Upgrading memory on Mac Pro 4,1

You will never actually run out of RAM memory, your Mac will use Virtual Memory to simulate RAM on your Hard Drive. But Virtual Memory is S-l-o-w.

What sort of work do you do with your Mac? Do you edit Videos? Do you run CS5?

Hi snowjunky8,

It is very easy to install memory modules in your 2009 Nehalem Mac Pro:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macpro2009_memh/

These other OWC Install Videos are useful for future upgrades:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macpro_2009/

If you live in the States then one option is to buy your RAM from OWC, especially if you want 8GB modules:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1066-memory

Your 8- Core Mac Pro has 8 memory slots, and how much RAM you need depends a lot upon what applications/software you use.

I find that 16GB is adequate for my needs at the moment, and I have 8 x 2GB of Kingston RAM.

Kingston is a memory brand which I can thoroughly recommend from personal experience, and mine has been 100% problem-free.

Kingston also sell 4GB modules, but not 8GB ones at present.

The Nehalem Mac Pros have triple channel memory controllers, with the third and fourth memory slot of each processor sharing one channel, but I prefer to fill all 8 of my MacPro's slots.

If you are not already aware of Lloyd Chambers' Mac performance Guide, then this website is a mine of useful information:
http://macperformanceguide.com/index_topics.html

Regards,

Bill

PS

If you do buy your memory from OWC, they will give you a trade-in allowance for your original 6 x 1GB of Apple RAM.

Message was edited by: Biltan-Wales