comparing FB-DIMMs

[zoran]

Please note: Apple created a more robust thermal specification for the Mac Pro FB-DIMM heat sinks that provide more efficient cooling than many other FB-DIMMs. These FB-DIMMs require less airflow to stay cool and allow the internal fans to spin at slower speeds, improving system acoustics. FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers that do not include a sufficient heat sink may cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.

Is this true regarding the FB-DIMMs Apple creates compared to other manufacturers? Has anyone tested the two?

 

[robbieduncan]

Basically yes. When the machine first came out some FB-DIMMs were shown to not work or reduce performance under load conditions.

Anything certified to work is fine though. Crucial and others have released FB-DIMMs with the required heat sinks which work fine.

 

[zoran]

Can someone name the certified brands? Are they mutch cheeper than Apples FB-DIMMS?

 

[robbieduncan]

Depends where you live as to what is available. In the UK the only ones I am aware of are from Crucial. And yes, they are much cheaper than Apple, but they are still much more expensive than "normal" RAM.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Don't compare FB-DIMMs, compare sellers.

Look for a reputable seller, who knows Macs and offers guaranteed compatibility with the MacPro, a lifetime warranty and a no cost return if they don't work.

In the USA, MR readers most often recommend Crucial, OWC and Data Memory Systems.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[synth3tik]

canadaRAM is correct. A good reseller will not sell any RAM that they think will not work right.


A few months ago when I first added RAM to my Mac Pro I went to the Apple Store. At that time any RAM that was garrentied to complie with Apple spec was as expencive for more then Apple. A few weeks ago I realized that I coould use some more RAM. Now rules to quilify RAM to Apple spec's was revised. Making it easier for a company to make RAM that will work well in the Mac Pro. The first Apple specification was not very specific.



I went to OWC and bought 2GB of RAM. I got the exact RAM modules used by Apple and heat sinks that complied with Apple.(and they looked quite similar) I decided to go for this when I noticed



A) Lifetime warrenty on the RAM

B) 14 day return if your not happy with the RAM

So I was able to plug the RAM in and monitor the temp of the RAM bay and know that if I did not like the heat increase I could send the RAM back for a full refund.


I only had a 10 degree increase on temp that I can atest to just having 2 more sticks in the computer.....


EDIT: btw I only spent $370 on the RAM....

 

[TheFuzz]

i got 4 of these and they have been working great. they run a little warmer than the 4x512mb apple sticks i got with the computer but no problems.

 

[zoran]

So I was able to plug the RAM in and monitor the temp of the RAM bay and know that if I did not like the heat increase I could send the RAM back for a full refund.

How could you monitor the temp of the RAM bay? And whats the highest level it must not reach?

 

[synth3tik]

How could you monitor the temp of the RAM bay? And whats the highest level it must not reach?

via the coolest widget in the world.

iStat Pro
http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatpro.html

And as for the highest temp for the RAM to run at I myself do not know. I have been just basing it off how fast my fans are running