Absolute best place to get Mac Pro RAM!

[Latisha]

Ebay.

I got a 512x2 1-gig kit for $215+shipping, there are people who landed even better deals. It's really the only place right now where you can expect a price under $250 for 512x2 kits, as well as great prices on other sizes of Mac Pro RAM.

I'd recommend if you're looking for Mac Pro RAM you check Ebay first. The profiteering that's been going on at Crucial and other suppliers is disgusting (heatsinks cost $100 extra? give me a break), stick it to them by not buying from them at all.

Try searching "fb-dimm" or "mac pro ram" to find some results. I'm glad I didn't go for Crucial.

 

[jaguarx]

eBay has bargains but it's a gamble, you never know the quality, you never know if you can return it, if it's new, if it's stolen. I prefer to pay for peace of mind, it's too easy to get burnt on ebay.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Ebay.

I got a 512x2 1-gig kit for $215+shipping, there are people who landed even better deals. It's really the only place right now where you can expect a price under $250 for 512x2 kits, as well as great prices on other sizes of Mac Pro RAM.

Sorry, I don't agree at all.

First: Guaranteed compatible, lifetime warranty FB-DIMMs from reputable companies that have been around for years (or decades in some cases) is comparable in price:
one example Data Memory Systems: (2x512) $224 free shipping

Second: How would you expect to get a lifetime warranty honoured by an eBay seller that more likely than not will have disappeared within the year?

Third: If you have a problem with the RAM, you are going to spend far more than any cost savings on shipping to get it replaced. A reputable seller has a DOA policy that covers shipping both ways if the RAM is defective.

Fourth: eBay is rife with counterfeit memory products. For example, it has been estimated that over 90% of the SanDisk flash memory on eBay is cheap knockoffs with lookalike labels. You just have no way of knowing what you're getting.

All this post tells us is that you did not do adequate research before buying.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[Kace]

i recently purchased 4x1GB (kensington with std heatsinks) for A$1200 (USD$900).
that was the cheapest i could get (down under) after a few weeks of research.

works perfectly on Mac OS X, but for some reason Vista doesn't recognise the kensington sticks.

if anyone from sydney is interested, pm me.

 

[MRU]

I've bought ram from Omni technologies for a number of my mac's in the past including 2x1gb for my mac pro. They have always been great - fast shipping (3 days from USA to Ireland) and never had any bad ram from them.


I paid $399 + $25 shipping for 2 x 1gb (I thought that was a very good price)

 

[SMM]

I purchased 2 x 512 from MemoryToGO a few weeks back. I paid $220, plus $17 overnight shipping (standard was free, or real cheap). I am waiting for a price drop before buying more (I really need 6-8 total).

 

[CanadaRAM]

i recently purchased 4x1GB (kensington with std heatsinks) for A$1200 (USD$900).
that was the cheapest i could get (down under) after a few weeks of research.
works perfectly on Mac OS X, but for some reason Vista doesn't recognise the kensington sticks.
if anyone from sydney is interested, pm me.

That would be Kingston, not Kensington, correct? Kingston pulled their FB-DIMMs for MacPros off the market to re-engineer the heatsinks on them These are the only Kingstons that are Mac Pro compatible. What is the Kingston model number on yours? I suspect you got non-Apple RAM or some pre-compatibility modules that didn't get recalled, or possibly even knockoffs rather than the real thing.

And you're saying that a beta version of an OS running in a beta version of Bootcamp doesn't work correctly?

 

[Zoowatch]

i have 4GB RAM (8x512MB) direct from Apple Store

in Mac OS X... it is displayed as 4GB RAM
however, when running Windows XP in bootcamp, the amount of RAM installed is significantly less than that.

is this normal?

 

[mjgunn]

That would be Kingston, not Kensington, correct? Kingston pulled their FB-DIMMs for MacPros off the market to re-engineer the heatsinks on them These are the only Kingstons that are Mac Pro compatible. What is the Kingston model number on yours? I suspect you got non-Apple RAM or some pre-compatibility modules that didn't get recalled, or possibly even knockoffs rather than the real thing.
)

I searched newegg for the part number listed on that kingston ram, brought me here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134130

Great price, but they appear to have NO heatsink, has anyon tried these?

 

[MRU]

i have 4GB RAM (8x512MB) direct from Apple Store

in Mac OS X... it is displayed as 4GB RAM
however, when running Windows XP in bootcamp, the amount of RAM installed is significantly less than that.

is this normal?

Yes. I assume it's show 1.98gb or some such, mine does the same and so does others. I think its somthing to do with 32bit windows only supporting a certain amount of ram.

 

[BackInTheSaddle]

I seldom buy computer components on eBay unless I absolutely have to. I was rebuilding a Cube last year and the only place I could get some of the parts was eBay. Fortunately, I was able to identify some reputable sellers and got quality parts at a reasonable price.

I just bought a 4GB upgrade kit from OWC for my Mac Pro. Works great...except that I discovered one of the matched pairs was 512x2, not 1GBx2. I know that OWC will take care of this immediately when I call them. If something like that happened with an eBay seller...I wouldn't hold my breath as to what would happen next.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I would be very wary of buying memory from eBay for a machine upon which I depend on for my livelihood.

 

[Zoowatch]

Yes. I assume it's show 1.98gb or some such, mine does the same and so does others. I think its somthing to do with 32bit windows only supporting a certain amount of ram.

oh thanks for the reply

at least i know that my RAM are working well
hopefully in Vista the RAM support will be higher

 

[CanadaRAM]

I searched newegg for the part number listed on that kingston ram, brought me here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134130

Great price, but they appear to have NO heatsink, has anyon tried these?

