HT205043: Mac Pro (Mid 2012 and earlier): How to remove or install memory

Learn about Mac Pro (Mid 2012 and earlier): How to remove or install memory
K4071

Q: I have a Mac Pro G5 early 2009 Model

Does anyone have suggestions of what I should upgrade first? It is an amazing computer, but ever since we cleaned out

the dust bunnies we now have a buzzing noise.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions,
Kris

Power Mac G5, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Nov 20, 2015 3:01 AM

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Q: I have a Mac Pro G5 early 2009 Model

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 20, 2015 10:36 AM in response to K4071
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 10:36 AM in response to K4071

    If you remove the side door & shield while running, can you isolate it to the HHDs or trays, the PSU, the fans?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Nov 20, 2015 7:03 PM in response to K4071
    Level 9 (60,971 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 20, 2015 7:03 PM in response to K4071

    If it really is a 2009 model, I think you have an Intel Xeon Mac Pro 2008 or 2009 model. (the powerMac G5 was discontinued in 2006.)

     

    Which model makes a big difference, because there was a major re-design for the 2009 model.

  • by K4071,

    K4071 K4071 Nov 20, 2015 7:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 7:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Grant,

     

    Yes, this is a Mac Pro (Early 2009).

    1.) I would like to upgrade this computer instead of buying the new iMac.

     

    2.) I added a 2nd Hard Drive for photos and videos. It also did back-ups for awhile.

    I noticed that the 2nd Hard Drive was not showing up on the desktop like it had before.

    It was making noise and I read that it might need cleaning. When my hubby went to clean it, it was very dusty.

    After removing the Hard Drives when cleaning the 2nd Hard Drive was back on the desktop. But the Original Hard Drive

    was not showing up on the desktop. When I open the finder it seems to be opened on the Original Hard Drive.


    3.) I have been trying to find information on how to get to the Original Hard Drive, but will probably call Support first and see

    if I need to make an appointment.

     

    Thank you for your help.

    Kris

  • by K4071,

    K4071 K4071 Nov 20, 2015 7:42 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 7:42 PM in response to BDAqua

    Is it safe to open the door while the computer is running?

    Hard Drives, Fans and PSU?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 20, 2015 10:23 PM in response to K4071
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 10:23 PM in response to K4071

    Yes.

  • by K4071,

    K4071 K4071 Dec 4, 2015 8:44 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2015 8:44 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Grant,

     

    Thank you so much and with more investigation it is confirmed that I have the Mac Pro "Early 2009"

    Two 2.26GHz Quad-core Intel Xeon E5520 processors

    • Turbo Boost up to 2.53GHz
    • 8MB on-chip shared L3 cache per processor
    • Supports Hyper Threading

    1.) I am wanting to upgrade this computer but do not know what I should upgrade first.

    2.) The original hard drive is not showing up in the utility, but it looks to be running on this hare drive. When going into the finder it shows the Mac Devices?

    It was suggested that I hold down the option key while starting up the computer and that will start up in the 1st hard drive slot, is this correct?

    3.) I would like to add 32GB of memory (4GB in 8 slots), a 480 SSD Drive w/ OWC Mount Pro: 2.5-Inch Drive Sled for Apple Mac Pro 2009 and a Airport Extreme card, will this work in the 2009?, do I have to add anything else to upgrade this correctly?.

    4.) Do I need to take the original hard drive to a Mac repair to get the content transferred to the 480GB Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G 2.5-inch 7mm SATA 6.0Gb/s Solid-State Drive? is this large enough? Can I use a 240GB? I use the 2nd one just for over 20K pictures, large videos and it was doing back-ups. But I now have a 4TB External Hard Drive for Time Machine.

    I have really tried to investigate everything, but I can't get this information. I really appreciate your help in advance.

    Thank you

    Kris

     

  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Dec 6, 2015 7:11 PM in response to K4071
    Level 10 (188,994 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 6, 2015 7:11 PM in response to K4071

    2.)  What do you mean by "but it looks to be running on this hare (SP I assume this is hard) drive"? what makes you believe this?

    Holding the Option key during booting will result in the screen showing the available disk you can boot from,

    3.) Yes, I myself installed the OWC sled with 2 1/2 inch SSD and airport card in my 2009 MP.

    4.) You can do the transfer your self. You can clone that disk to the SSD using

    http://www.newertech.com/tech_support/manuals/mac/clon_data.php

    or an app like SuperDuper or CarbonCopyCloner.  SD is free but does not clone the Recovery partition.

    I would opt for 480 GB SSD but it al depends upon your use. A 240 is likely OK

    You can also instead of the 2 1/2 inch SSD get a PCle-based blade SSD. Much faster

    SSD Blade Drive for "Classic" Mac Pro

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Dec 5, 2015 6:33 AM in response to K4071
    Level 9 (60,971 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 5, 2015 6:33 AM in response to K4071

    I would like to add 32GB of memory (4GB in 8 slots)

    If the price of 8GB DIMMs is about the same as the price of two 4GB DIMMs, buy fewer of the denser ones. Then you will still have some slots open if your needs change.

     

    Use caution in looking at 16GB DIMMs. These are "Registered" and do not mix with older ones.