8GB RAM in M3 MacBook Pro Proves the Bottleneck in Real-World Tests::Apple’s new MacBook Pro models are powered by cutting-edge M3 Apple silicon, but the base configuration 14-inch model starting at $1,599…

  • BorgDrone@lemmy.one
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    1 year ago

    It’s not so much soldered to the motherboard as much as part of the same package as the CPU. As in: there are no separate memory chips.

    • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org
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      1 year ago

      But they did indeed solder it in before that, on their old Intel laptops. I think they started doing that in 2013 or 2014 but I forget exactly.

      • 4am
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        1 year ago

        That has more to do with faster traces; the ram is “closer” to the CPU so the signal is cleaner.

        Not defending the move, I’d take upgradability in a laptop.

        • TwanHE@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Only makes a difference at oc levels of manual tuning. Which apple isn’t doing at their factory I reckon.

          • 4am
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            1 year ago

            I mean, when you’re the one manufacturing the board, I’m pretty sure you could eek out some more baseline performance without having to tweak each one for OC in the production line, my dude.

            • TwanHE@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              At 100gb/s for the base model there probably actively downclocking the ram to make the higher end models more attractive.

    • Billiam@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      So wait- if you want to increase your RAM, you have to install a whole new CPU?

      • Lupec
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        1 year ago

        That’s soldered as well! It’s theoretically possible but way too involved for most to bother with hiring a professional to get it done or what have you.