Mac Pro 2.93 Ghz RAM Upgrade ...

Depends on if you've used all the memory slots.

I guess you have your answer. 🙂

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

vja4Him wrote:

I would like to upgrade the RAM in my Mac Pro 2.93 Ghz.

I presently have 8GB of RAM. Can I still use this RAM and add more, or will I need to buy the full 16GB of new RAM?

Are there any know issues with certain RAM sticks, or is any RAM just as good for this machine?

While it's not clear to me if you've got all four RAM slots filled with 2GB DIMM's or some other combination leaving slots free, not all DIMM's play nicely together. Check out http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1066-memory to see what combinations might work for you. In any case, you'll want to be sure that the DIMM's meet all of Apple's specs and that the vendor actually stands behind their product rather than just saying so 'till after they get your money.

I would go for the cheapest memory if it meets the specifications and has a manufacturer's lifetime warranty.

If you want to use 8GB DIMMs or larger then you need to insure that they mix, some only work as sets with all 8GB DIMMs.

And those do make a lot of sense for many while smaller 1 or 2GB DIMMs just take up space.

3x8GB is a modest good foundation for graphics apps like CS6 and others and even 32GB is very "affordable."

But Apple and others sell 8GB DIMMs that will not work with other densities which is why you need to be certain ahead of time.

vja4Him wrote:

These are the lowest prices I've found for

DDR3 ECC 1066 MHz 240-PIN (PC3-8500)

> 32GB RAM (8x4) = $244.79 (MacMemoryStore)

> 32GB RAM (8x4) = $312 (DMS)

> 32GB RAM (8x4) = $239.99 (Memory America)

> 32GB RAM (8x4) = $264.99 (OWC)

Since price seems to be the primary concern, I'd suggest also establishing what the shipping and insurance costs will be, especially if you want other than one-of-these-days-after-dark service. I've been amazed at how much they can vary for the same type of shipping service on the same item.

Amazon is great on all the shipping and stuff and they carry Kingston server grade ECC $55 per 8GB DIMM.

Kingston Technology 8 GB (1x8 GB Module) 1066MHz DDR3 PC3-8500 240-Pin Quad Rank Reg ECC x8 DIMM Memory for Select Dell Servers KTD-PE310Q8/8G

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-PC3-8500-KTD-PE310Q8-8G/dp/B003DF8YZC/ r

I'd say Amazon very safe way to ship and buy (doubly so if you have Prime).

vja4Him wrote:

I notice this RAM is for Dell Servers. Would it still work correctly in my MacPro 2.93GHz?

Another question would be if it doesn't would they give you a refund?

You have Xeon; they have Xeon. Some would call it a workstation.

Xeon supports and comes wtih ECC memory.

Servers are more about function, controlled environment, OS.

Amazon esp with Prime is great service.

You really need to get to know your hardware.

vja4Him wrote:

...Are there any know issues with certain RAM sticks, or is any RAM just as good for this machine?

As a data point, last week I added a fourth DIMM to my 6 core Mac Pro to go from 24GB to 32GB. In the process of ordering, I discovered that Mac Pro ECC DIMMs come buffered or non-buffered and the two don't mix. The non-buffered are cheaper and can be mixed with other size DIMMs. The buffered are more expensive and must be used in matched sets. They also come with heatsinks, which is, as they say, cool.

The upside is that the fourth DIMM shares the same bus as the third DIMM, and from what I've read, the sharing is smoother (i.e., faster) with the buffered DIMMs. The overall memory bus is slightly slower when there are four rather than three DIMMs installed, but the slowdown is less with the buffered DIMMs. The measured difference is likely pretty small but at least the combination is going in the right (quicker) direction. I didn't know about the two kinds of DIMMs when I started to order the fourth but the OWC salesman caught the disparity (I had buffered DIMMs already installed) and made sure I got the right kind.