OWC 8GB ram compatibility

[M Zorin]

Here's an interesting thing:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1333D3MPE8GB/

"This module is compatible with the following Mac Pro 6-core Xeon Models"

Top of the list, 6-core 3.33ghz Westmere.

Maybe they've been testing it today?

[eponym]

Yeah, it certainly seems like that's confirmation.

[malch]

so... if this works, could I add two of these modules (for a 16GB) total, and leave the other two slots free for future RAM?
(sorry, I've been confused by posts that seem to say that you shouldn't fill all four slots, so now I'm wondering if filling just two is a good thing, or not).
regards, malch

[reel2reel]

The suspense is killing me. If I can get two 8 GB sticks for now, that would be awesome (knowing that I can at least go up to 24 in the future, hopefully 32).

I'm sure, either way, 16GB is going to make me happy for a while. I'm kicking out television shows with 8GB at the moment. :eek:

[malch]

O.K., I guess reel2reel just answered my question.
cheers, malch

[Ryan P]

i'm still waiting on them to update this page http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory ... hmmm decisions....

[reel2reel]

O.K., I guess reel2reel just answered my question.
cheers, malch

I'm keeping an eye here, too:

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

[eponym]

I'm keeping an eye here, too:

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

Probably won't see any data from him until Monday. The weekend maybe if he likes to update on Saturdays/Sundays ;)

[reel2reel]

Probably won't see any data from him until Monday. The weekend maybe if he likes to update on Saturdays/Sundays ;)

That's what I'm guessing, too. If he even has his Mac by then. Hopefully he will.

[trankdart]

I'll bet you see exactly the same DRAM performance with two sticks that you do with 4. Either way, you get a two-way interleave. If you have two sticks, then two-way interleave is the best you can do. If you have four, then it divides them into pairs and two-way-interleaves accesses to the pairs. Same difference.

Even though only two memory channels can be used by definition when there are only two sticks, and all three channels are used when there are four, because of dimm pairing you get two "logical channels" with four sticks even though there are three physical channels. So it's certainly not obvious where a performance difference would come from.

[deconstruct60]

So it's certainly not obvious where a performance difference would come from.

From not hitting the disk for more data. Even "only" two way interleaved memory is still 10-100x faster than disk. If the additional 16GB leveraged (no more additional data is held in memory) you wont get any difference because you didn't need any. (more likely will get at least get small bump because at least more of the file system can be cached by the OS with some more memory. )

According to the Intel spec sheets the W3680 can only physicaly address 24GB of data. Unclear if the fourth slot makes any difference after insert three 8GB DIMMs. Either will cause boot problem or machine will just ignore it if 4th filled with anything. Same was true though of the 3500 series and OWC was selling 32GB bundles... not sure if those are effectively 3 plus and extra to use elsewhere bundle.

[Ryan P]

According to the Intel spec sheets the W3680 can only physicaly address 24GB of data. Unclear if the fourth slot makes any difference after insert three 8GB DIMMs.

Well it's still unclear (to me atleast!) that the W3680 can see 3x8GB DIMMS. Be nice if it can...

[trankdart]

From not hitting the disk for more data.

Right, I was talking about memory access performance, not overall system performance. Certainly adding more memory is going to improve that.

What I meant to say was, if you have 8GB in your system, I suspect you're going to see identical performance whether it's four 2GB sticks or two 4GB sticks.

[johnnymg]

deleted.............

[guillemilkyway]

FINALLY!!!!

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory

now seems easier to make up my mind... :D

[harlem]

FINALLY!!!!

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory

now seems easier to make up my mind... :D



so does this mean the 6-core is able to process up to 24GB (8x3) and even 32GB (8x4) ???

cording to the Apple site its only 16GB max.

And is the OWC memory just as reliable/good quality as the memory Apple ships, i have no experience with this what-so-ever

[wonderspark]

so does this mean the 6-core is able to process up to 24GB (8x3) and even 32GB (8x4) ???

cording to the Apple site its only 16GB max.

