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Instaling more RAM in new MAc Pro

I just ordered my new Mac Pro today. I ordered it with 4GB RAM which comes as 4 x 1gb. Im purchasing 4 more GB from a third party and need to know if I can get 2 x 2gb or do I need to match whats in there already and do 4 more 1gb?

If I do the 2 x 2bg that'll leave 2 more open slots for possibly more RAM down the road. Is it possible to have 10gb or even 12gb installed? Do I need to stick with 4, 8, 16 or 32 configurations?

Thanks in advance!

20" iMac Intel Core Duo 2Ghz 2GB Ram 256MB Vram, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Feb 20, 2008 8:21 PM

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21 replies

Feb 21, 2008 6:32 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy, I don't know where you found that *Mac Pro Memory Chart* but I think it's one of the clearest explanations I've ever seen on the subject of how to configure memory modules in a Mac Pro. Please consider making a new post entitled, "Apple's Recommended Memory Configuration Chart" so that searching for such valuable information might be easier. Let's hope the Mac.com user who supplied it won't take it down, especially after thousands of people go to view it. Why on earth isn't this (jpeg) chart easy to find on Apple Support?

Feb 23, 2008 12:13 PM in response to wesmarsh

The Mac Pro installation discs put the user manual on the boot drive (a pdf document) that shows clearly how to insert memory in to the early 2008 Mac Pro. The file is called Mac Pro Users Guide.pdf and there is an alias of the folder that contains the document on the Leopard boot drive, the folder is called User Guides and Information. The document can also be downloaded from Apples site, though I don't have a link.

By the way, the the document linked to does not apply to the early 2008 Mac Pro. The difference is that when only 1 pair of modules are used they should be in slot 1 of each riser. When there are 2 or more pairs then the configuration is the same. The Apple user guide shows this clearly, and shows how to move the module from slot 1 of riser B to slot 2 of riser A before adding more memory.

Message was edited by: bilbo_baggins

Feb 23, 2008 1:32 PM in response to abhancock

Here is a link to the Mac Pro early 2008 user manual:

http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/macpro/

In response to your questions, as long as the module in riser A slot 1 is an exact match of slot 2, and the module in Riser B slot 1 is an exact match to slot 2, and so on, then you are fine. The manual says you should add modules in the following order:

Riser A: 1&2
Riser B: 1&2
Riser A: 3&4
Riser B: 3&4

Provided you fill the risers in this order, and that you add them in matched pairs, then you can add any combination of module sizes you like.

So, to answer your question, you can add 4 x 1GB for a total of 6GB (remember to move the Apple module from Riser B slot 1 to Riser A slot 2 before adding that extra ram to Riser B slots 1&2, and Riser A slots 3&4).

Lots of people have recommended OWC for Mac Pro memory, it uses Apple approved heat sinks.

Barefeats have shown that filling all 8 slots will give the maximum data throughput, with any combination of module sizes. However, they also suggest that there might be a performance benefit from having all modules of the same size (eg. 8 x 1GB or 8 x 2GB) although I don't think anyone has proven this yet.

Message was edited by: bilbo_baggins

Feb 23, 2008 3:01 PM in response to abhancock

Yes, that will give you 10GB. Although having smaller modules to fill all slots might give you better performance (according to barefeats tests), at least having some slots left empty means you won't have to remove any if you add more in future. You'll need to put the Apple 1GB modules in Riser A slots 1&2 and the OWC 4GB modules in Riser B slots 1&2.

Instaling more RAM in new MAc Pro

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