[OT] MacBook Pro firmware update failing to take more RAM

[Horst B Simon]

Hi Riccardo,

I never tried ROM EFI updates, as you mentioned the link fails.

Horst

> On 18 Apr 2025, at 09:26, Riccardo Mottola <riccardo.mottola at libero.it> wrote:
> 
> Hi Horst!
> 
> Horst B Simon wrote:
>> Hi,
>> 
>> I am too have MacBook Pro 7,1 with the same firmware version, but I could upgrade to 16GB RAM bought from OWC.
> 
> We have exactly the same computer, including CPU speed.
> 
> Do you get ROM EFI updates and/or can install them?
> 
> 16GB, wow! I tried... but got the issue.
> 
> Just today I was able to update to 8GB of ram, which, for a dual-core, is decent already.
> 
> The issue is speed. My older 15" MacBook Pro 2008 will take faster modules and run them at the correct speed, so I was able to put in 8GB of RAM (its maximum). This system is newer.. so it detects faster RAM, but can't cope with it. I tried mixing modules, e.g. 2GB slow + 4GB fast and got 6GB "slow", which is expected. but 2x4 or 2x8 fast modules fail. I was get some used 4GB modules ad 1067MHz and I am in business.
> Quite convenient... I hope it will make this nice little MBP faster. I always felt it slugghish. Even compared to about the same CPU and GPU of the older 15", it is slower. I don't know if it was the RAM or the much newer OS (10.13 vs. 10.9). I'm curious.
> 
> But for compiling MacPorts and ArcticFox as well as browsing, more RAM is a fresh breath today!!!
> 
> On the other side I also have a MacBook Air which has non-upgradable 4GB of RAM and doesn't feel "so bad" compared to this.... so I do wonder. I'll see if doubling the RAM improves things or not in terms of speed.
> For sure it does in "load taking". I am typing this email with SeaMonkey while compiling ArcticFox browser... and memory pressure is not yet at limit.
> 
> Riccado