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Ram Brand? OWC, Crucial or Kingston
- Thread starter Cromas
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I went with OWC. Crucial is still too expensive, and everyone on this forums has recommended OWC.
All of them will work fine as long as you get the modules that are sold specifically for your machine -- in Kingston that will be the KTA-MP667 or KTA-MP800 series. Do not get KVR generic ValueRAM.
Also look at Data Memory Systems MacPro US$118 for 2 Gb 667 MHz, $120 for 2 Gb 800 MHz
Also look at Data Memory Systems MacPro US$118 for 2 Gb 667 MHz, $120 for 2 Gb 800 MHz
OWC..
I just installed a 4gig kit in my 4core MacPro [took 2 minutes to do the upgrade]... .and a 4gig kit in my new 15" MBP [that one took about 20 minutes]
$160 for the MacPro
$95 for the MBP
I just installed a 4gig kit in my 4core MacPro [took 2 minutes to do the upgrade]... .and a 4gig kit in my new 15" MBP [that one took about 20 minutes]
$160 for the MacPro
$95 for the MBP
Nothing wrong with Kingston Valueram
I've called kingston to inquire about the differences and from what they told me, the standard series are tested for use in specific systems. The ValueRAM series has not been tested, but the assembly and quality of parts are exactly the same. They come from the same assembly line. They are cheaper because less time has been spent with compatability testing. Most of the time, as long as the ram meets the timing and voltage requirements, it should be fine
Valueram also has lifetime warranty like the standard series.
I've called kingston to inquire about the differences and from what they told me, the standard series are tested for use in specific systems. The ValueRAM series has not been tested, but the assembly and quality of parts are exactly the same. They come from the same assembly line. They are cheaper because less time has been spent with compatability testing. Most of the time, as long as the ram meets the timing and voltage requirements, it should be fine
Valueram also has lifetime warranty like the standard series.
I'm thinking of buying 4GB of OWC RAM for my new Macbook Pro when it arrives. I was just wondering is there is ahy difference (in quality or reliability) between the $95 OWC brand RAM and the $150 Micron brand RAM.
You do realise you are posting in the Mac Pro forums dont you? Why anybody would put ValueRAM in a Pro is beyond me - the most important reason being they dont have the overspecced heatspreader required if you want to run your machine stable and quiet. Other than that, it would mean putting cheap RAM into a really sweet system - just dont do it!
OP. I think OWC is best, their prices are so good (for this type of RAM) that its hard not to use them!
Its pretty well known around here (1000s of posts) that for RAM that is Apple certified for the MacPro and has a lifetime warrantee, there is currently no difference in performance between brands. Otherwise you are taking a chance.
Barefeats.com has done several RAM tests with different brands and memory card configs, and to get the best performance in a 08 MacPro, you want eight RAM sticks to fill all the RAM slots.
You will not find RAM that has never had a failure, and all certified brands seem to have about the same, very low, failure rate.
You may want to ask how the customer service compares... DMS ships out replacements as soon as you call them, no questions asked, others may do the same. The only probem I've had is with a bad OWC RAM stick, where they asked lots of questions over a couple day period, but that could just have been a fluke. OWC RAM is just as good as the others.
Barefeats.com has done several RAM tests with different brands and memory card configs, and to get the best performance in a 08 MacPro, you want eight RAM sticks to fill all the RAM slots.
You will not find RAM that has never had a failure, and all certified brands seem to have about the same, very low, failure rate.
You may want to ask how the customer service compares... DMS ships out replacements as soon as you call them, no questions asked, others may do the same. The only probem I've had is with a bad OWC RAM stick, where they asked lots of questions over a couple day period, but that could just have been a fluke. OWC RAM is just as good as the others.