It does, I was just wondering if there is any right or wrong way to install it.
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Installing Ram in Early 2008 Mac Pro
- Thread starter TMR812
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It does, I was just wondering if there is any right or wrong way to install it.
Has anyone who has just recently spent several thousand dollars on buying an new Mac Pro (2008 model) thought about calling Apple and asking them about specific ram placement? Even if you didn't buy AppleCare you should have 90 day free to call support and get an answer. It's not like Apple is going to get on your case for installing memory in your new Mac Pro. All this guessing makes no sense.
I didn't guess, I installed exactly as the manual states. http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Mac_Pro_Early_2008.pdf
Is that diagram from the old machine or the new MacPro?
It makes no sense because the diagram "breaks" even when compared to the way the memory is installed by Apple themselves when you get the default 2GB.
When we talk about adding 2x2gb to the original 2x1gb, we have confusion on where to place the 2gb sticks vs. the 1gb sticks... I say 2x2gb in slots 1 and 2 of riser A, and 2x1gb in slots 1 and 2 of riser B. I'm installed this way now, and it clearly works, but others are installed the opposite, and there's clearly work as well. Is one way better than the other? I simply don't know, and that's why I was asking.
Now, riddle me this...
How about if I bought 4x2gb of new ram, and wanted to add it to my 2x1gb for a total of 10gb. Now how would I install the ram? For what it's worth, I would install 2x2gb in slots 1 and 2 of riser A and B, and 2x1gb in slots 3 and 4 of riser A.
Anyone disagree/Agree? Why?
Now, riddle me this...
How about if I bought 4x2gb of new ram, and wanted to add it to my 2x1gb for a total of 10gb. Now how would I install the ram? For what it's worth, I would install 2x2gb in slots 1 and 2 of riser A and B, and 2x1gb in slots 3 and 4 of riser A.
Anyone disagree/Agree? Why?
How significant is it that Apple's CTO options for memory are in sets of 4 or 8 (other than the pair that comes as standard)? If it wasn't for Apple's crazy prices, I'd be very tempted to get 4x2GB. I bet they could make more money by making their prices realistic. It would be so much better just to have a set of matching memory (without having 1GB sticks surplus after swapping them) that I'm sure most people would be willing to pay a 'bit' more. Just not 2-3 times the price they sell for elsewhere.
Still concered by this, was going to buy 2x2gb and add them to the 2x1gb.
My other options would be to not use the 2x1gb at all and just have the 2x2gb.
or buy 2x1gb to the 2x1gb installed.
or buy 4x2gb and not use the 1gb's but i think 8gb might be over kill, but not sure 4gb will be enough????
Help?
It used to be stated that (on the old MP) slots 1&2 on riser A were the fastest overall, then slots 1&2 on riser B, then 3&4 on A, then B. It was also stated that the largest DIMMs should go first in the order of assigning memory. So how you have it would be correct if applying this information.
It's very significant. Apple makes a huge profit with the markup on RAM, so anything that persuades you to buy more or casts doubt on third-party memory works in their favor.
But you're right: why would anybody in their right mind buy 4x2GB from Apple at $1500 when it can be had for $400, plus you get a 2Gb "bonus"? Even the greenest luddite would be convinced to try installing their own if it saved them over a thousand dollars.
Still concered by this, was going to buy 2x2gb and add them to the 2x1gb.
My other options would be to not use the 2x1gb at all and just have the 2x2gb.
or buy 2x1gb to the 2x1gb installed.
or buy 4x2gb and not use the 1gb's but i think 8gb might be over kill, but not sure 4gb will be enough????
Help?
Can anyone advise me on the above and what would be best to do as I would like to order.
Thanks
For what it's worth, I'll give you my take on this... I have 2x2gb installed with the 2x1gb that came with the system for a total of 6gb. The system is working great, and I have no complaints. The machine certainly isn't any slower, that's for sure. Yes, there are more optimal configurations, but will you really notice the difference? Well, depends on what you do with the machine. In all likelihood, you won't. For me, 4gb isn't enough, but 6gb is, and I'm not going drop another few hundred to gain a nanosecond here and there.
However, if you have a bucket of money, and don't mind spending it, then go for it. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the optimal config is 4 or 8 chips that are all the same size. So, if you want only 4gb, then you'll have to go with 4x1gb. If you want to buy 2gb chips, then you'll need to go with 8gb (4x2gb). It's really only $200 more from OWC. I can tell you that some day, I will add another 4gb (2x2gb), and I will break all the rules, and put them in with my 2x1gb that came with the system for a total of 10gb. For me, I'll take the extra 2gb, and learn to live with a performance hit that I doubt anyone would ever really notice outside the testing lab.
Good luck with it, and enjoy that new machine.
TMR
According to the barefeats article (posted earlier), If you have 2 modules on the top riser and 2 on the bottom and you want to re-install the 2 stock 2gb modules, they should be installed on the same riser ( matched pairs). If they are installed on separate risers they might not work at ideal speed.
sorry for resurrecting this thread, but I've read conflicting info on installing ram in the mac pros.
i have a 2008 mac pro. currently it has 8 gb of ram (2X4gb). I'm going to upgrade it to 24gb. (4X4gb, 4X2gb). what's the best configuration?
my initial thought is Riser A: 4,4,2,2, / Riser B: 4,4,2,2
or would it be best to keep the same ram on each riser?..so :
Riser A: 4,4,4,4, / Riser B: 2,2,2,2
?
any input would be appreciated.
i have a 2008 mac pro. currently it has 8 gb of ram (2X4gb). I'm going to upgrade it to 24gb. (4X4gb, 4X2gb). what's the best configuration?
my initial thought is Riser A: 4,4,2,2, / Riser B: 4,4,2,2
or would it be best to keep the same ram on each riser?..so :
Riser A: 4,4,4,4, / Riser B: 2,2,2,2
?
any input would be appreciated.
Go the A route. I sold my 2008 Mac pro with 24gb with that setup. Always keep the smaller ones to the outside.
so i ended up getting only 8gb more of ram (4 X 2gb). So what's the best way to put this in my 2008 mac pro?
Right now i have :
Riser A - 2,2,4,4
Riser B - 2,2
I thought i placed the 4's in the 1 & 2 slot, but the system profile says they're in the 3,4 slots. So far there's no problem with the mac pro, so I think it's working fine, but if it'll make a difference i'll switch them out to the 1,2 slots.
Right now i have :
Riser A - 2,2,4,4
Riser B - 2,2
I thought i placed the 4's in the 1 & 2 slot, but the system profile says they're in the 3,4 slots. So far there's no problem with the mac pro, so I think it's working fine, but if it'll make a difference i'll switch them out to the 1,2 slots.
Curious.... if they're suppose to be in pairs, why does it come with one stick on each riser?
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On the 5400 chipset's this option was implemented to achieve the lowest latency when using 2 DIMMs. So this is optimal placement. Doesn't work on 2006 and 2007 models as they used 5100 chipsets.