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I'm in IMMEDIATE NEED of Ram

This is my first post here, and I signed up just so I can get some real world answers from fellow Mac Pro 1,1 Owners....here goes;

Today in 2015, do you still recommend Komputerbay or Nemix as I've seen you suggest in older posts?

I'm in a REALLY BAD situation, I'm in the middle of completing a project, and the Memory crapped out on me this weekend. I was already considering upgrading to a Mac Pro 2009 for the hardware benefits, but now I'm in IMMEDIATE NEED of Ram, and need to complete this project before I can even think about upgrading to a Mac Pro 2009.

Having said that, OWC's 16GB is $265.00 http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/53FB4MPK16GB/ and NEMIX 16GB on Amazon is $99 http://www.amazon.com/8X2GB-NEMIX-Certified-Memory-667MHz/dp/B0085MH1AW/ref=sr_1 _10?ie=UTF8&qid=1422849560&sr=8-10&keywords=nemix+16gb

To stir the pot even further, this morning I searched eBay and came across a used set of Samsung 16GB for $78.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16GB-4x4GB-PC2-5300F-ECC-FB-DIMM-Memory-Apple-Mac-Pro-20 06-1-1-2007-2-1-Samsun-/371236253038?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566f67ad6e#r pdCntId as well as a used set of Crucial 16GB for $79.80 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crucial-16GB-4x4GB-PC2-5300F-ECC-FBDIMM-Apple-Mac-Pro-20 06-1-1-2007-2-1-Memory-/351282005551

I would consider new memory from Crucial, but their website doesn't show anything new at all for the Mac Pro, it seems as if they no longer make memory for the Mac Pro 1,1 2006-2007.

It was that Samsung find on eBay that brought me to this post, after doing a Google search on the type of Ram. This is where Hatter said..."Apple OEM FBDIMMs would expect to show trouble at 3 yrs of age" Speaking about original, I've had my Mac Pro 1,1 for 3 years, and I bought it from the original owner who upgraded the Ram to 8GB...I'm now down to 2GB, and my Audio Software won't even load.

I'm in DESPERATE NEED of RAM, and if I could save more than a few bucks, then I will...If I have to spend $265 at OWC, I'll do it, but I won't be a happy camper because I'd rather put that extra money into an SSD that's in the very near future for me. I NEED to make a purchase today, so I can get back on the project by the end of the week.

Thank you for your time in reading this, and thank you in advance for your forthcoming advice/suggestions.

All The Best!!!

<Re-Titled By Host>

Posted on Feb 2, 2015 6:57 AM

58 replies

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 6, 2015 6:12 AM in response to 13th Crowned

Again, it recognizes the 16GB, but it's acting like I only have 2GB.

Thanks

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 6, 2015 7:09 AM in response to 13th Crowned

for the purpose of DIMM failure or such

A - Your OS system may have developed problems

B - only interested in System Profile > Memory as far as whether there is 16GB of memory and no errors showing, not in "how it feels"

Also a good idea (use to be essential) to wipe out and reset NVRAM and/or the SMC (or PMU or such) when making changing and just to be sure.

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 6, 2015 7:46 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks Hatter, it DOES show up in System Profile as 16GB. I'll definitely reset the NVRAM this evening and see what happens.

I hope it's not as you suggested here...A - Your OS system may have developed problems

I really need to finish up this project, and if I'm forced to reload everything from scratch because of the OS, that'll be a MAJOR, MAJOR, BUMMER.😢

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 6, 2015 7:59 AM in response to 13th Crowned

Carbon Copy Cloner and a shelf of backup system clones means never having to say sorry, or start over from scratch.

There should always be one from last OS, another from before you updated, and before you installed version X +1 of that app "ABC's"

You should never trust anything after the point in time when there are memory errors or any kind. Everything from then on is suspect.

A system is easy to restore.

Data can be checked for integrity.

Just cloning a drive with "file integrity checksums" in CCC is a good idea.

And this could be one time where one of those $99 utility programs fits, IF it can check every file for content type errors (date, time, metadata etc)

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 6, 2015 8:14 AM in response to The hatter

I do have a current copy of Time Machine from over the weekend, and CCC as recent as last night. My mindset was "IF", there's a problem with the OS as you suggested, then it'll just clone the same problem right back on the system without solving anything...that's why I figured it's probably best to start from scratch as painful as it would be. I will do the NVRAM reset as soon as I get home though.

