Whats Your OWC RAM Temps With New MacPro

[jb60606]

Word of advice: Invest in 2GB or 4GB modules.

I picked up 6x 1GB OWC modules to pair with my 2x 1GB APPLE Modules because I read somewhere that an 8-core Mac would benefit some from an array of 1GB modules (eight cores & eight 1GB modules???).

After installing the last 4GB today, memory temps -- at idle -- jumped about 10-15 degrees. Using HandBrake to rip a DVD brought the temp to the high 150s and low 160s thus far. I don't know what the danger-zone is for RAM, and my fan-speed hasn't increased thus far, but I don't like the big jump.

Attached are three snapshots:

1. 4GB at Idle
2. 4GB while encoding video using Toast
3. 8GB ripping a DVD using HandBrake

Should I get rid of the 1GB modules and invest in 4x 2GB modules, or am I in no danger? I suspect these temps will increase during the summer.

PS: The Apple branded RAM are in bays A1 and A2.

And GOD DAMN did this beast of a machine rip "No Country for Old Men" fast. First time using HB; using default settings, it ripped the movie in less than 25mins. Now, I've never ripped a movie before, but I was expecting a longer wait.

 

[netnothing]

Word of advice: Invest in 2GB or 4GB modules.

I picked up 6x 1GB OWC modules to pair with my 2x 1GB APPLE Modules because I read somewhere that an 8-core Mac would benefit some from an array of 1GB modules (eight cores & eight 1GB modules???).

After installing the last 4GB today, memory temps -- at idle -- jumped about 10-15 degrees. Using HandBrake to rip a DVD brought the temp to the high 150s and low 160s thus far. I don't know what the danger-zone is for RAM, and my fan-speed hasn't increased thus far, but I don't like the big jump.

Attached are three snapshots:

1. 4GB at Idle
2. 4GB while encoding video using Toast
3. 8GB ripping a DVD using HandBrake

Should I get rid of the 1GB modules and invest in 4x 2GB modules, or am I in no danger? I suspect these temps will increase during the summer.

PS: The Apple branded RAM are in bays A1 and A2.

Get smcFanControl and set the min fan speeds to even a little higher and you'll notice your temps go down.

Typically, 2/4GB modules will run hotter than the 1GB modules. However, in your case your adding more heat because you are physically adding more modules. Not sure you'd see a huge difference temp wise moving to 2/4GB modules.

I bumped my CPU fan up just 100rpm (which bumps the exhaust up as well) and I'm seeing nice reduced temps. That's with just 100rpm more! It's till only running at 600rpm. I can take it up to 1000+ without any real noise.

-Kevin

 

[jb60606]

Get smcFanControl and set the min fan speeds to even a little higher and you'll notice your temps go down.

Typically, 2/4GB modules will run hotter than the 1GB modules. However, in your case your adding more heat because you are physically adding more modules. Not sure you'd see a huge difference temp wise moving to 2/4GB modules.

I bumped my CPU fan up just 100rpm (which bumps the exhaust up as well) and I'm seeing nice reduced temps. That's with just 100rpm more! It's till only running at 600rpm. I can take it up to 1000+ without any real noise.

-Kevin

cool - thanks. I just downloaded smcFanControl version 2.1.2, increased CPU/Exhaust setting by 100RPM and the RAM temps appear to be dropping into the 120s.

 

[netnothing]

cool - thanks. I just downloaded smcFanControl version 2.1.2, increased CPU/Exhaust setting by 100RPM and the RAM temps appear to be dropping into the 120s.

Glad to help.

You can setup multiple profiles in smcFanControl to adjust for different settings, like the temps in the summer, etc.

Also, once smcFanControl has set the fan speeds.....you can close the app. Those settings will survive a reboot. They won't survive shutting the machine down. But you don't have to have the app running all the time.

-Kevin

 

[jb60606]

Glad to help.

You can setup multiple profiles in smcFanControl to adjust for different settings, like the temps in the summer, etc.

Also, once smcFanControl has set the fan speeds.....you can close the app. Those settings will survive a reboot. They won't survive shutting the machine down. But you don't have to have the app running all the time.

-Kevin

I'll be adding 3 more hard drives (to create a RAID array) tomorrow, so you couldn't have recommended this app at a better time. Thanks again.

 

[bigbird]

I've got all 8 RAM slots occupied, 4 hard drives, 2 optical drives and with SMC fan control I can hold my RAM at 51C (124F) by having all fans at 1000 rpm. It's still fairly quiet. I haven't used handbrake yet, but for video encoding it is FAST!

 

[GotPro]

Just for comparison... here are my temps with the stock Apple ram in Dimm Slots A1,A2 and Transintl.com Memory in Dimm Slots B1,B2

Note: This is UNDER LOAD during a HandBrake Queue Session that's been going on for 2+ Hours.

 

[jb60606]

Just for comparison... here are my temps with the stock Apple ram in Dimm Slots A1,A2 and Transintl.com Memory in Dimm Slots B1,B2

Note: This is UNDER LOAD during a HandBrake Queue Session that's been going on for 2+ Hours.

Damn. Is your apartment's ambient temp in the 60s or something? Those CPU/Ram temps are ice cold in comparison to mine.

 

[GotPro]

Damn. Is your apartment's ambient temp in the 60s or something? Those CPU/Ram temps are ice cold in comparison to mine.

Not so much... I'm in Dallas... so I'm sure it's colder up there... unless you have your heater on full blast

However... I do have SMC Fan Control installed and set the minimum fan speeds across the board to 900RPM.

This seems to keep things running nice and cool, and is still WELL within a pleasant fan noise range.... there is just a very quiet whisper to the fans.

Of course I could be biased... my last "box"... non-laptop machine was a piece of CRAP DELL P4 2.4Ghz... that sounded like a freakin' Jet Engine.

So... I may be biased

Oh, fwiw... the air conditioning is set to about 74 in my apartment.