I have heard that you cannot use both Apple RAM and OWC RAM at the same time in the same computer. So if I were to have two 4GB Apple sticks and two 4GB OWC sticks installed in a Mac Pro, what would happen? I am mainly asking because their 4GB sticks are much cheaper than Crucials. Thanks!
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OWC RAM Question
- Thread starter strausd
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OWC is the only retailer I've ever seen that from. I noticed it when buying from them last week. Never visited their site before so I've no idea how long they've been saying that.
Crucial ram prices are now absurd - toss or sell the Apple ram and load up with OWC - way more ram for the $$
I just loaded four 4GB OWC modules and have the Apple modules stored in the closet.
I just loaded four 4GB OWC modules and have the Apple modules stored in the closet.
I've seen this before at OWC. I'm not sure why either. If the memory works in the Mac Pro, i.e. it is ECC and the correct speed and frequency then they should all work together even if the latencies are different. Maybe OWC is trying to limit its support costs by eliminating any possibility of mixing different and incompatible RAM modules as being a problem.
ValSalva - that could be - but with only 4 slots in my new Quad I had to simply dump the pathetic 1 GB modules and load up.
In the UK it would be illegal to make a claim like that if it weren't true and I'd be surprised if there wasn't an equivalent law in the US(?). It would be totally unethical anyway.
I'll assume the claim correct because they'd have to be massively stupid if it wasn't.
I have 8GB of OWC and the original 2GB of Apple ram in my 2008 Mac Pro and it works perfectly fine.
they don't make that claim for the RAM for the 2008 model though
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/64FB4MPK08GB/
So if it comes straight from OWC, why not ask OWC for clarification?
Transintl, makes the same recommendation.
http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=2766
EDIT: Well, I tried to ask but there is no tech support today which is who would answer this question.
The sales rep just reiterated that they have to be matched.
No problems here, had 4GB of Apple ram preinstalled and added 8GB of OWC ram later. No problems at all 
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Running a MacPro 3.1 with 8cores running at 3.00.
.Running a MacPro 3.1 with 8cores running at 3.00.
This assumes the same limitation will be there. Without knowing exactly why, we can't say whether the next Mac Pro will be the same in that regard.
I have read this a few times and don't know what you are saying.
If there are no limitations on matching sets for sticks 4GB+ you could leave the Apple RAM in and use the OWC RAM.
The original question was inquiry about mixing RAM, not whether or not you should buy from Apple or OWC.