Any experience with RAM from "Komputerbay" or "MacMemory Net" both through Amazon?

Question

Any experience with RAM from "Komputerbay" or "MacMemory Net" both through Amazon?

My 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 2.66 GHz Quad currently has 13 GB of RAM installed. I would like to take out the two original half-meg modules and replace them with either two 2GB modules or two 4GB sticks, which would bring my total installed RAM up to 16 GB or 20 GB respectively (not going overboard here, I know).

I'm doing my due diligence through Google searches, of course, but asking here too feels like an obvious must.

While I'm fully aware that Crucial and OWC are usually the top recommendations when folks ask about RAM, these offerings from Amazon through Amazon merchants by the name of "Komputerbay"and "green tech" are too tempting to leave unexplored and/or unresearched. Heat might be a concern.

4GB set (2x2GN), $28 shipped, sold by Komputerbay and Fulfilled by Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B002ORUUAC/ref=s r_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1371536435&sr=1-5&keywords=%284GB+x+2%29+PC5300+ DDR2+ECC+667MHz+240+Pin+FB-DIMM+Modules+apple+Mac+Pro+-%284x-2gb%29

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8GB set (2x4GB), $131 shipped, from green tech through Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/DDR2-667-FB-DIMM-Buffered-PC3-5300-667Mhz/dp/B0098ML8GG/re f=sr_1_43?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1371535566&sr=1-43&keywords=8gb+%282x4gb%29+PC5300+DD R2+ECC+667MHz+240+Pin+apple+mac+pro

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 2.66GHz Quad Core 2006; 13 GB RAM

Posted on Jun 17, 2013 11:44 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

126,991 points

Jun 18, 2013 6:53 AM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

The hatter suggests those Komputerbay ones often, adding that even in the 2008 that could take slightly faster ones, you get a 17 percent speed boost if all slots are filled.

You need them to say "Apple" somewhere in the listing, so that they will have the Apple-compatible temp sensors on board, and have those great hulking heatsinks on them. Without the proper temp sensor, the main fans will race all the time. "Flat" heatsinks are not adequate for FBDIMMs in the Mac Pro, as the airflow is "optimized" for low noise levels.

same vendor showed this in my viewing:

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B0062AG33A/ref=p d_sim_sbs_pc_4

and it looks like the manufacturer is selling aginst the retailer as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Memory-2006-2007-MA356LL-BUFFERED/dp/B0085MH238/ ref=pd_sim_sbs_pc_14

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jun 18, 2013 6:57 AM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

I filled my 1,1 wtih the Kompu set so I know they are excellent and run much cooler which is great. I have been posting link to those for last year too.

You only need the link up to "/ref" and all that ref and beyond just remove. Those are your search and where you came from to the product.

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B002ORUUAC/

If you want to use just 4 DIMMs, ideal, you pay extra but that also means you can go to more than 16GB (which I find is enough and got there in two upgrades, gradually).

There are better choices and prices now it seems than at any time previously.

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Answer 3

Jun 18, 2013 7:04 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you, that helps.

All my RAM slots are filled now, but two of them have the 512MB stock modules and those two are the ones that I'd like to replace. The other six slots have 2GB sticks in them, so adding 2 x 2GB would bring me up to 16 Gb total. Adding 2 x 4GB will give me 20GB, and that is sweetly appealing.

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jun 18, 2013 7:12 AM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

While at it, pick up if you have not already, one of the Samsumg 840 SSDs (or more!)

Nice for system. I'm going for a pair on Sonnet Tempo PCIe card that holds SSDs (but not bootable in our model) for photo editing workspace.

Even 500GB SSDs are looking tempting.

I bought Apple ATI 5770. Don't know what is next or if there will never be another card that works and is supported for us. I doubt AMD 7xxx ever will.

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Answer 5

Jun 18, 2013 7:19 AM in response to The hatter

Thank you, hatter. That almost clinches it. It actually does if I decide to go for just the 2 x 2 GB. 🙂

The 8GB (2 x 4GB) option also is very, very tempting, although that's from a different vendor, not the Kompubay guys.

Any thoughts on NEMIXRAM ? I like that they even specifically mention the 2006 MacPro:

8GB (2X4GB) NEMIX RAM Certified Memory for APPLE MAC PRO 2006-2007 1,1 2,1 MA356LL/A A1186 (DDR2 667MHz FBDIMM FULLY BUFFERED)

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Answer 6

Jun 18, 2013 7:22 AM in response to The hatter

The hatter wrote:

While at it, pick up if you have not already, one of the Samsumg 840 SSDs (or more!)…

That will have to wait a bit—fixed income and all that. 😀

Thank you for the tip.

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jun 18, 2013 7:59 AM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

Either is fine it looks like and I like the way Komputerbay packages theirs.

The SSD is $98 and a real nice boost - so if you go $32 vs $96 option you are part way there.

I try to have a slush fund for computer - and stay ahead for emergencies and 'wants.' But darn I do want!

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Answer 8

Jun 20, 2013 7:02 AM in response to The hatter

Well, I finally went with the 2 x 2 GB set from Komputerbay, an amazing deal at $28 shipped. That'll bring my Mac Pro1,1 up to 16 GB, which I agree is quite enough for Photoshop 13.0.5 and Adobe Bridge.

Seemed like the most sensible choice, especially in the light that I'll be keeping my instantly switchable (well maybe it takes two seconds, really) PPG G5 Quad that also has 16 GB of RAM and where I'll continue to run my various, older, 32-bit applications like Adobe Illustrator and Bridge (never fell for the phony Adobe suite scam), as well as all my other programs.

Thank you again, hatter and Grant. 🙂

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