MP 1,1-5,1 Best RAM for 5,1 Mac Pro?

[kaiminator1]

I'm rocking a cheesegrater (12-core 3,46 Westmere) for music production work, but I'm lacking in the RAM department. Currently at 32 GB, looking to upgrade to 64GB. Is there anything like the 'best' RAM for the 5,1 in terms of speed and general performance? Any specific brand or 'model'?

Any places where I could simply swap my 32GB for a 64GB?

Thanks guys!

 

[bsbeamer]

Read through this thread:

cMP & nMP {MacPro 4,1 & 5,1} Memory Upgrade Compatibility and FAQ

Here is the start to a mega thread of memory upgrades and FAQ Please feel free to post your working configurations along with your brand and model numbers. A single W36xx CPU can support up to 56GB memory (3x16 + 8) A single X56xx CPU can support up to 64GB memory (4x16) A dual X56xx CPU can...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[kaiminator1]

I went through the article - so regular 1333 DIMM like this is fine?

64GB (4X 16GB) DDR3-1333 PC3-10600 Memory RAM for APPLE MAC PRO 5,1 Westmere - Newegg.com

Buy 64GB (4X 16GB) DDR3-1333 PC3-10600 Memory RAM for APPLE MAC PRO 5,1 Westmere with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Newegg shopping upgraded ™

www.newegg.com

Any difference if I get 4 x 16GB or 8 x 8GB?

Would I need ECC?

Sorry for all the newbie questions, I'm more of a user than a hardware geek.

 

[Ghokun]

Your cpus have triple memory channel. It is best to attach three memory sticks for each cpu. Memory slots 3&4 and 7&8 share the same channel.

I would attach 6x16 or 6x8 1333mhz ECC and leave 4th and 8th slots empty.

 

[kaiminator1]

Thanks! So basically 48 or 96GB? 48 doesn't seem like it's worth it, 96 seems a little overkill? Anything in between that makes sense from a hardware persepctive?

I'm looking to upgrade to the 7,1 MP next year so I don't wanna shell out too much but I still use the 5,1 24/7 so I'm looking for short-term remedy. Memory maxes out kinda often with bigger projects now.

 

[Ghokun]

What is the current configuration, 4x8gb or 8x4gb? By equipping all slots you would not lose too much performance. If the memory capacity is your need, add as much as you want, it would work just fine.

 

[kaiminator1]

Current is 8 x 4GB. It's mainly about capacity at the moment. Next bottle neck is CPU which is why I wanna upgrade and sell my first born for those sweet 28 cores.

Last one - ECC or not? (You recommended ECC in your previous post)

 

[Ghokun]

I have a small server at home that has dual L5640 processors with 6x16GB ECC modules. I bought ECC, because my motherboard maxes at 24GB with non ECC, 96 GB with ECC. I am not sure whether there exists a limitation for mac pro. You should search the forum for that.

Btw, my 96gb memory sticks were listed as Mac Pro 5,1 on Amazon.