Best deal on Mac Pro RAM right now?

[AaronICT]

Who has the best deal on Mac Pro RAM right now? OWC has 4GB for $395.99, it was $375 yesterday... I have $415 right now on my PayPal card set aside for RAM. Help me get the best deal, please!

Where are you guys getting your ram from?

--Aaron

 

[JeffreyM]

Who has the best deal on Mac Pro RAM right now? OWC has 4GB for $395.99, it was $375 yesterday... I have $415 right now on my PayPal card set aside for RAM. Help me get the best deal, please!

Where are you guys getting your ram from?

--Aaron

On Xlr8yourmac there's a link posted for a special @ Trans International. 4GB for $358US. http://www.transintl.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=205

 

[AaronICT]

So, this is where I still get confused, or maybe not confuse just hesitant.

Should I buy 4 x 1GB or 2 x 2GB to add to my factory-installed 2 x 512MB?

Does the 256-bit access you gain when you have memory in all four banks make a noticeable difference?

 

[hayduke]

So, this is where I still get confused, or maybe not confuse just hesitant.

Should I buy 4 x 1GB or 2 x 2GB to add to my factory-installed 2 x 512MB?

Does the 256-bit access you gain when you have memory in all four banks make a noticeable difference?

There are a few recent threads about this. The short answer is that you will not see a performance difference. Depending upon what you do, and what you might do in the future, the only reason to get the 2x2 is if you might want even more RAM in the future. You could, conceivably fill the remaining four slots of 4GB each (woah!). With the 4x1 config, you could fill the remaining two slots with 4GB each (still woah!). If the cost savings of the 4x1 is *worth* it to you then I would go that route.

 

[CanadaRAM]

If you are in the USA, also compare Data Memory Systems has

DM61 666-1 x 4 4GB Kit (4 x 1GB) DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) CL5 1.8v 240 Pin ECC FBDIMM Apple Approved Mac Pro (MA356LL/A) $396.00

DM61 667-1 x 2 4GB Kit (2 x 2GB) DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) CL5 1.8v 240 Pin ECC FBDIMM Apple Approved Mac Pro (MA356LL/A) $430.00

Not cheaper than some others, but excellent RAM and customer service.

If you are contemplating an 8-core machine, make sure the RAM you order is 8-core compatible.

 

[hayduke]

If you are contemplating an 8-core machine, make sure the RAM you order is 8-core compatible.

This is the first mention of this I've heard. What does it mean to be "8-core compatible"?

 

[CanadaRAM]

This is the first mention of this I've heard. What does it mean to be "8-core compatible"?

It means that some of the chipsets used for the first generation of FB-DIMMs (Kingston's KTA-MP667K2/2G for example) are not compatible with the 8-core machines, which have more stringent requirements. Companies have to test their RAM for 8-core MacPro compatibility, and/or replace them with an upgraded model (KTA-MP667AK2/2G in Kingston's case).

Therefore, 8-core owners need to check with the vendor to make sure they are not getting older, incompatible RAM.

 

[mustang_dvs]

http://www.DealRAM.com tracks memory prices by system...

 

[AaronICT]

Well, I must say, 4GB more of RAM has made a world of difference. Huzzah! THIS is the Mac I thought I was buying.

 

[CanadaRAM]

http://www.DealRAM.com tracks memory prices by system...

I WAS going to say that DealRAM may track prices, but not quality or vendor reputation, BUT -- it looks like there has been some thinning of the ranks, and the vendors listed for MacPro 2 x 1 Gb modules (DMS, OWC, WeLoveMacs [MemoryX], and 18004memory are all reputable firms. The only one I don't know is Powerline.

 

[stevenD]

I went with the OWC (4 x 1gb) got it last week, it wasn't the cheapest, but I saw some very favorable reviews...