Demo: Upgrading the RAM in the 2019 Mac Pro After Purchase

[MacRumors]

Apple designed the Mac Pro to be modular and upgradeable, and it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD and the RAM.

We purchased a base model Mac Pro with the intention of upgrading the RAM after the fact using hardware from OWC, and in our latest YouTube video, we demo swapping out the RAM, which is a straightforward process, but still needs to be done carefully.

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The base model Mac Pro ships with 32GB 2933MHz RAM, but the machine supports up to 1.5TB and has a total of 12 DIMM slots. For the maximum amount of RAM, you do need the 24 or 28-core processors, as the 8, 12, and 16-core options are limited to 768GB of RAM.

Upgrading RAM can be done with other LR-DIMMs or R-DIMMs, but the different memory types can't be mixed with one another. Apple recommends Mac Pro owners make sure to use the same type of memory when installing additional DIMMs or replacing DIMMs.

Apple also recommends using Apple-approved DIMMs purchased by visiting an Apple retail store or an Apple Authorized Reseller, but Apple RAM is super expensive and most upgraders are likely going to want to go with something that saves some cash.

DIMMs can be installed in configurations of 4, 6, 8, or 12, and Apple has a visual aid on how different setups should work in its support document.

Swapping out or adding RAM to the Mac Pro requires the machine to be off, cool, and unplugged. Pulling off the outer aluminum casing is required, and then from there, the DIMM slots are accessible. Existing DIMMs can be accessed by unlocking the DIMM covers, sliding them open, and then using the DIMM ejectors to push it out of the slot.

Putting in new DIMMs can be done by adding a DIMM to an empty slot, seating it in place, and then making sure the DIMM ejectors click closed.

Apple has a very detailed support document that outlines replacing the RAM, and for Mac Pro owners, we recommend reading it thoroughly and following each of Apple's specific steps. Apple warns that causing damage by replacing components in the wrong way won't be covered under warranty, so it's best to use caution and be thorough when upgrading a part.

Apple has a bunch of support documents and tutorial videos dedicated to the Mac Pro, which we've rounded up. Apple covers everything from installing new RAM to swapping out GPU modules to replacing the power supply and I/O card.

Article Link: Demo: Upgrading the RAM in the 2019 Mac Pro After Purchase

 

[timme]

It’s actually funny how much more their ram costs. Could anyone explain or is this just as ridiculous as I’m thinking?

 

[s66]

x

 

[citysnaps]

It's misleading to state "it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD".

Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!

From apple itself:

Install and replace parts in your Mac Pro (2019) - Apple Support

Learn about the many different parts you can replace and upgrade in your Mac Pro.

support.apple.com

"

SSD

Mac Pro supports up to two solid-state drive (SSD) modules. If you need to remove and replace the SSD modules, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
"

Seems reasonable. Especially since NVMe cards from other vendors (with built-in PCIe controllers) are not compatible with the two factory SSD slots.

Also... One can add their own NVMe SSDs vie PCIe expansion cards.

 

[Bernardl]

Owc components are fairly priced and appealing spec wise. However a replacement SSD for my 2013 mac pro was working fine on 10.13 but generated major instability after moving to 10.14... owc not aware of any issue, no firmware upgrade. They did of course accept to replace it but the time lost was probably 5 times that of the total time saved as a result of better performance...

 

[svendobbelaere]

So you went from the base 32 GB to 512 GB of RAM by swapping out the 4 sticks Apple supplied with 8 other sticks.

Is there any reason not to also install the 32 GB that came with the machine anyway? There's 12 slots. Apple's document at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210405 mentions "Use the same size memory modules across all slots to maximize performance", might be a good idea to benchmark this 512 GB, and '512 GB + 32 Gb' configurations?

I am totally out of the loop in that I've never bought a Mac Pro ever since Apple went Intel, the last PowerMac I had was a G4 (I'm carbon dating myself here ), my G3 and G4 powermacs never cared about different size DIMMS, I'd happily run 64 MB (not GB...) and 128 MB and 256 MB together...

