wise to compare prices before you check out at the Apple Store. Sometimes Apple’s RAM is cheaper than third-party prices, but often it’s much more expensive. And since Apple’s build-to-order options don’t always allow you to max out RAM when you buy, upgrading later may be the only way to load your Mac with as much memory as it supports.

That said, if you’re squeamish about opening your computer, the convenience of getting extra RAM preinstalled may be worth the compromises. RAM not installed by Apple isn’t covered under your Mac’s warranty or AppleCare, and neither is damage caused by faulty RAM modules or their installation. But just between us, installing your own RAM is an easy and typically trouble-free procedure when done correctly.

What are the different types of RAM?

This laptop-sized SO-DIMM has 204 pins. The pins are what connect the module to the RAM slot.

The RAM modules--or, more accurately, SDRAM modules--used by modern Macs come in a variety of speeds and two physical designs: desktop-sized DIMMs and compact, laptop-friendly SO-DIMMs. Many flavors of RAM have come and gone over the years, but the latest is DDR3, which moves data even faster than earlier DDR memory, while using less power. Although it may seem like there’s a galaxy of RAM to choose from, the memory you need depends on which Mac you want to upgrade, and your Mac’s needs are specific. So don’t worry about having to decide between cheaper DDR2 RAM and speedier, more expensive DDR3 RAM--you won’t have a choice.

How do I find out which type I need and how much my Mac supports?

Click the Apple Menu and select About This Mac to see how much RAM you have.

Apple lists the type of RAM each currently selling Mac uses on the Tech Specs page for that Mac on Apple.com. For example, the current iMacs come with 4GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM in two 2GB SO-DIMMS. The iMac’s four SO-DIMM slots can support a total of 16GB, meaning four 4GB SO-DIMM modules.

But that’s just the Macs for sale right now. To find out what kind of RAM is in your own Mac, click the Apple Menu and select About This Mac. The Memory section will tell you how much RAM you have installed and what kind it is--according to the screenshot, our MacBook Pro has 4GB (amount) of 667MHz (speed) DDR2 SDRAM (type). For more details on the individual RAM modules installed in your Mac’s memory slots, click More Info to launch System Profiler, then click Memory in the sidebar (under Hardware).

However, this won’t tell you the maximum amount of RAM your Mac supports. If your Mac isn’t a current model, research sites like Everymac.com or simply go shopping. Many RAM vendors’ websites list a Mac’s capacity alongside its compatible memory.

Do I always want to max out my RAM?

Crucial (crucial.com) is happy to tell us our MacBook Pro supports up to 4GB of RAM.

Want to? Sure. More RAM lets your Mac handle memory-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and running multiple applications simultaneously. Adding as much RAM as possible helps ensure your Mac will be ready for a variety of tasks--and RAM-hungry software updates--for years to come.

Need to? Not so much. While RAM is an easy, inexpensive way to boost your computer’s performance, an extra gigabyte or two over Apple’s stock configuration may be enough for everyday use.

How and where can I comparison-shop for RAM?

Other World Computing carries RAM from several manufacturers for one-stop comparison shopping.

First, arm yourself with as much information about your computer and its supported RAM as possible. Many vendors use detailed technical specifications--even screen size--to differentiate one Mac model from another. Crucial (crucial.com) even has a System Scanner tool that can auto-detect your Mac model.

Ramseeker.com lets you compare RAM prices based on specific Mac models. Sites like Pricewatch.com, PriceGrabber.com, and larger Mac-friendly retailers like Other World Computing (macsales.com) let you compare prices based on RAM type and manufacturer.

Do the modules really have to be bought in matched pairs?

This DDR3 DIMM can go in a current Mac Pro.

Some Macs, like many Xserves and Mac Pros, require RAM to be installed in two modules of the same size and specifications--check your manual to be sure. Others, including all Intel Macs, don’t require matched pairs, but will see some speed benefits with matched memory. But even in these machines, more unmatched memory (say, one 2GB module and a 1GB module for a total of 3GB) generally provides greater benefit than a smaller amount of matched RAM (say, two 1GB modules for a total of 2GB).

Where can I find instructions for my Mac?

Find Other World Computing's how-to-install videos at eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/.

Your Mac’s instruction manual or support documents on Apple’s website (support.apple.com) will show you how to install memory in your computer. Failing that, some Mac hardware vendors like iFixit.com, Crucial, and Other World Computing offer instructions on their websites--often as easy-to-follow videos--for a wide variety of Macs.

How do I know if the installation "worked," and what should I do if it didn't?

Choose About This Mac from the Apple Menu. You should see your new RAM total in the Memory section. If the number isn’t what you expect, shut down your computer, unplug all the cables, then access your Mac’s RAM slots again and make sure the new RAM modules are firmly seated.

RAM Glossary

So many acronyms, am I right?

DIMM: Dual inline memory module. Also known as a RAM module or chip, installed into a slot in your desktop Mac.

DDR2: Second-generation double-data-rate SDRAM; bandwidth up to 8.5GB/sec.

DDR3: Third-generation double-data-rate SDRAM; bandwidth up to 12.8GB/sec.

ECC: Error-correcting code. ECC RAM modules, which are used in Mac Pros, have extra chips that detect and fix errors in reading or writing to the memory.

SDRAM: Synchronous dynamic random-access memory. Or just "RAM" for short.

SO-DIMM: Small outline dual inline memory module. (See why we need acronyms?) Smaller than a DIMM, SO-DIMM modules are used in Mac laptops and iMacs.

Shop Different

Here are our favorite Mac-centric dealers on the internet, compared on the basis of what you’ll pay for a 4GB RAM upgrade kit and an SSD for Susie’s trusty workhorse, a 2.4GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro (late 2007 Santa Rosa model). Prices change all the time; these are accurate as of press time.

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