Now as for the $99 utility program that you spoke of, I'll entertain that if you have any specific recommendations. Everything was SMOOTH until the memory failed over the weekend. Never had a problem at all with that 1,1...WOW

Thanks again

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 20, 2015 6:30 AM in response to 13th Crowned

Good day Hatter,

I scored an Original/Genuine 2010 Mac Pro 6 Core 3.33Ghz from eBay, and I'm getting ready to order those upgrades that you suggested. Here's what I got...http://www.ebay.com/itm/111600082094?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STR K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

As per your suggestion, you said to consider the following items;

Samsung XP941 512GB

Lycom DT-120 M.2 PCIe to PCIe 3.0 x4 Adapter (Support M.2 PCIe 2280, 2260, 2242)

First things first, the link to the Lycom Adapter on Amazon is showing that's it's unavailable. As per RamCity's website they recommend the Lycom, and (2) different adapters from Bplus. One has a heatsink, and the other one doesn't.

http://www.amazon.com/M2P4A-PCIe-2-0-NGFF-Adapter/dp/B00IPO7YCU

http://www.amazon.com/Bplus-M2P4S-NGFF-PCIe-Adapter/dp/B00KHMTER6

What's your take on either one? Is the version with the heatsink the preferred route? In reading the (2) reviews, both people said there was a gap between the card, and the heatsink, and suggested some thermal paste DIY stuff. With this technology being the greatest thing since sliced bread, I expected to see more than (2) reviews, or even more than (16) reviews for the XP941 on Amazon.

You initially suggested the Samsung 850 EVO 250 SSD with the Icy Dock 2.5 Adapter/Converter, and then about 30minutes later, you suggested the XP941 with the Lycom DT-120 Adapter.

Money-wise, I'm trying to understand, and figure out if the extra $$$ spent on the XP941 vs the 850 EVO would be substantial enough to justify it.

Performance-wise, I already know that coming from the world of regular hard drive platters, either one would be a MASSIVE upgrade in speed for me.

Any final thoughts, Pros/Cons to help me solidify these purchases for my new 6 Core 3.33Ghz Mac Pro?

Thank you for your time in reading this, and your forthcoming response...All The Best!

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 20, 2015 6:50 AM in response to 13th Crowned

This one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LM4EPF4/

Or, Amazon.com: Sintech M.2(NGFF) M Key PCI-e SSD to PCIe X4 Adapter Card For Samsung XP941 MZHPU: Computers & Accessories

For people who had planned on $100 controller and 2 x 500GB SSD to get 950MB/sec in a RAID, and were already planning on $500 or more investment, I like the XP941. Also for $500 you could have a 1TB EVO 850 and controller / a true Apple OEM blade 768GB /

ie, there is no one right answer either now or for everyone. And you have $1500 already in your upgrade investment. Things to look forward to down the road.

Audio library and plugins and such love SSDs as does the system.

Having a 5,1 means PCIe slots 3&4 are fully independent and do not have any bandwidth share issue.

(That means you could have TWO XP941s 🙂 or something else in there. System SSD and Audio SSDs)

The 256GB for $260 is nice middle road.

Samsung XP941 256GB PCIe 2.0 x4 M.2 SSD MZHPU256HCGL at Amazon

Those that have used all three SATA II SSD vs PCIe SATA 3 vs XP941 of course love the latest (and greatest)

The Apple OEM units are even more popular on MacRumors 652

Apple Samsung 768 GB PCIe SSD for MacBookPro Retina, iMac,Mac Pro Late 2013-2014 | eBay

Congrats!

(Not sure what $99 but Disk Warrior and TechTool Pro or even TriBackup 6 - the last one insures valid file copy and even ownership/permission)

Usually CCC and multiple backup clones is enough, having a clone from month(s) ago that is untouched even.

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 20, 2015 7:34 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks for your quick reply Hatter, I'm leaning toward the XP941 256GB as the system drive. I can't afford "at the moment" to put in anything bigger in there because of the price. As you noticed, I just spent $1500 on the 5,1, and I'll have to do upgrades in phases to get it tricked out properly 😢. In other financial news, I need a radiator, and 4 tires for my vehicle 😐, so I have to pace myself on spending on the upgrades... I just need to get the 5,1 up and running QUICK 😎.

