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Mac Pro 3,1 memory question

D

Dnonkong

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 24, 2014
2
0
Upgrading the memory on my somewhat dated (early 2008) 3,1 model and came across what appears to be a good deal on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005HIWD5U/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1395708798&ref_=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

Is this "server" memory compatible? It seems this second option checks out, but is doubly expensive:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005HIWD82/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1395708899&ref_=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

I am aware of the 667/800mhz difference, but according to this article the difference is somewhat negligible:

http://www.barefeats.com/harper5.html

Any thoughts/expertise appreciated!
 
It's pin-compatible and would probably work, but it doesn't use Apple-specific heat spreaders, and there's no indication on where the DRAM chips were sourced.

There's a lot of decent deals on Mac-specifiic FB-DIMMs all over eBay with lifetime warranties. Just a thought...
 
So how much memory should you buy for your Mac Pro? As much as you can afford. We recommend 8GB for most Mac Pro users (8 x 1GB or 4 x 2GB). We have both of our 8-core Mac Pros configured with 16 GB (8 x 2GB). If we could afford it, we'd run 32GB (8 x 4GB) in both. ~barefeats
Click to expand...

FWIW: and here's a GREAT deal with LIFETIME replacements!: 32GB (8X4GB) DDR2 800MHz ECC FB DIMM MP 3.1

GL with your pick!
Cheers
 
Last edited:
BDM STUDIOS NL said:
So how much memory should you buy for your Mac Pro? As much as you can afford. We recommend 8GB for most Mac Pro users (8 x 1GB or 4 x 2GB). We have both of our 8-core Mac Pros configured with 16 GB (8 x 2GB). If we could afford it, we'd run 32GB (8 x 4GB) in both. ~barefeats

FWIW: and here's a GREAT deal with LIFETIME replacements!: 32GB 800Mhz DDR2 FB-DIMM MP 3.1

GL with your pick!
Cheers
Click to expand...

Very well put response, also a fan of that vendor. I agree that 8GB is probably a minimum, personally my 3,1 uses almost 7GB without ANY file cache with just my normal daily programmes open, not including any VMs or Logic 9, or Photoshop or Premiere. I have 14GB of RAM in my 3,1 and I think that's a good number for me. It takes some work to push the usage that high, but if you can manage 16, that's a great sweet spot unless you know you need more.
-N
 
I just searched e bay for ddr2 fb-dimms and chose the seller with the best reputation. The ram I received had the thin heat spreaders. They worked first time and I have had no kernel panics....had them about 4 months now. I have done other upgrades but always on the cheap. Put another processor in, that cost about $80 and have an nvidia pc video card which also works well. I would have liked a 2009 model or better but my Mac Pro only cost me $400
 
8 out of my 14GB are generic server 667mhz FB-DIMMs, they took a bit of organizing to have them all recognized, but they all seem to work no problem, even without the "special Apple heatsink."
 
NOTNlCE said:
8 out of my 14GB are generic server 667mhz FB-DIMMs, they took a bit of organizing to have them all recognized, but they all seem to work no problem, even without the "special Apple heatsink."
Click to expand...

Just with cruising the internet my FBDIMM temps are 40-50C. I have Transcend RAM with the fat-lady heatsinks. Recently I had a RMA after 6 years with one set, so happy with the lifetime warrenty!
 
hi, i'm looking to upgrade my 3,1 to 64gb. what's the difference between the 4Rx4 vs 2Rx4? Would both works on a 3,1?
 
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