Apple - Is RAM upgrade worth it if I have an SSD already?
RAM still is a lot faster than any SSD which you use in your Mac. RAM has a shorter access times and much higher transfer rates:
[table]
The SATA interface by which the hard disk is connected limits the throughput to a theoretical maximum of 6Gbit/s (600MB/s) for SATA3.
You can determine how much the page outs are written to the disk by taking a look at the Activity Monitor. I try to keep the ratio at a maximum of 10/1 (page in/page out). The more page outs you have, the more like a RAM upgrade will benefit you.
On MacPerformance.com look for Optimizing the MacBook Pro Core i7 on the home page. It's a 5 part article that compares combinations of 4/8 GB memory with & without an SSD.
Just eye-balling the graphs, and other random experience guessing, I'd say
- Given 8 GB memory, an SSD is absolutely worth while.
- If you have 4 GB memory, upgrade memory first
- If you have 8 GB memory, upgrade to an SSD
- For Joe Average User, once you have an SSD upgrading beyond 8GB memory is virtually pointless.
Other points specific to recent MBP models
- Make the SSD the boot drive. (not MBP specific)
- Get an SSD w/ 6G (speed) interface, vice 3G.
- The MBP main drive slot has a 6G interface, the CD-ROM slot has a 3G interface
- Don't put a 6G drive in the CD-ROM slot. It's buggy. Also a waste of $ of the premium for a 6G SSD. See MacPerformanceGuide.com for more info.