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strausd
May 30, 2010, 05:36 PM
I have heard that you cannot use both Apple RAM and OWC RAM at the same time in the same computer. So if I were to have two 4GB Apple sticks and two 4GB OWC sticks installed in a Mac Pro, what would happen? I am mainly asking because their 4GB sticks are much cheaper than Crucials. Thanks!


calderone
May 30, 2010, 05:52 PM
Where did you hear this? It sounds like BS.
ithinkitsnice
May 30, 2010, 06:01 PM
Where did you hear this? It sounds like BS.


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566D3MPE4GB/

IMPORTANT OWC NOTE:

OWC p/n OWC8566D3MPE4GB 4GB modules require that all installed modules be of this same matching part. Other existing Apple or 3rd party 1GB, 2GB and 4GB modules are not supported for use with this kit and need to be removed when this kit is added.
strausd
May 30, 2010, 06:34 PM
Is this the same for Crucial RAM?
ithinkitsnice
May 30, 2010, 06:38 PM
OWC is the only retailer I've ever seen that from. I noticed it when buying from them last week. Never visited their site before so I've no idea how long they've been saying that.
Apple Corps
May 30, 2010, 06:43 PM
Crucial ram prices are now absurd - toss or sell the Apple ram and load up with OWC - way more ram for the $$

I just loaded four 4GB OWC modules and have the Apple modules stored in the closet.
ValSalva
May 30, 2010, 06:45 PM
I've seen this before at OWC. I'm not sure why either. If the memory works in the Mac Pro, i.e. it is ECC and the correct speed and frequency then they should all work together even if the latencies are different. Maybe OWC is trying to limit its support costs by eliminating any possibility of mixing different and incompatible RAM modules as being a problem.
Apple Corps
May 30, 2010, 06:51 PM
ValSalva - that could be - but with only 4 slots in my new Quad I had to simply dump the pathetic 1 GB modules and load up.
ithinkitsnice
May 30, 2010, 07:05 PM
I've seen this before at OWC. I'm not sure why either. If the memory works in the Mac Pro, i.e. it is ECC and the correct speed and frequency then they should all work together even if the latencies are different. Maybe OWC is trying to limit its support costs by eliminating any possibility of mixing different and incompatible RAM modules as being a problem.

In the UK it would be illegal to make a claim like that if it weren't true and I'd be surprised if there wasn't an equivalent law in the US(?). It would be totally unethical anyway.

I'll assume the claim correct because they'd have to be massively stupid if it wasn't.
yezza
May 30, 2010, 07:10 PM
I have heard that you cannot use both Apple RAM and OWC RAM at the same time in the same computer. So if I were to have two 4GB Apple sticks and two 4GB OWC sticks installed in a Mac Pro, what would happen? I am mainly asking because their 4GB sticks are much cheaper than Crucials. Thanks!

I have 8GB of OWC and the original 2GB of Apple ram in my 2008 Mac Pro and it works perfectly fine.
ithinkitsnice
May 30, 2010, 07:29 PM
I have 8GB of OWC and the original 2GB of Apple ram in my 2008 Mac Pro and it works perfectly fine.

they don't make that claim for the RAM for the 2008 model though

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/64FB4MPK08GB/
calderone
May 30, 2010, 08:33 PM
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566D3MPE4GB/

So if it comes straight from OWC, why not ask OWC for clarification?

Transintl, makes the same recommendation.

http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2766

EDIT: Well, I tried to ask but there is no tech support today which is who would answer this question.

The sales rep just reiterated that they have to be matched.
strausd
May 30, 2010, 09:47 PM
So when the next mac pro comes out, I plan on getting dual hexas. Should i not upgrade the RAM at all and buy only OWC and just put the 1GB modules in my closet too?
Shademaster
May 31, 2010, 05:34 AM
No problems here, had 4GB of Apple ram preinstalled and added 8GB of OWC ram later. No problems at all :) .

Running a MacPro 3.1 with 8cores running at 3.00.
CCK
May 31, 2010, 09:33 AM
So when the next mac pro comes out, I plan on getting dual hexas. Should i not upgrade the RAM at all and buy only OWC and just put the 1GB modules in my closet too?

Owc will buy your old ram, They gave me $70 for 2x2 Gbs out of my 09.
calderone
May 31, 2010, 10:33 AM
So when the next mac pro comes out, I plan on getting dual hexas. Should i not upgrade the RAM at all and buy only OWC and just put the 1GB modules in my closet too?

This assumes the same limitation will be there. Without knowing exactly why, we can't say whether the next Mac Pro will be the same in that regard.
strausd
May 31, 2010, 01:32 PM
Well even if there are no limitations on the next one, I think I'll still buy OWC because of upgrading.
calderone
May 31, 2010, 02:07 PM
Well even if there are no limitations on the next one, I think I'll still buy OWC because of upgrading.

I have read this a few times and don't know what you are saying.

If there are no limitations on matching sets for sticks 4GB+ you could leave the Apple RAM in and use the OWC RAM.

The original question was inquiry about mixing RAM, not whether or not you should buy from Apple or OWC.
calderone
Jun 1, 2010, 11:09 AM
OWC tech support was out til today. Here is the answer from them:

This is a side-effect of the manufacturing process. Honestly I don't know the specific reason why they don't work with other chips, I just know that in our in-house testing we've found that they don't.

These 4 and 8GB chips are the only ones among our entire line that have that requirement, too.