MP 7,1 MacPro 7.1: mac pro same logic bosrd across all configurations?

[tsialex]

The I/O daughter board in PCI slot 8 varies with configuration? That's a new one one on me. Never heard or found that in my research.

Why is the stock RAM bad? I have populated all 12 slots with the stock 8GB sticks.

I do have the 1TB option, but now wondering why I bought that option. I am not using that SSD at all. My main drive is an 970 Pro mounted on a Highpoint 7103.

The top I/O board, the one on the case, is the one that is different from rack/tower versions.
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[deconstruct60]

The separate I/O logic board for the top / front of the tower / rack are different. ( but same in the system orientation product ( tower / rack )).

The I/O daughter board in PCI slot 8 varies with configuration? That's a new one one on me. Never heard or found that in my research.

How is slot 8 on the top or the front of a Mac Pro? There are two I/O logic boards standard in a Mac Pro 2019. The one not in a slot is is different and is not trivially removed. Since this second logic board also includes the power button, it will be extremely difficult to get to a functioning system without this board. If missing the specific attachment cable then also stuck. The top/front button/ports are in different physical locations on the two cases which makes it more difficult to cover with the exact same boards.

Why is the stock RAM bad? I have populated all 12 slots with the stock 8GB sticks.

It isn't bad in and of itself. It is just different and slower than the other options. Mixing RAM speeds can be juggled. But the 8GB sticks across the configurations that Apple sells aren't the same.

I do have the 1TB option, but now wondering why I bought that option. I am not using that SSD at all. My main drive is an 970 Pro mounted on a Highpoint 7103.

Prudently should keep a "maintenance" macOS instance up to date on the T2 SSD. On a hard reset back to factory settings owners would need a instance there with the nominal factory security settings. It doesn't have to be used much but absolute zero is probably too far. For extremely low usage, yes, 1TB is in the overkill zone.

 

[jasonmvp]

It doesn't have to be used much but absolute zero is probably too far. For extremely low usage, yes, 1TB is in the overkill zone.

At the moment, I'm only using around 75GB of my 1TB stripe. I'm still a fan of the idea of using 2 x 256GB drives to create a 512GB stripe. I'm not sure why Apple didn't offer that up as an option. It's the option I would have chosen. Small speed boost from the stripe over a single 256GB drive, and double the space.

 

[Krevnik]

The RAM used in the lowest basic bar configuration isn't a good match as go to higher core counts. Apple RAM costs are high but if having to completely toss the initial set of RAM (unless can resell them to someone) taking a small hit there when upgrade later.

This is a confusing statement to parse, are you suggesting that Apple is using 2666Mhz memory in the 8-core config? Because Apple is saying the opposite:

All memory included with your Mac Pro is 2933MHz. Mac Pro models with 8 core processors operate memory at 2666MHz.

Mac Pro (2019) memory specifications - Apple Support

Learn about the types of memory (RAM) used in Mac Pro (2019).

support.apple.com

Apple even explicitly states 2933Mhz memory as a “requirement” when upgrading. I assume to avoid a mismatch of RAM speeds with the Apple installed memory.

EDIT: iFixit’s tear down even confirms it (although they error and call it 2666Mhz in the header).

Mac Pro 2019 Teardown

The Mac is back and more Pro than ever, throwing away the cylindrical “trash can” design in favor of something that resembles a computer. Its...

www.ifixit.com

At step 6, if you look at the shot of the RAM, it clearly is marked as 2933Mhz: https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/CdQRVQAPWeHliu1H.huge

 

[flowrider]

How is slot 8 on the top or the front of a Mac Pro? There are two I/O logic boards standard in a Mac Pro 2019. The one not in a slot is is different and is not trivially removed. Since this second logic board also includes the power button, it will be extremely difficult to get to a functioning system without this board. If missing the specific attachment cable then also stuck. The top/front button/ports are in different physical locations on the two cases which makes it more difficult to cover with the exact same boards.

Slot 8 is at the top. I was unaware the second card at the front was also called an I/O board.

It isn't bad in and of itself. It is just different and slower than the other options. Mixing RAM speeds can be juggled. But the 8GB sticks across the configurations that Apple sells aren't the same.

The stock RAM is not slower than any of the Apple or available 3rd party options. The stock 32GB are four 8GB modules rated for 2933MHz. It downclocks to 2666MHz when run with the base 8 core cpu. It runs at full speed on 12 core or above. Six of the 8GB stock modules can be successfully mixed with an identical six modules of another capacity for a Near Balanced configuration. A Near Balanced configuration has been shown to exhibit a 3% speed hit over a Balanced (all 12 slots configured with the same speed and size of RAM) configuration. Something you really wouldn't notice.

Prudently should keep a "maintenance" macOS instance up to date on the T2 SSD. On a hard reset back to factory settings owners would need a instance there with the nominal factory security settings. It doesn't have to be used much but absolute zero is probably too far. For extremely low usage, yes, 1TB is in the overkill zone.

I agree, hence my statement.

I'm still a fan of the idea of using 2 x 256GB drives to create a 512GB stripe. I'm not sure why Apple didn't offer that up as an option. It's the option I would have chosen. Small speed boost from the stripe over a single 256GB drive, and double the space.

Yep, Me Too!

Lou