And is the OWC memory just as reliable/good quality as the memory Apple ships, i have no experience with this what-so-ever

I have OWC RAM in my '09 Mac Pro, 16 GB in 4x4 flavor, and it's been wonderful since I installed it, which was the day I unpacked my Mac from Apple. I never even turned it on with the stock RAM in there. I trust OWC, personally.

[Umbongo]

so does this mean the 6-core is able to process up to 24GB (8x3) and even 32GB (8x4) ???

cording to the Apple site its only 16GB max.

And is the OWC memory just as reliable/good quality as the memory Apple ships, i have no experience with this what-so-ever


Intel do not support RDIMMs on single socket Xeon boards, so the limits presented by board makers and system sellers are listed with this in mind. Which means a limit of 24GB is presented in documentation. RDIMMs do work on some single socket boards (probably all of them), including the Mac Pro. Which means you can use 8GB capacity DIMMs.

[harlem]

Intel do not support RDIMMs on single socket Xeon boards, so the limits presented by board makers and system sellers are listed with this in mind. Which means a limit of 24GB is presented in documentation. RDIMMs do work on some single socket boards (probably all of them), including the Mac Pro. Which means you can use 8GB capacity DIMMs.


ok...:confused: (i'm a total noob at this sorry) could someone please explain it as if i was a 5 y/o kid :D

does this mean that if i put 3x8GB in my 6core mac pro ...will i have acces to 24GB (rendering...etc

[guillemilkyway]

ok...:confused: (i'm a total noob at this sorry) could someone please explain it as if i was a 5 y/o kid :D

does this mean that if i put 3x8GB in my 6core mac pro ...will i have acces to 24GB (rendering...etc

according to OWC, which seems a very reliable source, yes. seems like they have already tested it.

[harlem]

according to OWC, which seems a very reliable source, yes. seems like they have already tested it.

ok, could someone than please explain the following...

why does Apple say the 6-core only supports 16GB? i mean it sounds like a stupid thing to say when in reality it supports 24GB...i know allot of people including myself were seriously hesitant to actually buy the 6-core because of the limited 16GB. I almost went for the 8-core instead, just because of the fact it supports more RAM.

And i know one person who actually preferred the 6-core but chose the 8-core instead because of that same reason...now if he had known the 6-core would be able to handle 24GB i'm sure he would have chosen the 6-core

There must be a reason why Apple is saying it only supports 16GB, even when its bad for business...wright?

[MythicFrost]

It is safe to use only one 8GB module in a single CPU Mac Pro or do I need 3?

[Vylen]

ok, could someone than please explain the following...

why does Apple say the 6-core only supports 16GB? i mean it sounds like a stupid thing to say when in reality it supports 24GB...i know allot of people including myself were seriously hesitant to actually buy the 6-core because of the limited 16GB. I almost went for the 8-core instead, just because of the fact it supports more RAM.

And i know one person who actually preferred the 6-core but chose the 8-core instead because of that same reason...now if he had known the 6-core would be able to handle 24GB i'm sure he would have chosen the 6-core

There must be a reason why Apple is saying it only supports 16GB, even when its bad for business...wright?

It's because they say this:
"Four memory slots supporting up to 16GB of main memory using 1GB, 2GB or 4GB DIMMs"
and it's cause they don't sell 8GB DIMMs.

[harlem]

It's because they say this:
"Four memory slots supporting up to 16GB of main memory using 1GB, 2GB or 4GB DIMMs"
and it's cause they don't sell 8GB DIMMs.

whats the difference between 16GB "main memory" and upgrading to 3x8GB "main memory" or would 3x8GB not be counted as "main memory"...sorry for the stupid questions here but its all a bit technical.

and from a business perspective, if Apple would sell 8GB DIMM's, it would be even better for business wright? more people buying the 6-core witch is more expensive than the 8-core, especially if people would upgrade the RAM, and most probably would since 3GB is a bit....laughable in a Pro machine.

i have the feeling Apple is making all of this a bit more complicated than it should be...just say how much RAM it can handle, point blank, so that customers don't need to try and find out for themselves or wait for other company's/customers to check it out

[Vylen]

whats the difference between 16GB "main memory" and upgrading to 3x8GB "main memory" or would 3x8GB not be counted as "main memory"...sorry for the stupid questions here but its all a bit technical.

and from a business perspective, if Apple would sell 8GB DIMM's, it would be even better for business wright? more people buying the 6-core witch is more expensive than the 8-core, especially if people would upgrade the RAM, and most probably would since 3GB is a bit....laughable in a Pro machine

There's no difference.. it's simply saying that if you use 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB DIMMs, it's possible to upgrade the main memory to up to 16GB

And no, it wouldn't really be better for business as barely anyone would buy 8GB sticks from Apple given the prices they put on their 4GB sticks.