No no no! those are not the Kingston KTA-MP667K2/2G. The NewEgg search pulled up the wrong product. Those are KTA-G5533/2G G5 Dualcore RAM, not the MacPro RAM.

Stupid NewEgg. Their search displays the first item starting with KTA- when it doesn't get a direct match. I'll say it again: Go to a reputable dealer who tests and guarantees compatibility with your specific Mac. Buy from clueless PC discounters at your own peril and expense.

 

[Nermal]

Buy from clueless PC discounters at your own peril and expense.

I'm just going to echo this. It's even worse when you get an intermittent problem - I still haven't figured out which of the sticks in my G3 is faulty/incompatible.

 

[Latisha]

All this post tells us is that you did not do adequate research before buying.

Adequate research? I bought official Apple FB-DIMMs recently taken out of a new Mac Pro by an authorized Apple reseller.

You seem to be affiliated with a RAM merchant, glad you could give us your unbiased opinion on the issue.

 

[NorCalLights]

Adequate research? I bought official Apple FB-DIMMs recently taken out of a new Mac Pro by an authorized Apple reseller.

You seem to be affiliated with a RAM merchant, glad you could give us your unbiased opinion on the issue.

Careful. CanadaRAM's reputation around here speaks for itself. Trevor has always provided unbiased and expert advice. You'll notice that the price he quoted in his first post in this thread wasn't from his company. Maybe you should read a few of his (many) posts on the subject before you go making comments about his character.

Are you sure the ram you bought was official Apple RAM and that it was removed and resold by an authorized Apple reseller? If your RAM goes bad, who is going to help you? I think I'd rather pay a bit more for a kit and buy it from a reputable dealer.

Good luck with your RAM. Honestly, I hope it works out for you. If it does, you got a really good deal.

 

[suneohair]

Adequate research? I bought official Apple FB-DIMMs recently taken out of a new Mac Pro by an authorized Apple reseller.

You seem to be affiliated with a RAM merchant, glad you could give us your unbiased opinion on the issue.

CanadaRAM gives me that feeling as well. He hops on just about every RAM thread to inject his opinion.

 

[DXoverDY]

CanadaRAM gives me that feeling as well. He hops on just about every RAM thread to inject his opinion.

I think i'd trust his opinion over yours or the parent poster. In fact, I am likely going to take his advice and buy my ram from Datamem...

Thanks CanadaRAM.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Adequate research? I bought official Apple FB-DIMMs recently taken out of a new Mac Pro by an authorized Apple reseller.

Good of you to tell us this -- now. What was your reason for hiding that fact earlier and making a sweeping generalization to "Buy on eBay in preference to anywhere else?"

That is hardly a typical eBay deal, and I stand by my statement that the risk is too high.

The "inadequate research" referred to the fact you claimed in your post there were no guaranteed compatible RAM available under $250, when I found some at $224 in about 15 seconds at a dealer recommended frequently by MR readers.

You seem to be affiliated with a RAM merchant, glad you could give us your unbiased opinion on the issue.

#1) I have never claimed to be unbiased and I state my affiliation up front (even in my username, fer cripes sakes). Of course the only truly unbiased opinion is from someone who knows nothing about the subject -- and that would be the last person to ask advice of.

#2) Since we only sell in Canada it means we have no possible benefit from recommending a different seller in the USA. Please search my 6,000+ posts here on MR and count the number of times I have directed a MR reader to buy from my company. I'll wait...

Done? OK if you came up with "zero" then you would be correct.

Shall I make sarcastic smiley back at you?

CanadaRAM gives me that feeling as well. He hops on just about every RAM thread to inject his opinion.

Fancy that, after 16 years in the RAM business I thought I knew a little bit and could offer some qualified advice, and here it turns out all along I'm just an attention whore.

You don't want my advice, just put me on your Ignore list. Please.

 

[rstorm]

I may be new to this forum but CanadaRam has been up front. Give him a break.

 

[suneohair]

I also got genuine Apple RAM for my Mac Pro on eBay for $207 not too long ago.


It is the same as the Apple RAM.

 

[thedude110]

CanadaRAM gives me that feeling as well. He hops on just about every RAM thread to inject his opinion.

You realize you're talking about one of the most intelligent, respected, honest and fair members of our community?

 

[roland.g]

You mean other than out of another Mac Pro I suppose?!

Just kidding, I couldn't resist.
OWC and Datamem are the most reliable in my opinion, but maybe not the cheapest.

 

[Latisha]

The "inadequate research" referred to the fact you claimed in your post there were no guaranteed compatible RAM available under $250, when I found some at $224 in about 15 seconds at a dealer recommended frequently by MR readers.

Two 512MB FB-DIMMs with full heatsinks? Where?

 

[Eraserhead]

Adequate research? I bought official Apple FB-DIMMs recently taken out of a new Mac Pro by an authorized Apple reseller.

You seem to be affiliated with a RAM merchant, glad you could give us your unbiased opinion on the issue.

Well after getting burned personally (well Paypal eventually refunded me) by crap eBay RAM I would agree with CanadaRAM totally, his first post is completely right, and no I'm not affiliated with a RAM merchant.

CanadaRAM gives me that feeling as well. He hops on just about every RAM thread to inject his opinion.

That's because (as he works with the stuff) he's knowledgable about memory. I'm pleased you got a deal on eBay, but it's a huge risk, you often can get scammed (even by sellers with 90k+ positive feedback.), and the "lifetime warranty" is totally worthless.