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All replies
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Helpful answers
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Aug 7, 2015 2:47 AM in response to gmj1by lllaass,★HelpfulYou can't mix registered and unregistered RAM.
Important: All DIMMs must be 1866MHz DDR3 ECC compliant. The Mac Pro supports both unbuffered UDIMMs and registered RDIMMs, but it is important not to mix these two types of memory. Mixing UDIMMs and RDIMMs will result in a memory error tone when you turn on your computer.
above from:
Mac Pro (Late 2013): Memory specifications - Apple Support
However, 1333MHz memory will also work if thay are all the same and those slower speed ar3 32 GB sticks
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1866-memory
4 GB sticks are unregistered as are 8 GB sticks
Mac Pro (Late 2013): Installing or replacing memory - Apple Support
http://blog.macsales.com/22745-mix-and-match-more-memory-faster-mac-pro-2
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Aug 7, 2015 3:08 AM in response to gmj1by John Lockwood,★HelpfulWhile Illaass's reply does detail the requirements it does not say how to tell which type you have. As an aside the same issue applies to the previous generation Mac Pro as well.
Unfortunately I have not found an obvious way to tell myself - I have a Mac Pro 5,1. I can say that as far as I have found all 16GB sticks are registered and that I believe this applies to both the Classic Mac Pro (like mine) and the New Mac Pro (like yours). With 4GB or 8GB sticks both types are available. I have seen articles suggesting that Apple historically have used unbuffered 4GB or 8GB sticks but of course there is no guarantee.
My best suggestion is that you either look in System Report or better still look physically at the memory stick for part numbers. Then use Google to lookup that part number and see if you can find for example the manufactures specifications. Try finding the 'real' makers part number e.g. Samsung, Hynix, etc. rather than Apple.
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Aug 7, 2015 4:40 AM in response to John Lockwoodby gmj1,The 4GB stick's part number relates to unbuffered Samsung. Couple that with the fact that everyone seems to think the 4 and 8GB sticks are unbuffered it seems like a safe bet. Thanks for the help.
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Aug 7, 2015 8:55 AM in response to gmj1by lllaass,Buffered vs unbuffered is not an issue with teh 2013 Mac Pro since you can't the one in that regard. Registered vs unregistered is an issue.
In any event make sure yo get the memory from a place that says thay will work in a 2013 Pro.
What I conclude is that you can mix 8 and 4 GB sticks but not 4 and 16 and not 8 and 16 .
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Aug 7, 2015 9:24 AM in response to lllaassby gmj1,OK, thanks. Now, I'm torn between a configuration of 4,4,8,8 or just 16,16,0,0 - Twice the price for the 16's but then i can upgrade more easily later. Is there any advantage to spreading the load over more sticks vs have more ram over less sticks when you're pushing the system editing 4k video?
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Aug 7, 2015 9:33 AM in response to gmj1by lllaass,What I have read either of you two options would be different in terms of speed since to use triple channel mode all three sticks would have to be the same like how the base-line Mac (3x4 GB) is.
I got a good deal on a used set of 4x8 GB and am happy with that. If I did not get a good deal I would have opted for 2x16 so I could upgrade later.
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Aug 7, 2015 6:18 PM in response to gmj1by Grant Bennet-Alder,If you can get a 16 for anywhere near twice the price of an 8, that is an extremely good deal, and you should take it. You will never need less RAM. as you say, that leaves your slots and options open.
I believe that Mac will also run with ONE 16GB DIMM, but most vendors are really skittish about anything other than matched quads. (try it with ONE 4GB DIMM and see.)