[Umbongo]

ok...:confused: (i'm a total noob at this sorry) could someone please explain it as if i was a 5 y/o kid :D

does this mean that if i put 3x8GB in my 6core mac pro ...will i have acces to 24GB (rendering...etc

While 8GB DIMMs will work in a Mac Pro, they are a different type of memory to that which Apple sells and supports.

[reel2reel]

according to OWC, which seems a very reliable source, yes. seems like they have already tested it.

Diglloyd's got some screenshots from OWC, too:

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

Excited now.

[chrono1081]

Ordered! Now to return my 16 gig kit.

I was really hoping for this since I use up ram like its nothing. Doing a ton of renders today ate up my 8 gigs like it was nothing :'(

[sparkie7]

This is GREAT news. Many people will now order the 3.33 6-core model knowing they won't be bottlenecked by just 16GB RAM.

Does OWC ship outside of the US? -- Update: ok, looks like they do

[Ryan P]

Does OWC ship outside of the US? -- Update: ok, looks like they do

Yes, In fact I normally receive shipments next day from them to my location in the Caribbean.

[sparkie7]

That's fast service :D

[CaoCao]

Ordered! Now to return my 16 gig kit.

I was really hoping for this since I use up ram like its nothing. Doing a ton of renders today ate up my 8 gigs like it was nothing :'(
What eats 8GB RAM :eek:
Yes, In fact I normally receive shipments next day from them to my location in the Caribbean.
wow, your island must have an airport or a facility on that island

[guillemilkyway]

While 8GB DIMMs will work in a Mac Pro, they are a different type of memory to that which Apple sells and supports.

but that doesn't mean 8GB DIMMs will work worst. the reason why apple doesn't sell and support 8GB DIMMs has nothing to do with technical issues, i'm afraid...

[BrenMyster]

APPLE!!!!

why didn't they test the 8gb sticks? this seems crazy to me, surly it would only benefit them to advertise that you can put up to 24gb RAM in to the 3.33?

[MythicFrost]

Buying 16GB RAM is about 50% more expensive than if you buy it from OWC, imagine what they'd change for 32GB.

[Umbongo]

APPLE!!!!

why didn't they test the 8gb sticks? this seems crazy to me, surly it would only benefit them to advertise that you can put up to 24gb RAM in to the 3.33?

They don't care. Advertising it won't sell more systems, the people who need that much can work it out.

They would need a disclaimer saying they won't work along side the other memory they offer and that using 4 will drop memory speed to 1066MHz. That isn't Apple's style. Especially if they aren't going to sell it. The other thing as I mentioned before is that it is not supported on the platform by Intel, Apple don't stray away from Intel's spec, nor do most manufacturers.

[xgman]

Diglloyd's got some screenshots from OWC, too:

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

Excited now.

using 3 modules shows a ~ 15% memory bandwidth gain over 4 modules, so the configurations with a * at right ar the optimal ones. Whether real-world tasks are affected by this small difference remains to be tested, but in past testing I never measured more then 3% hit from using 4 modules instead of 3.

[Giuly]

The Xeons have integrated memory controllers, Apple can't do anything about it. If it exists, it works. The Xeons just need ECC RAM, which couldn't be manufactured in 8GB/Stick.
The reason Apple doesn't offer it, is because they rip you off with their memory prices, and it would get obvious if they charge you $7000 extra for a 64GB BTO option, which would cost $2850 at OWC, while keeping the 6GB which are also worth $200 or so.

Apple BTO is a bad thing, buy stock and upgrade hard drives/SSD/memory(/Sometimes even CPU) yourself.


