RCBecker01

Q: Mac Pro 2012

I bought a new mac pro 2012-12 core w/12GB memory. I like to add 2-4GB memory sticks. In which slots should I install the 2-4GB memory sticks?

Thank you,

Richard

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1), 2012 w/12GB memory w/ ATI 5870 grap

Posted on Sep 5, 2012 3:40 PM

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Q: Mac Pro 2012

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 5, 2012 3:42 PM in response to RCBecker01
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    Sep 5, 2012 3:42 PM in response to RCBecker01

    Is there not a chart in the user manual?

  • by RCBecker01,

    RCBecker01 RCBecker01 Sep 5, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Kappy
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    Sep 5, 2012 3:51 PM in response to Kappy

    There isn't a manual for the new mac pro 2012.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 5, 2012 3:58 PM in response to RCBecker01
    Level 10 (271,691 points)
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    Sep 5, 2012 3:58 PM in response to RCBecker01

    Well, that sure isn't very helpful, is it? See if this helps: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4433.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Sep 5, 2012 4:26 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 9 (61,250 points)
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    Sep 5, 2012 4:26 PM in response to Kappy

    The memory is organized as four slots for each processor. Install by the each (pairs not required), largest modules in the front on the right and the back on the left.

     

    Fastest operation is with exactly three modules on each side. Two modules is slightly slower by about 5 percent (near-negligible). Slots 3 and 4 on each side are "shared", so using all four slots is also slightly slower, by a little more than five percent -- but having more RAM makes up for the minor slowdown.

  • by RCBecker01,

    RCBecker01 RCBecker01 Sep 5, 2012 4:29 PM in response to Kappy
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    Sep 5, 2012 4:29 PM in response to Kappy

    Thanks, but I already looked there. I just found the manual for the 2010 mack pro. It states in the diagram in which slots to install your memory but not the size of the memory.

    Moutain Lion doesn't come with coreservices/memory slot utility. So I think it's a guessing game. I called tech support and they don't know. I belive there is a correct order ˆn which to install memory of different size.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Sep 5, 2012 4:43 PM in response to RCBecker01
    Level 9 (61,250 points)
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    Sep 5, 2012 4:43 PM in response to RCBecker01

    Much to the annoyance of Mac Pro owners, the Mac Pro is unchanged since the 2010 model, except for a minor processor speed bump. The manual for the 2010 model will tell you exactly what you need to know about the 2012 model since it is the same machine.

     

    Apple does not update their memory size charts when new module sizes become available. EveryMac.com or OWC/Macsales can tell you the largest ones that they have made work.

  • by RCBecker01,

    RCBecker01 RCBecker01 Sep 5, 2012 5:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 5, 2012 5:23 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    I bought 4-8GB memory sticks from OWC for the mac pro 2012. Installed the 8GB mem stick in slot 1,2,3,4 and the 2GB mem sticks in slot 5,6,7 and 8. booted up the mac pro and got memory slot utility message. Should install the 8GB sticks in slots 1,2,5,6 and fill the rest the 2GB sticks. Did that that and booted up the mac pro however it took over a min to boot up and thats with a SSD drive. It took about 1 min to load FCPX and it woould take forver to render. Tested the memory, tested OK . Took out the memory and reinstalled the 2GB sticks in slots 1,2,3,5,6 and 7. Rebooted the MP STRTED RIGHT UP AS DID FCPX. Sent memory back to OWC, got a refund and bought 2-4GB memory sticks from the apple store. I just want to make sure I install them in the right slots.

     

    Thank you,

    Richard

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Sep 5, 2012 5:42 PM in response to RCBecker01
    Level 9 (61,250 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2012 5:42 PM in response to RCBecker01

    the memory is in two goups, one on each side. Best is about the same amount on each side.

     

    The largest modules go in slot 1 and 5 (front right and rear left).

     

    Those OWC 8GB sticks may be a little strange -- I think they used to say those will not play nice with other sizes. Other reputable vendors that sell 8GB sticks may be using a different design that is not restricted. I just bought one from Data Memory Systems and put it in my 4-core Server, mixed with 2GB sticks and had no issues.

  • by RCBecker01,Helpful

    RCBecker01 RCBecker01 Sep 5, 2012 5:58 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 5, 2012 5:58 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you very much, you solved my problem.

    Richard