Steven Shmerler

Q: How to Best Add RAM to 3x2GB (6GB) With 1 Slot Left?

My new 3.2 GHz Quad Core has 4 RAM slots with 3 filled with 2GB modules. If I want to increase to 8GBs, can I simply add a 2GB module to the empty RAM slot or do I need to add only matched pairs or sets?

 

If matched, what get's matched? All 4 slots, so I have to buy 4x2GB modules? Or perhaps just for slots 3 and 4 and buy only 2x2GB modules?

 

Thanks,

Steven

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 30" Display, 22" Cinema Display

Posted on Jul 18, 2012 12:12 PM

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Q: How to Best Add RAM to 3x2GB (6GB) With 1 Slot Left?

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  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Jul 18, 2012 12:18 PM in response to Steven Shmerler
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Jul 18, 2012 12:18 PM in response to Steven Shmerler

    OWC sells 4 and 8GB DIMM that you can just add to what you have.

     

    You could pull one and buy 2 x 4GB also. 8GB is not a whole lot and if you think you need more than 6GB might want to consider larger capacity DIMM

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory

  • by Steven Shmerler,

    Steven Shmerler Steven Shmerler Jul 18, 2012 1:35 PM in response to The hatter
    Level 1 (94 points)
    Applications
    Jul 18, 2012 1:35 PM in response to The hatter

    Hi Hatter,

     

    To be clear, 3 of my 4 slots came filled each with a 2 GB module. So slot 4 is empty which I was wondering if I could buy a single 2GB module and install in slot 4. That would bring me from 6GB to 8GB.

     

    But I wasn't sure if I could do this. Cruicial tech support states that they have never tested their RAM working in conjunction with Apple RAM, so don't have any info on whether there will be issues adding just 1 Cruicial 2GB module to my exiting 3x2GB Apple modules.

     

    I am waiting to hear back from them whether I need to for example replace slots 3 and 4 with a matched pair of 2GB RAM modules and remove the Apple 2GB module in slot 3.

     

    But in adddition you are saying I could install 2 x 4 GB modules in slots 3 and 4 (total 8GB), leaving Apple's 2 x 2GB modules in slots 1 and 2 (total 4GB), for a grand total of 12 GBs?

  • by The hatter,Solvedanswer

    The hatter The hatter Jul 18, 2012 1:48 PM in response to Steven Shmerler
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Jul 18, 2012 1:48 PM in response to Steven Shmerler

    yes of course you can do the 4th 2GB!

     

    I guess I should have included the tech note for installing RAM

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4433

     

    I really think 12GB for now makes sense, yes. $70 for 2x4GB.

     

    The difference between "triple" and any other mix is minimal to none in real world, with more always trumping.

  • by Steven Shmerler,

    Steven Shmerler Steven Shmerler Jul 18, 2012 3:54 PM in response to The hatter
    Level 1 (94 points)
    Applications
    Jul 18, 2012 3:54 PM in response to The hatter

    Amazing how cheap RAM and hard drives are now.

     

    Yes $70 is affordable. So the move would be then:

     

    slot 1 - 2GB (Apple original)

    slot 2 - 2GB (Apple original)

    slot 3 - 4GB (Crucial)

    slot 4 - 4GB (Crucial)

     

    Steven