It's not a big deal, I was just curious

 

[Velin]

Only a matter of time before that OWC RAM fails.

 

[martinX]

the 8, 12, and 16-core options are limited to 768GB of RAM.

We truly live in wondrous times.

 

[Elijen]

If you buy Mac Pro do you really need a guide on how to put in extra RAM?

 

[Duane Martin]

It's misleading to state "it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD".

Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!

Yes, the SSDs that ship with the Mac Pro are tied to the T2 chip and you do need Apple to replace those but they are still upgradeable. Those are not mutually exclusive statements. As well, you can add additional storage to the Mac Pro and I suspect we are only getting a hint of the possibilities so far.

Watching the RAM replacement makes me long for the days I could do that in all of my Macs (and everyone else's Macs as many people came to me for help; I used to work at a Mac Certified Reseller). Ah yes, those heady days of failed chips, troubleshooting, broken connectors and locks, damaged shielding, the "honestly it came that way I didn't break it". You honestly haven't lived until you have experienced the "death by a 1000 cuts" as you tried to replace RAM in the 8500/9500 series; I know some of you will remember. Still, despite the pains that were sometimes incurred there was huge value in buying what I could afford now and upgrading when I could afford more later. Bring on more videos like this, MR, so I can live vicariously.

 

[casperes1996]

They should make one without a CPU, without memory, without a GPU. Then you'd buy those parts from Intel, AMD and SKHynix/Crucial/Whatever yourself and bam, 12 core with Vega for the price of 8 core with Polaris. Of course since that'd cut Apple's margins it's just a ludicrous idea,, but hey. Would be a cool offering.

 

[citysnaps]

If you buy Mac Pro do you really need a guide on how to put in extra RAM?

Only if you want to install DIMMs in the correct configuration.

 

[slide_to_unlock]

Next video: How to turn on and login into Mac pro for "professionals".

 

[W.O.P.R.]

Only a matter of time before that OWC RAM fails.

Only a matter of time until the sun goes dark.

 

[casperes1996]

Is there any reason not to also install the 32 GB that came with the machine anyway? There's 12 slots. Apple's document at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210405 mentions "Use the same size memory modules across all slots to maximize performance", might be a good idea to benchmark this 512 GB, and '512 GB + 32 Gb' configurations?

I am totally out of the loop in that I've never bought a Mac Pro ever since Apple went Intel, the last PowerMac I had was a G4 (I'm carbon dating myself here ), my G3 and G4 powermacs never cared about different size DIMMS, I'd happily run 64 MB (not GB...) and 128 MB and 256 MB together...

The following is not based on knowledge of the specific architecture of the Mac Pro, but general computer knowledge. Disclaimer over.

These CPUs support hex-channel memory. This means that the CPU will have six channels of communication to the memory. This can only be achieved if 6 or 12 slots are populated, so the CPU has either 1 or 2 DIMMs per communication channel. If 4 or 8 are populated it'll run in quad-channel mode.

Let's pretend we populate 8 slots with 64GB sticks, and 4 with 8GB sticks. If we put 1GB of data in each DIMM and try and access all that data, all at once, this will actually be faster than if we had only the 8 64GB DIMMs, since we can access the 1GB of data on 6 DIMMs simultaneously, versus putting the same amount of data on only 4 communication lines.
However, if we load up all the memory modules to the brim, the larger memory modules will obviously be used much more than the smaller modules when accessing all the data, since they just hold a larger percentage of it. This means the communication lines will be used unevenly and it won't scale the speed of communication as well. It in most any situation won't be slower than the case with only the 8, should in fact be faster, but not as fast as fully spreading the load across all 6 channels with evenly sized modules.

The very worst case would be having a single huge module and 5 tiny ones. Since almost all data would be stored just on the huge one, and not so much on the five smaller ones, communication from the CPU would almost effectively become single channel. - The point is more that if you want 256GB of memory, it is better performance wise to get it in 6 or 12 evenly sized modules, than it is to get a few huge ones and load the remaining with small ones, so they all can give and receive data simultaneously
[automerge]1576710528[/automerge]

Only if you want to install DIMMs in the correct configuration.

