6Gb or 8Gb RAM

[glassbathroom]

Here a question on memory. I am planning on buying a new 12 core mac. I can afford to go for much memory and don't need it anyway. I was going for the base 6Gb (6 x 1Gb units). I am wondering if it's worth going for the 8Gb (4 x 2Gb), as it is likely to be only a little bit extra money. This leaves more space for more memory if I decide to upgrade later.

My question is does it help to spread the memory out in 1Gb units, or does it not matter if I go with (4x2gGb). Discounting the extra 2Gb, is 6x1Gb better than 3x2Gb?

[Ravich]

It does not sound like you have any reason to be buying a 12 core Mac Pro. What are you going to use it for?

[rajbonham]

This guy can afford to drop $5,000 on a Mac Pro, but can't spend a lot of money on RAM? What alternate universe am I in? Surely I'm not understanding this right??

[glassbathroom]

This guy can afford to drop $5,000 on a Mac Pro, but can't spend a lot of money on RAM? What alternate universe am I in? Surely I'm not understanding this right??

Give me a break! I need the cores for 3D rendering. Extra memory is little help here. Just because I am already spending a lot doesn't mean I have money to burn. Grow up.

[rajbonham]

Give me a break! I need the cores for 3D rendering. Extra memory is little help here. Just because I am already spending a lot doesn't mean I have money to burn. Grow up.

Okay, okay, I guess I was a little rude in my reply. :o If you ask me, you can never go wrong with extra RAM.

[glassbathroom]

Okay, okay, I guess I was a little rude in my reply. :o If you ask me, you can never go wrong with extra RAM.

Thanks for this. I appreciate it.

You are probably right but I have kind of reached my limit on money and I can always add RAM later (cheaper than from Apple)

[VirtualRain]

If you don't need more than 6GB, then just get 6... It will perform slightly better in tri-channel mode (3 DIMMS per CPU) than in dual-channel which is what you get with only 2 DIMMS per CPU.

[glassbathroom]

If you don't need more than 6GB, then just get 6... It will perform slightly better in tri-channel mode (3 DIMMS per CPU) than in dual-channel which is what you get with only 2 DIMMS per CPU.

Hi VirtualRain,

Thanks for this. I thought that might be the case. There would still be enough room to easily expand to 10Gb later. I will have a think about it.

[gaspra]

Hi VirtualRain,

Thanks for this. I thought that might be the case. There would still be enough room to easily expand to 10Gb later. I will have a think about it.

I am using additional 4GB Patriot ECC memory in my early 2009 mac pro. It works flawlessly with the other 6GB Apple memory. Only costed me $110 for the upgrade.

[ValSalva]

I am using additional 4GB Patriot ECC memory in my early 2009 mac pro. It works flawlessly with the other 6GB Apple memory. Only costed me $110 for the upgrade.

Patriot also offers ECC DDR3 1333 RAM modules. I wonder if this will be the only option on launch day for the new Mac Pro. I don't think OWC has these modules yet.

[TheBritishBloke]

Buy the 8GB for now. Then you have slots free incase you do end up wanting to upgrade, this way you don't have to buy a whole new set of RAM

[highdefw]

Grab the 8gb unless your positive you won't upgrade in the future, which I doubt...

[glassbathroom]

Hey Guys,

Many thanks for all the advice. I have stuck with the base 6Gb. Apple are charging £120 more for the extra 2Gb to take it to 8Gb. As I can get 4Gb for that (Crucial), I thought I would save my money for now.

I may have to swap out some or all of the 1Gb modules at some point, but by that time RAM will have reduced further in price.