Btw. using ECC RAM is BS anyways, as long as you are not located anyways near radiation (MRI/X-Ray) or cosmic rays.
NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=541&Description=&Type=&N=100006519+50001692+40000541+600006050&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=521%3A29233&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A40080&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A38973&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A47381&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A29248&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A35212&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A30325) has 8GB ECC sticks for $290 rather then the $370 OWC charges you.

This is not PowerMac anymore, MacPros take every RAM out there due to the memory controller inside the CPU.

[oncilla]

I ordered the Hexacore last week (still waiting for it to ship)...

Was going to get 3 or 4 x 4gb but now leaning towards using 8gb ram for future expandability. Dont really want to drop a grand on memory though.

All this talk of triple channels seems overly confusing.
Can i use just 2x8gb (not really sold that way on OWC) and add a third latter if it seems necessary? Aam I better off getting the 4gb ram for now?

Thanks for your help.

[guillemilkyway]

[QUOTE=Giuly;10882989]
NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=541&Description=&Type=&N=100006519+50001692+40000541+600006050&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=521%3A29233&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A40080&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A38973&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A47381&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A29248&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A35212&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A30325) has 8GB ECC sticks for $290 rather then the $370 OWC charges you.

would be great, buy they don't ship internationally...

[reel2reel]

using 3 modules shows a ~ 15% memory bandwidth gain over 4 modules, so the configurations with a * at right ar the optimal ones. Whether real-world tasks are affected by this small difference remains to be tested, but in past testing I never measured more then 3% hit from using 4 modules instead of 3.

I'd most definitely be happy with 24 GB for a while!

[cparktd]

Odd, the newegg 3 stick 24GB kit is $10 more than just buying 3 x single 8 sticks.

8GBx1 290.10 + 5.99 shipping x 3 = 888.27
24 GB kit = 899.99 ships free

OWC
3x8 kit 1095.99
1 8GB 369.99 x 3 = 1109.97

Anyway, how is the WINTEC brand compared to OWC?

[aquablue]

How does Crucial compare with OWC?

Oh, and why does Crucial not have any x3 8GB kits. They only offer kits of 2x8, and 2x4. Why no 3 stick kits for maximum performance (triple chan)?

Thanks
Aqua

[Giuly]

would be great, buy they don't ship internationally...
Well, the cheapest RAM which should be available worldwide is Kingston ValueRAM DIMM 8GB PC3-10667R reg ECC CL9 (DDR3-1333) (KVR1333D3D4R9S/8G).
Search at your local "Lowest Price"-website for it.
Anyway, how is the WINTEC brand compared to OWC?
It's RAM, it has lifetime warranty, it's fine.
Oh, and why does Crucial not have any x3 8GB kits. They only offer kits of 2x8, and 2x4. Why no 3 stick kits for maximum performance (triple chan)?
Because you don't need dual/triple channel kits anymore, you can even mix DDR3-1333 ECC over different brands as long as they have the same specs these days. A couple of years ago, as you needed the exact same DIMMs for Dual Channel, these kits were more expensive then two same-model bare DIMMs, because they assured to be the exact identical DIMMs. They are just a leftover of those days, today you can just get any DDR3-1333 ECC CL9 and mix them, they still work in triple channel.

If you ever had a PowerMac G4, you'd just get the cheapest RAM with lifetime warranty for you MacPro. Every tried to find low-density PC133 these days?

[skiffx]

Odd, the newegg 3 stick 24GB kit is $10 more than just buying 3 x single 8 sticks.

8GBx1 290.10 + 5.99 shipping x 3 = 888.27
24 GB kit = 899.99 ships free

OWC
3x8 kit 1095.99
1 8GB 369.99 x 3 = 1109.97

Anyway, how is the WINTEC brand compared to OWC?

Im waiting on Transintl pricing. Actually going to call them in a bit to find out, and perhaps change my order for the 50th time lol

[aquablue]

I was hoping for a 24gb kit from crucial. How are Crucial compared to OWC in quality and performance?

