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Mixing Apple/OWC ram in 2009 MP's?

E

eyeruh

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 9, 2009
38
0
Sorry if this is a newb question but I'm a long-time PC user about to buy my first Mac. :)

Will there be any performance impact if I mix Apple ram with OWC ram in one of the new Mac Pros? I want 12 gigs total (6x2) and it's about $50 cheaper (with edu discount) to get 4x2 from Apple and 2x2 from OWC rather than 6x1 from Apple that I won't use plus 6x2 from OWC.

FWIW, my primary use for the machine is Lightroom which is pretty reliant on memory-bandwidth so I don't want to do this if it'll be an issue.
 
For optimal performance, it's always best to use matched modules (identical brand and part number).

FYI, OWC does run a trade-in rebate program for sending in unused factory Apple modules. They aren't specific on whether they extend this to new Nehalem models, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to call and ask. ;)
 
Awesome, thanks for your help, I hadn't seen that page. I even emailed their sales staff saying I'd like to buy 2 sticks of 2GB and they told me the option was not available. :rolleyes:
 
Sure thing. I wonder if they just meant that you couldn't get 2x2 as a matched set? Either way, it seems kind of odd.
 
sboerup said:
Remember you want to use DDR3 ram in sets of 3. Not 2, this is probably why they don't sell them as 2x2. 12gb is better than 16gb.
Click to expand...

Right, but the cheapest way to get to 6x2GB (12GB total) is by purchasing the computer with 4x2GB installed by Apple and then adding an additional 2x2GB after-market.
 
The OP should be aware that this Quad-core model only has 4 slots for memory, 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM only and getting 12 GB would mean using 4GB modules, which are still rather expensive. Apple only supports 2GB chips, but OWC has tested and backs up their 4GB chips. The issue of 3 chips versus 4 is more complex (see the MacRumors forums), but to sum it up, while there are some minor speed issues using the 4 chip sets in some applications, the issue seems to be minor in most cases. The cheapest way to go is to buy the 4 chips X 2GB = 8GB set from OWC or another vendor for around 144 smackers.
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upg...1&type=Memory&TI=2155&shoupgrds=Show+Upgrades
Then if that is not enough buy another set when the price of the 4GB chips comes down. My advice for what its worth. YMMV
 
davidlv said:
but OWC has tested and backs up their 4GB chips.
Click to expand...


I don't know how much testing went into these 4GB OWC modules... but I ordered 8 and only 5 were good. I then had another 2 replacement and both were bad. Perhaps they affect non 2.93 Gainestown differently... but on my system it was a no go. If anyone has had OWC 4GB modules work on their 8 core 2.93 I would be very interested to know.
 
You CAN mix ram brands, and it will work fine. You won't see a performance increase by using only one brand.
 
davidlv said:
The OP should be aware that this Quad-core model only has 4 slots for memory,
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'm planning on getting the 8-core 2.26. I'll mainly be using the machine for Lightroom & it'll make good use of the 8 cores.
 
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