Mac Pro Memory

[Harlowgold1]

I am going tonight to look at the base MAC PRO 2.66 with 3MG RAM. Apple has an upgrade to 6MG for like $100.00. A question, If I went with just 3MG and I wanted to add more memory wouldn't I have to remove the three inside and replace it with 6?

Thanks - Jenny

[bozz2006]

basically. yes. it comes stock with 3x1GB sticks. however, there are four RAM slots, so you would still have one open. but by filling the fourth slot, you lose the three-channel memory advantage. having 4 DIMMs will add a bit of latency. If you want 6GB total, you'd want to replace the 3x1GB sticks with 3x2GB sticks. in my opinion, it's prudent to just order it that way from apple, as buying the 3x2GB from somewhere like macsales.com will cost $140.

[Tallest Skil]

DON'T BUY FROM APPLE.

Buy from OWC or someone else who actually has real prices.

[bozz2006]

that's fine. i still feel like even though the $100 apple charges to upgrade ends up a little higher, if you want 6GB right off the bat, and you pay $140 from OWC, you have 3 1GB DIMMs that just clutter everything up. that being said, i've never purchased/upgraded RAM from Apple. I've used crucial and OWC.

[Tallest Skil]

that's fine. i still feel like even though the $100 apple charges to upgrade ends up a little higher, if you want 6GB right off the bat, and you pay $140 from OWC, you have 3 1GB DIMMs that just clutter everything up. that being said, i've never purchased/upgraded RAM from Apple. I've used crucial and OWC.

You can sell those sticks back to OWC, though.

[bozz2006]

You can sell those sticks back to OWC, though.
Yes you can do that, but they'll only give you $5 for each 1GB DIMM. (http://eshop.macsales.com/Customized_Pages/Framework.cfm?page=rebatecenter.html) That's $15 bucks and you're still paying $25 more for the OWC RAM than if you ordered it with 6GB from Apple.

[zmttoxics]

Its a hard decision. Doing the upgrade through apple is actually a higher cost, but a lower cost on the wallet. Its 40$ more to do it your self, but then you get the old sticks as spares...

If it were me, I would probably get the base machine stock and use it for a bit. If the performance really isn't what I want, then I would order the RAM for it.

[nick9191]

Cheaper just to buy from Apple in this case.

[Cynicalone]

Apple has very competitive prices now as long as you don't go over 16GB's.

[Harlowgold1]

Will I notice a significant difference by adding the 3MB of RAM to six? Or is three enough?

[bozz2006]

first, it's GB, not MB. and it all depends on how you use your computer. if you do intensive apps, then you'll want the 6. if you like to keep lots of programs and lots of windows open at the same time, you'll want 6. if you don't know, then maybe you should just get 3 and upgrade to 6 later if you think you need it.