With that said, for immediate use upon arrival of the 5,1, I'll get the XP941 256GB as the system drive, and continue to use my 7200 RPM WD Black 1TB Sample Drive, and another 7200 RPM WD Black 1TB Drive for Audio. I also have a miscellaneous 750GB Drive for iTunes and other stuff, while backing everything up on (2) separate drives to CCC, and Time Machine as per my usual protocol.

In a few month's time, I'll get an 850 EVO in the picture as well. As for plugins, I should be fine running the plugins on the system drive in the default folder shouldn't I? I did it for years with my 1,1 without a hitch...I have a few plugin sample libraries that are on my Sample Drive, but the plugin is installed on the system drive in the default folder. So basically, it runs from the system drive, but loads the samples from the 7200RPM Sample Drive.

I've read about others doing it that way with the SSDs as well, which is an improvement from my 7200RPM Drives...enlighten me on that if you will.

Thanks again Hatter...All The Best

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 20, 2015 8:17 AM in response to 13th Crowned

Guess you can't do two tires now and two later, huh?? Nah.

A 1TB SSD EVO 850 would be nice in there. I don't know how much storage all your audio needs but as you said, this will be a real dent in any sluggishness you had had!

Ideal is to put in as large a SSD volume as possible and let it handle as much as possible, though not iTunes.

If you run Yosemite, then forget for now having TRIM support. And my usage of SSDs has been to keep 40% free. Of course OS X is small and only needs 30GB so for me 128GB was doable (but the XP941 128GB has slower writes, "slow" being 450MB/sec and 400MB/sec tested by Samsung Magician. The 256GB handles 800MB/sec.

Your 1,1 can be a backup even as well and act as fallback fail-safe if need be.

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 20, 2015 8:41 AM in response to The hatter

The 1,1 will be sold as soon as I get the 5,1 up and running 😁. My fallback fail-safe is actually my 2011 MBP Dual Core i5 that runs like a dream. That's what I've been using in the meantime when the memory crapped out a few weeks back on the 1,1....NEMIX Ram still going strong...thanks for that as well.

Right out the box, the 5,1 will be configured like this;

XP941 256 GB = OS X & Applications

Slot 1 = Sample Libraries Drive

Slot 2 = Audio Drive (Pro Tools Projects)

Slot 3 = Miscellaneous Drive (iTunes, Documents, Pictures, etc)

Slot 4 = Time Machine

External Drive - CCC

I TOTALLY agree with you on the 1TB SSD, but in the immediate future, I'll have to hold off until after the 4 wheel alignment gets done 😁.

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 20, 2015 8:48 AM in response to 13th Crowned

One more thing Hatter...what do you think about this adapter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-2014-MacBook-Air-A1465-A1466-Pro-A1502-A1398-MD712- SSD-PCI-e-4X-adapter-/221591738684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3397e5993c&afs rc=1&rmvSB=true

I read about it over at MacRumors, the guy says there's a revised version with a heatsink, but save your money and get this one instead. Check out the discussion at the top of this page with the MID November 2014 Update... http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1685821

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 20, 2015 9:53 AM in response to 13th Crowned

I think they all work! matter of where you are and shipping & handling, if you have Amazon Prime or not too.

$10 vs $20 vs $?

I will say that these blades are tiny and took me awhile to attach to the adapter.

I used tweezers and needle-nose along with a small screw driver with magnet head.

I like the Lycom, it is small, sits snug and doesn't take up any room.

I did not like the one that looked to be longer and support two interfaces: SATA or PCIe also.

As long as they are 4x you are fine.

Oh, forget the ebay listed link: Estimated between Wed. Mar. 25 and Tue. Apr. 28

Thanks, but no thanks 😟

13th Crowned Author

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Feb 20, 2015 10:38 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks again Hatter...to bottom line it, I'm gathering that the adapters with the heatsinks are not necessary for the Mac Pro 5,1. The Lycom is out of stock on Amazon, while Ram City is selling it on eBay for $45 after shipping... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lycom-M-2-PCIe-SSD-to-PCIe-3-0-x4-adapter-DT-120-/251521 153976

Just for kicks, I'll do some hunting on eBay this afternoon to see what I find for an Apple OEM SSD as suggested on the Mac Rumors link above.

All The Best!

I'm in IMMEDIATE NEED of Ram