User profile for user: Ammar3645
Ammar3645 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Mac Pro 6.1 (Late 2013) maximum upgrade

I have a technical question,


My Mac Pro Specification:

Mac Pro 6.1 (Late 2013)

3.5 GHz 6-Core intel Xeon E5

Memory: 16GB (four 4GB) of 1866MHz DDR3 ECC memory


Mentioned on Apple Support website that configurable to 32GB (four 8GB) or 64GB (four 16GB)


 I found on OWC website that I can make it up to 128 GB (four 32GB) for the Memory.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-pro/2013


My question is,

  1. Is it possible to upgrade to 128 GB (32GB x 4)?
  2. If yes, is the MacPro 6.1 (Late 2013) will work smooth with no problems?.
  3. I'm planning to upgrade the Memory to 128 GB (32GB x 4), and 1 TB for the Storage, is that ok?


My usage is:

- Adobe software, especially Adobe Photoshop (sometimes I have the file size 2 GB or more), In-design, Illustrator ... others.

- 3D software, and rendering software for huge digital drawing/painting...


I need help to be in the safe side and take the right decision, so my MacPro will work fast with no problems. I'll be waiting for the help.


Many Thanks,

Mac Pro, macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 4, 2019 11:27 PM

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User profile for user: John Lockwood
John Lockwood
User level: Level 6
13,697 points

Posted on Mar 5, 2019 2:19 AM

Way back in 2013 when this model was launched 32GB DIMMs did not exist so Apple listed the maximum possible capacity as 64GB i.e. 4 x 16GB. Since then 32GB DIMMs have become available and it has been confirm 4 x 32GB = 128GB is possible and does work.


Note: The older classic MacPro5,1 can also be upgraded to 128GB with 8 x 16GB.


Since you are discussing upgrading your Mac Pro and mention also upgrading the storage I presume you are referring to the internal SSD drive. Originally this would have been an Apple specific PCIe SSD drive using the AHCI standard and originally this model of Mac Pro would not support newer and faster NVMe type SSD drives. More recent firmware upgrades for this Mac Pro have since added support for NVMe SSD drives so the can now also boot from these. As it happens Samsung no longer make AHCI type SSD drives so this is important as not only are now NVMe ones faster but cheaper and easier to get than AHCI ones.


Apple's SSD slot in the MacPro6,1 like their other Mac models is an M2 type slot but uses a proprietary Apple connector. You therefore cannot simply buy a standard SSD drive and plug it in. You will need a special adapter to do this. This is the adapter used by most people.


https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/


A suitable SSD drive would be this one.


https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S1T0B/dp/B07MFZY2F2/


PS. You will need to ensure your Mac Pro has the latest firmware before fitting a new NVMe drive. Do this by either installing High Sierra 10.13.6 or by installing Mojave 10.14.4 on the original SSD drive so as to trigger the installation of the new firmware before fitting the new SSD drive.

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User profile for user: John Lockwood
John Lockwood
User level: Level 6
13,697 points

Mar 5, 2019 2:19 AM in response to Ammar3645

Way back in 2013 when this model was launched 32GB DIMMs did not exist so Apple listed the maximum possible capacity as 64GB i.e. 4 x 16GB. Since then 32GB DIMMs have become available and it has been confirm 4 x 32GB = 128GB is possible and does work.


Note: The older classic MacPro5,1 can also be upgraded to 128GB with 8 x 16GB.


Since you are discussing upgrading your Mac Pro and mention also upgrading the storage I presume you are referring to the internal SSD drive. Originally this would have been an Apple specific PCIe SSD drive using the AHCI standard and originally this model of Mac Pro would not support newer and faster NVMe type SSD drives. More recent firmware upgrades for this Mac Pro have since added support for NVMe SSD drives so the can now also boot from these. As it happens Samsung no longer make AHCI type SSD drives so this is important as not only are now NVMe ones faster but cheaper and easier to get than AHCI ones.


Apple's SSD slot in the MacPro6,1 like their other Mac models is an M2 type slot but uses a proprietary Apple connector. You therefore cannot simply buy a standard SSD drive and plug it in. You will need a special adapter to do this. This is the adapter used by most people.


https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2016-2013-2015/dp/B07FYY3H5F/


A suitable SSD drive would be this one.


https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-Plus-MZ-V7S1T0B/dp/B07MFZY2F2/


PS. You will need to ensure your Mac Pro has the latest firmware before fitting a new NVMe drive. Do this by either installing High Sierra 10.13.6 or by installing Mojave 10.14.4 on the original SSD drive so as to trigger the installation of the new firmware before fitting the new SSD drive.

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Mac Pro 6.1 (Late 2013) maximum upgrade

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