My 2006 1.1 has been pretty solid over the past 10 years. I've updated to Lion 10.7.5 which is the highest it can go. Is it possible to run 64 bit apps on it if I add more memory? If so what are the ins and outs of doing this?
Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 5GB RAM with dual monitors, Ableton
Yes, it can run and has been running 64-bit applications. However, since this is 2014 I don't believe your MP has been solid for 10 years yet. 🙂
You should have your memory installed in matched pairs, so if you have only 5 GBs of RAM then you are not getting the best memory performance that you can.
About RAM installation in the 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.
5GB is too light on memory, means that you still have two older original OEM FBDIMMs that are not contributing much other than heat and using 10W each.
Pull those, get a set of 2 x 2GB $25 (or less) on Amazon, throw in a 250GB ($139) SSD and your system will be much more responsive.
You have 64-bit processor but 32-bit EFI so as is you are not using 64-bit kernel and drivers and apps are "limited" to 3.5GB per process/task address space - not usually a huge issue and seeing you only had 5GB anyway you would not have seen or used more memory per processor to see an improvement.
New FBDIMMs even when they are not Apple approved with heat sinks tend to run so much cooler anyway and some users are using standard server grade FBDIMMs - not that you need to given the cost and availability of those that do on Amazon "Mac Pro FBDIMM 667MHz"
So I need FBDIMM and not DDR2s?
2006 through 2008 use FBDIMMs
only 2009 and later use DDR2 and faster.
So if I add these a 64bit music recording app can use this memory for plugins etc?
Kappy has answered the very narrow (perhaps deceptively narrow) question you asked.
Your Mac cannot run the 64-bit Kernel, and therefore cannot address more than 4GB of Memory in any single App. There is nothing you can do to change that. It cannot run 64-bit Apps in 64-bit mode.
If you are willing to install an Emulator (which Apple does not support), you can emulate the 64-bit EFI in software. You need to be a developer or think like one. There is no support, so if you get in a jam, you need to be able to fix it yourself.
2009 and later use DDR3
2006-2008 use DDR2
They ARE DDR2 FBDIMMs those are not exclusive of each other.
Thanks to all that have so far contributed to my thread here;
Ok so now I'm a bit confused:
"Your Mac cannot run the 64-bit Kernel, and therefore cannot address more than 4GB of Memory in any single App. There is nothing you can do to change that. It cannot run 64-bit Apps in 64-bit mode".
So why are there all these RAM slots in my computer? One minute it's yes you can run 64 bit apps...the next no. Why is my question narrow? I just want to make as much use of it as possible?
Is there still a tech sheet on this site that shows all the earlier Mac Pros?
The confusing terminology used to describe this area is regrettable.
Your Mac has a 64-bit processor. Your Mac can run almost all 64-bit Applications designed for it. (even with a 32-bit kernel).
The one 64-bit program it cannot run is the Mac OS X 64-bit kernel (standard in 10.8 and later) that contains the 64-bit memory allocation routine. So the memory-spaces available are limited to 4GB in size. Some Applications get around that limitation by creating multiple tasks, each with a 4GB memory-space, and have them talk to each other to get the job done.
Can my Mac Pro run 64 bit Apps?
