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Memory Upgrade Help

frocco

frocco

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 27, 2009
498
43
Hello Everyone,

I just purchased the base model Mac Pro with 3gig.

Need help with purchasing and installing more memory.

I read that OWC memory is good.

Do I need to replace the current memory (lose the 3 gig)?

Where do I purchase more memory?

Thanks

Frank
 
frocco said:
Hello Everyone,

I just purchased the base model Mac Pro with 3gig.

Need help with purchasing and installing more memory.

I read that OWC memory is good.

Do I need to replace the current memory (lose the 3 gig)?

Where do I purchase more memory?

Thanks

Frank
Click to expand...

Yes, generally you just replace the 3GB that came with the machine. That's what I did. I keep the memory in a safe place just in case the machine needs to be looked at by Apple....easier to have their memory in the machine if there is a problem....then they can't blame it on the 3rd party memory :D

I just picked up the 2.8 Quad refurb and put in 16GB of RAM (4 - 4GB DIMMS) from OWC here:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory

You can get either the 1066MHz or the 1333MHz memory. The faster won't do anything better in your Mac now, since it will run the memory at 1066MHz, but if you ever decided down the road to upgrade the CPU by yourself to the 6-core, it would then be able to use the faster memory.

Get as much memory as you can afford. Your Mac has 4 slots and can technically take 4 x 8GB DIMMS for a total of 32GB! Depending on what you are using your Mac for, you'll have to decide how much memory.

OWC is great for service and support if you should have any issues.

Good luck with the machine....I'm loving my 2010.....nice upgrade from the 2006. Now I just need to find someone to buy the 2006 from me :p

-Kevin
 
Thank you

Wow! I can go to 12gig for not much more than apples 3gig
 
frocco said:
I see at http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1333-memory

I can get 4gig, 8gig, 12gig, 16gig

I have 3gig now.
I thought memory had to be in sets of 3 because of triple-channel?

I wanted to get the 8gig now.
Would that be a big improvement over 3gig?

I also run Windows 7
Click to expand...

Most sites I've read say that the performance benefit of triple channel is pretty small compared to getting more overall RAM. Other people might see it differently, but I would prefer a larger amount of RAM rather than whatever small gain I might get with triple channel.

You are correct in that if you want triple channel, you need to install in sets of 3. However, you have 4 slots available.

-Kevin
 
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