On the back of the memory cover the diagram of configurations is shown

 

[skippermonkey]

So what's the RAM that comes as standard – R or LR – if you're not supposed to mix them?

EDIT: Ah...

Configured from Apple, Mac Pro models include the following DIMM types:

• R-DIMMs for configurations up to 192GB (6x32GB).
• LR-DIMMs for configurations of 384GB (6x64GB) or more.

 

[ateslik]

that time you bought a ferrari and put spinners on it.

 

[jayducharme]

Just a note about that OWC Elite Pro Dock you mentioned. I got one for my Mac Mini, and it works fine except for one thing: the small fan inside is surprisingly loud. Or I should say, the airflow is loud. Since I do audio production, I have to shut down the external drive before recording (and I even have the drive inside a large cabinet with the door closed). I wrote to OWC about it, so we'll see what they say. I've never had an external drive make that much continual noise.

 

[JosephAW]

Owc components are fairly priced and appealing spec wise. However a replacement SSD for my 2013 mac pro was working fine on 10.13 but generated major instability after moving to 10.14... owc not aware of any issue, no firmware upgrade. They did of course accept to replace it but the time lost was probably 5 times that of the total time saved as a result of better performance...

Reminds me of when I wanted to run El Capitan on my Mac Pro 1,1 the Apple installed 512 mb ram was not compatible and I had to purchase 2gb ram modules to keep it from crashing.

Hopefully this isn't like my last G5 I purchased and was discontinued shortly thereafter for a new chip architecture. In this case the last intel tower before ARM rollout.

 

[mi7chy]

So what's the RAM that comes as standard – R or LR – if you're not supposed to mix them?

EDIT: Ah...

Configured from Apple, Mac Pro models include the following DIMM types:

• R-DIMMs for configurations up to 192GB (6x32GB).
• LR-DIMMs for configurations of 384GB (6x64GB) or more.

According to the part # HMA81GR7CJR8N-WM in the video it's RDIMM.

Hynix RDIMM
https://www.skhynix.com/products.do?lang=eng&ct1=36&ct2=42&ct3=&rk=30&sk=RD#tg02

Hynix LRDIMM
https://www.skhynix.com/products.do?lang=eng&ct1=36&ct2=42&ct3=&rk=30&sk=LD#tg02

 

[supremedesigner]

Check out my Mac Pro specs 😜

 

[mytdave]

1. Apple historically rapes everyone on RAM prices. Theirs is not special. They use the same chips as everyone else - SKHynix, Elpida, Micron, etc.
2. Apple SSDs are upgradeable, but tied to that obnoxious T2 chip. However, you can install insane amounts of SSD storage via PCIe slots, and even spinning hard drives with a mounting kit attaching to the internal SATA ports, or externally via Thunderbolt.
3. The Mac Pro supports 6-channel RAM. This is a function of Intel's Xeon CPUs. That's why when we buy RAM for our workstations (which happen to be Dell because Apple wasn't making any previously) we do things like buy 6 sticks of 32GB instead of 4 sticks of 64GB. The amount is close, and the performance is better. This is not really a mystery, just Google it to learn more.

 

[jerryk]

They should make one without a CPU, without memory, without a GPU. Then you'd buy those parts from Intel, AMD and SKHynix/Crucial/Whatever yourself and bam, 12 core with Vega for the price of 8 core with Polaris. Of course since that'd cut Apple's margins it's just a ludicrous idea,, but hey. Would be a cool offering.

So essentially a hackintosh. You can do that today.

Just don't ask Apple to warranty your work. Or support you with new drivers and upgrades.

 

[casperes1996]

Just don't ask Apple to warranty your work. Or support you with new drivers and upgrades.

I wasn't really being serious in thinking it'd happen, but all those parts can be replaced on the actual Mac Pro no issue, and stay officially supported, though damages due to improper installation is on you.
Though not a Hackintosh, no, because it'd still be official Apple logic board

 

[RogerWilco]

Everyone lauds the new Mac Pro case design, but it seems the old (pre trash can) design made the internals and RAM accessible without tools or disassembly.