[Giuly]

I was hoping for a 24gb kit from crucial. How are Crucial compared to OWC in quality and performance?
Your eyes just don't work right. (http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT3KIT102472BB1339)

As for the comparison: It's RAM, it has lifetime warranty, it's fine.

[aquablue]

Sorry, I was looking under the Apple 6 core section on Crucial's site which doesn't offer 3x8. I didn't realize you could buy any ram on the site if it was not listed under the specific computer model.

So, why is Crucial so much more expensive than OWC, and does that RAM yous showed include the thermal sensor that the Mac Pro requires?

[Umbongo]

Sorry, I was looking under the Apple 6 core section on Crucial's site which doesn't offer 3x8. I didn't realize you could buy any ram on the site if it was not listed under the specific computer model.

So, why is Crucial so much more expensive than OWC, and does that RAM yous showed include the thermal sensor that the Mac Pro requires?

OWC are just selling to Mac Pro users really, they may make very little profit on memory in order to build brand awareness and hope you buy other more profitable things from them. Crucial are the retail brand for Micron which is one of the big 3 memory manufacturers, they are moving in many more markets and their brand is much stronger. I doubt many people know of OWC outside the Mac community.

[ghostchild]

transintl ram up.

[skiffx]

I actually just cancelled my order of 4x4GB of transintl, they've updated the their pages with 8gb modules. Im going to order 3x8gb for $894 which is the cheapest deal so far. This 3.33 Hex will be a damn space shuttle :)
Transintl Link (http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2860&RequestTimeOut=500)

[xgman]

I actually just cancelled my order of 4x4GB of transintl, they've updated the their pages with 8gb modules. Im going to order 3x8gb for $894 which is the cheapest deal so far. This 3.33 Hex will be a damn space shuttle :)
Transintl Link (http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2860&RequestTimeOut=500)


Placed my order there for 3x8. They have great prices, great service and quality ram. (no i don't work for them. ;)

[sboerup]

Anywhere to buy just 1x8GB at Transintl? Can't afford all 24GB at the moment, but I'd like to build up to it.

[barefeats]

Im waiting on Transintl pricing. Actually going to call them in a bit to find out, and perhaps change my order for the 50th time lol

They have the 8GB modules listed now:
http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2646&RequestTimeOut=500

How about 4x8G = 32G for $1192? -- ($583 less than the Apple store charges for 4x4G = 16G)

[aquablue]

Sorry, but as a newbie to the mac pro world, I want to clarify that I'm not getting an inferior product. The price difference surely must mean something, no? How can Apple and Crucial be charging so much vs the others? Isn't there some trade off?

Also, how come Transitnl say that the max. capacity is 16MB?

[xgman]

Shoerup: If you call transintl they will probably single sticks

aquablue: I bought some 4GB sticks from transintl last week and they were identical to what apple uses. Micron/Crucial.
Apple says the max cap. They are just repeating that. They say the 8gb at 24Gb is confirmed to work.

[skiffx]

Anywhere to buy just 1x8GB at Transintl? Can't afford all 24GB at the moment, but I'd like to build up to it.

Yeh call them and speak to this older gent with an accent, cant recall his name, but he runs the company, he is been more than accommodating to my whims of cancelling and switching orders 500 times due to the triple/single channel discussions :rolleyes:

Im sure sale of 1x8gb beats 0 sales.

[skiffx]

Shoerup: If you call transintl they will probably single sticks

aquablue: I bought some 4GB sticks from transintl last week and they were identical to what apple uses. Micron/Crucial.
Apple says the max cap. They are just repeating that. They say the 8gb at 24Gb is confirmed to work.

Shouldnt you update your signature :)

[xgman]

Shouldnt you update your signature :)

I updated it 4 times the other day when we had all that controversy. It was bad luck. I better wait. :D

[xgman]

Yeh call them and speak to this older gent with an accent, cant recall his name, but he runs the company, he is been more than accommodating to my whims of cancelling and switching orders 500 times due to the triple/single channel discussions :rolleyes:

Im sure sale of 1x8gb beats 0 sales.

Mike . . . . .

[xgman]

Seems to be working fine here:
http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

[Rustus Maximus]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but OWC just confirmed that the new Mac Pros can handle a whopping 64GB.

