Kingston Memory for Mac Pro !

I have to say that my Kingston RAM (KTA-MP667K2/2GB) is running just fine. Like you I find Kingston to be much easier to source locally.

Cool! Just be sure that the RAM you're buying has the KTA-MP667K2 product code. if it doesn't then you aren't getting the RAM that has been tested in the Mac Pro nor will have the larger required heatsinks. It's important to buy this model and this model only.

Hi Ned,

I while back I had asking about Kingston RAM feedback but at that time noone seemed to have tried that brand yet. I had done some research on the Kingston Website and via the OWC website and found the following link.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?page=Tips/fbdimms/fbdimms.html

It displays RAM that looks like Kingston RAM with the black heat sink fins. I thought that it was the wrong way to go according to the info on OWCs website.

1) Is their info incorrect/wrong?
2) Was I misleaded?
3) Does YOUR Kingston RAM look like the one on the OWC website?

I finally purchased the OWC qualified RAM 2x512 MB kit(via their website)instead of the Kingston RAM (via an outlet in Ottawa).

4) Was I dupped with wrong info from OWC?

I am asking because I plan on purchasing another kit (2x1 GB RAM) in a few months and I am not sure whether to go with the Netlist kit from OWC or with Kingston RAM.

Rio.

1) Their info isn't wrong. What they're displaying is what is equivalent to Kingston's ValueRAM product. This moniker is used for their generic RAM so will represent their generic FB-DIMMs and heat spreaders.

2) I don't think so. However, it's possible that you weren't given a good explanation by OWC/Kingston for the difference.

3) My Kingston KTA-MP667K2 series RAM looks EXACTLY like the other Apple RAM in my MP. Once they're installed you can't actually tell the difference from the top nor end (can can obviously do so from the side by the Kingston logo compared to the Micron/Nanya logos of my other RAM).

4) Ned shrugs his shoulders and thinks it's a matter of opinion. As I'm sure you're aware, there's a big difference between the right thing and not the wrong thing. Where the truth lies ultimately comes down to how you interpret what's written and the information you have before reading.

Thanks for the info Ned.

Do I understand it more now:
1) the prefix KVR=Kingston Value RAM? It has the black heat sinks that are parallel to the Green RAM stick, right?

2) the prefix KTA=the one YOU purchased. Yours has the four heat sinks that look like fish fins and stick out perpendicularly (90°)from the Green RAM stick, right?

Where did you purchase your Kingston RAM from?

Rio.

1) Yes, KVR prefixed RAM is a ValuRAM product and has a low profile heatspreader/heatsink.

2) Yes, any KTA prefixed RAM is Apple certified and is the RAM that I have. It is specific in actual fact to RAM for Apple products. In the specific case of the Mac Pro RAM, it has the same heatspreader/heatsink as the Apple RAM as you describe.

Where did you purchase your Kingston RAM from?

I bought mine from a local reseller. They actually had to order it as it's not something that they usually stock. Ultimately any reseller (online or not) that can buy Kingston products can order this RAM. Given you're in Canada you might want to contact any Kingston stockist that's a little nearer to you.

Also, for me the fact that it's locally sourced there's far less of an issue in case of a return. Not to mention that it's now competively priced helps too.

Thanks for your reassurance Ned,

I wish I had that info before I purchased my OWC RAM since Kingston was my first choice.

I listened to a RAM installation video on OWC which suggested to stay with the same brand if adding more RAM into the MacPro. If I already added the OWC Apple Qualified 1GB kit, do I really need to stay with their brand? or could I move on to a Kingston 2GB kit without impeding system performance?

Rio.

I already added the OWC Apple Qualified 1GB kit, do I really need to stay with their brand?

No. Qualified and tested RAM is qualified and tested RAM. As long as the RAM is the same within a pair you won't have issue mixing and matching. For the record I have Kingston, Micron and Nanya (I think - though it definitely a 3rd manufacturer) RAM in my MP.

Thanks again Ned,

I went RAM window shopping on CDW.CA since I'm in Canada.
I punched in KTA-MP667K2 in their search engine and I still got the picture of the type of RAM that was not suggested on the OWC site. Its heat sink/spreaders are parallel (FLAT KIND)to the RAM stick.
Am I too stupid to understand what you have explained and confirmed to me or am I misinterpreting things?
What am I missing?

Rio.

I just had a quick look and the picture they've used for the KTA-MP667K2/2G product is in fact Kingston's generic FB-DIMM product and may simply be through a lack of a correct image coming from Kingston. The product number is correct and to be honest, I would have no problem ordering it under these conditions. You are afterall ordering with a Kingston part number rather than a CDW part number plus a non-specific description like "Kingston 2GB memory kit for Mac Pro". The Kingston part number is clearly displayed.

If you are unsure then they do have a phone number so that you can confirm.

I have two KTA-MP667K2/4G in my new Mac Pro 8-core, and it runs like a charm.

However, I bought the mac with the minimal of 1 GByte RAM installed.

I tried to add the Kingston RAM's to the 1GByte, I had the RAM's installed 4-4-1, but than I had the issue that the system does not want to soft-boot (i.e. reboot)... allthough it runs o.k. and even an extensive RAM test is succesfull, I decided to remove the 1 GByte Apple RAM.

After I took out the Apple RAM's, all was O.K. again.

Mixing RAM sizes or Brands seem to cause problems.

I just had a quick look and
the picture they've used for the KTA-MP667K2/2G
product is in fact Kingston's generic FB-DIMM product
and may simply be through a lack of a correct image
coming from Kingston. The product number is correct
and to be honest, I would have no problem ordering it
under these conditions. You are afterall ordering
with a Kingston part number rather than a CDW part
number plus a non-specific description like "Kingston
2GB memory kit for Mac Pro". The Kingston part number
is clearly displayed.

If you are unsure then they do have a phone number so
that you can confirm.

Hi Ned,

I will start a new Post regarding this Kingston RAM. Could you reply so I could reward you with the proper points and mark this issue solved in my case?

Rio.