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Memory Upgrade for Mac Pro 1,1

Hello,

I have what I believe is a first generation Mac Pro. The system profiler says it's version 1,1.

When I bought it, I had an additional 2 GB of ram installed by the dealer for a total of 3GB.

Today I am trying to install a pair of 2GB DIMMS for a total of 7GB.

I bought the memory at my local mac dealer (Mac Enthusiasts in West LA). He asked what version of Mac I had and I said I thought it was first generation. He asked for the serial number, but I didn't know I needed one. I did however bring the manual and told him the date was 2006.

He assured me he had the right memory for my machine, despite my offering to get the serial number from home.

The point of all this is when I opened up my mac to install the memory, I was surprised to see that the original factory memory had HUGE BLACK HEAT SINKS on it. The second, dealer-installed memory had SLIM SILVER HEAT SINKS, and now finally the memory I bought today has NO HEAT SINKS WHATSOEVER.

Is it possible that memory technology has improved and newer DIMMS run cooler and don't need heat sinks? Or do I have the wrong memory? Is there any online guide or utility I can use to determine if I can use these modules?

Finally, here is the text on the sticker of the modules:

2GB PC2-5300 (667Mhz) DDR2 DIMM

The chips themselves appear to say "Lynnix" KOR

Please help.

Thanks,
P-FO

Mac Pro 3Ghz Quad Xeon, Mac OS X (10.6.3), 3 Gig Ram

Posted on Jul 3, 2010 3:35 PM

Reply
5 replies

Jul 3, 2010 4:06 PM in response to Paul Fontaine

You indeed have the first generation Mac Pro. It can use up to 8 - 240-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 ECC fully-buffered DIMM (FB-DIMM) in (matched pairs.) The modules should have an Apple certified or similar heat sink. Do not use DIMMs without heat sinks as they will not last and may be subject to frequent errors. The DIMMs must be fully buffered (FB) and must be error correcting (ECC) and installed in matching pairs.

Whatever your local dealer sold you if there's no heat sink, they aren't FB and ECC modules, then don't use them.

For proper installation see the following:

About RAM installation in the Mac Pro

Mac Pro memory arrangement photos
Mac Pro Memory Configuration
Memory Tests- "2008" Mac Pro

Ram should be installed minimally in matched pairs and optimally in matched quads. This means the memory modules are the same size and specifications. They should also be equipped with the Apple-certified style of heat sink.

Memory Upgrade for Mac Pro 1,1

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