OWC blog (http://blog.macsales.com/6721-owc-confirms-2010-mac-pro-dual-processor-models-can-use-64gb-ram)

[ghostchild]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but OWC just confirmed that the new Mac Pros can handle a whopping 64GB.

OWC blog (http://blog.macsales.com/6721-owc-confirms-2010-mac-pro-dual-processor-models-can-use-64gb-ram)

i thought the whole point of this thread was to talk about that :confused:

[Rustus Maximus]

i thought the whole point of this thread was to talk about that :confused:

Oh, my apologies :) . I presumed the original discussion was talking about the 8GB sticks but I wasn't sure if there had been confirmation that it would recognize and utilize ALL slots filled with the 8's.

[milbournosphere]

So, I'm confused. I am looking at the single processor machines. Should I order the 24GB kit or the 32GB kit from OWC? I see that the single processor machines will see the 32GB, but will it be used, or will it only use the 24GB?

Source:
http://blog.macsales.com/6620-owc-confirms-2010-mac-pro-single-processor-models-can-use-32gb-ram

OWC also lists 32gb under the 'Quad Core' section of their memory upgrades. (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory) Earlier in this thread, somebody read that the board would only allow 24gb. Thoughts?

[sboerup]

So, I'm confused. I am looking at the single processor machines. Should I order the 24GB kit or the 32GB kit from OWC? I see that the single processor machines will see the 32GB, but will it be used, or will it only use the 24GB?

Source:
http://blog.macsales.com/6620-owc-confirms-2010-mac-pro-single-processor-models-can-use-32gb-ram

OWC also lists 32gb under the 'Quad Core' section of their memory upgrades. (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory) Earlier in this thread, somebody read that the board would only allow 24gb. Thoughts?

24GB isnt enough? Dang . . . dunno about you but 12gb is 'probably' enough for me :)

[milbournosphere]

No, I am just thinking for the future. I was happy to see that the mobo supports the 8gb sticks. I would be even happier to see that it will use and address 32gb worth of RAM. I'll probably go with a single 8gb stick to start; this machine is putting a big enough dent in my wallet as it is...

[skiffx]

Well for the single socket system, it would be best to use 3x8gb as they would run in triple channel, while 32GBs would drop to single...so unless you REALLY need 32GBs, 24gb should be plenty for the next 3-5 years :)

[bigbadbenny]

a silly question, but will these 8GB modules work on (non Apple) Intel motherboards?

[jtoh]

The question on whether OWC 8GB RAM comes with temperature sensor is still not being answered.

I would like to know if OWC RAM is installed in my Mac Pro, will it cause the fans to start spinning faster? I read that in the forum regarding someone using non Apple RAM and it causes the Mac Pro's fans to spin faster because it couldn't sense the temperature of the RAM?

Can any one confirms that? Thanks.

[reel2reel]

The question on whether OWC 8GB RAM comes with temperature sensor is still not being answered.

I would like to know if OWC RAM is installed in my Mac Pro, will it cause the fans to start spinning faster? I read that in the forum regarding someone using non Apple RAM and it causes the Mac Pro's fans to spin faster because it couldn't sense the temperature of the RAM?

Can any one confirms that? Thanks.

I'd contact OWC directly:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Service/contact/

Can you let us know if you find anything out?

[jenzjen]

The question on whether OWC 8GB RAM comes with temperature sensor is still not being answered.

I would like to know if OWC RAM is installed in my Mac Pro, will it cause the fans to start spinning faster? I read that in the forum regarding someone using non Apple RAM and it causes the Mac Pro's fans to spin faster because it couldn't sense the temperature of the RAM?

Can any one confirms that? Thanks.

Umm, I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but this is located right on the OWC website on the memory page:

* Size: 8GB (8192MB)
* 240-pin SDRAM DIMM
* 1024M x 72, Dual Rank ECC Memory Module
* Data Rate = 1333MHz
* Module Bandwidth 8.5GB/s
* CAS 9-9-9-24
* Voltage 1.5V
* Apple Specified Thermal Sensor*
* RoHS Certified
* Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty
* Why do I need more RAM?

* About the Apple Specified Thermal Sensor:
Ensuring maximum performance, reliability, and operational feedback – all OWC DDR3 ECC Modules for the Apple Mac Pro ‘Nehalem’ process models feature utilization of Apple qualified components including the inclusion of the Apple qualified Thermal Sensor EEPROM.

[milbournosphere]

The question on whether OWC 8GB RAM comes with temperature sensor is still not being answered.

I would like to know if OWC RAM is installed in my Mac Pro, will it cause the fans to start spinning faster? I read that in the forum regarding someone using non Apple RAM and it causes the Mac Pro's fans to spin faster because it couldn't sense the temperature of the RAM?

Can any one confirms that? Thanks.

I don't think it'd be too much of a problem. Their website says that they use Apple specified thermal sensors "ensuring maximum performance, reliability, and operational feedback – all OWC DDR3 ECC Modules for the Apple Mac Pro ‘Nehalem’ process models feature utilization of Apple qualified components including the inclusion of the Apple qualified Thermal Sensor EEPROM."
Source:Other World Computing (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/85MP3S8M32GK/)

You might want to contact the vendor for more specifics, but it looks like they took steps to avoid such a problem.

[reel2reel]

Umm, I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but this is located right on the OWC website on the memory page:

* Size: 8GB (8192MB)
* 240-pin SDRAM DIMM
* 1024M x 72, Dual Rank ECC Memory Module
* Data Rate = 1333MHz
* Module Bandwidth 8.5GB/s
* CAS 9-9-9-24
* Voltage 1.5V
* Apple Specified Thermal Sensor*
* RoHS Certified
* Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty
* Why do I need more RAM?

* About the Apple Specified Thermal Sensor:
Ensuring maximum performance, reliability, and operational feedback – all OWC DDR3 ECC Modules for the Apple Mac Pro ‘Nehalem’ process models feature utilization of Apple qualified components including the inclusion of the Apple qualified Thermal Sensor EEPROM.

That's what I thought, and then it occurred to me:

If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us

[2contagious]

It is safe to use only one 8GB module in a single CPU Mac Pro or do I need 3?

What's the verdict on this, guys? :rolleyes:

[keewe]

is there any chance of combining 3x4GB with 1x8GB module (if they have the same specs and are from the same company)?

[2contagious]

It is safe to use only one 8GB module in a single CPU Mac Pro or do I need 3?

okay, I have asked diglloyd via eMail he says:

"I've run it with 1/2/3/4 modules (8GB). All combos work fine. Bandwidth with 1 module is poor, about 1/3 that of max."

So only using a single stick of 8GB from OWC worked, but the memory bandwidth was a third of the max. possible that is achieved by having 3x 8GB sticks and one slot empty.

[reel2reel]

okay, I have asked diglloyd via eMail he says:

"I've run it with 1/2/3/4 modules (8GB). All combos work fine. Bandwidth with 1 module is poor, about 1/3 that of max."

So only using a single stick of 8GB from OWC worked, but the memory bandwidth was a third of the max. possible that is achieved by having 3x 8GB sticks and one slot empty.

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Wow 1/3 the bandwidth using the single.

[2contagious]

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Wow 1/3 the bandwidth using the single.

yeah, I guess it makes sense since it's only a third the amount of 3 RAM sticks :D

[reel2reel]

yeah, I guess it makes sense since it's only a third the amount of 3 RAM sticks :D

Isn't bandwidth different than total memory, though? And the email said "1/3 of the Max," which is 4.

To me, that means the 1 chip causes a hit in performance.

[2contagious]

Isn't bandwidth different than total memory, though? And the email said "1/3 of the Max," which is 4.

To me, that means the 1 chip causes a hit in performance.

I am referring to this graph:

http://macperformanceguide.com/images/MacProWestmere2010/graph-memory-bandwidth.gif

Highest memory bandwidth on the 6-core configuration is with 3x 8 GB RAM. According to what 'diglloyd' says about running it with one stick, it seems like it runs with a third of the capacity (of 24GB) and a third of the bandwidth that's possible (21481 MB/s), so about 7000 MB/s I guess.