MacPro5,1 benchmarks of different memory-configurations

[mikeboss]

Geekbench V 3.2.2 (64-bit) Intel Xeon W3690 RESULTS MEMORY

3x4GB @1333MHz Single-Core Score 2202 Multi-Core Score 2834
4x4GB @1333MHz Single-Core Score 2010 Multi-Core Score 2295
3x8GB @1333MHz Single-Core Score 2465 Multi-Core Score 3240
4x8GB @1333MHz Single-Core Score 2142 Multi-Core Score 2539

full results can be downloaded (HTML files)

 

[todesto]

so it seems three channel is way to go?

 

[mikeboss]

yes, it's well known that 3 DIMMs will result in the best performance (intel X58 has three memory channels). what surprised me was that the difference from worst to best config can be up to 40%

 

[crjackson2134]

Wow, never expected to see that much difference.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

So will 3x16GB score even higher? Is multicore scores higher with large memory sticks too?

 

[mikeboss]

So will 3x16GB score even higher? Is multicore scores higher with large memory sticks too?

I highly doubt that 3x16GB will lead to higher scores. AFAIK all available 16GB DIMMs are registered ones and they are a little bit slower (by design). but then again, I never benchmarked R-DIMMs...

 

[mikeboss]

Wow, never expected to see that much difference.

bear in mind that these are not overall GeekBench scores but only the scores for the memory. but still, I was surprised that different DIMMs/setups can have this much of an impact.

 

[666sheep]

So will 3x16GB score even higher? Is multicore scores higher with large memory sticks too?

I highly doubt that 3x16GB will lead to higher scores. AFAIK all available 16GB DIMMs are registered ones and they are a little bit slower (by design). but then again, I never benchmarked R-DIMMs...

Quick test with single 5690 and 3x 16GB 1333 (10.8.5) gives below:

Memory performance SC 2400 MC 3123

I didn't bother with restarting, just closed all apps except Firefox, iTunes, Textedit and did a purge in Terminal.
Perhaps newer OS and restart would give a better scores, but I'm lazy today

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Quick test with single 5690 and 3x 16GB 1333 (10.8.5) gives below:

Memory performance SC 2400 MC 3123

I didn't bother with restarting, just closed all apps except Firefox, iTunes, Textedit and did a purge in Terminal.
Perhaps newer OS and restart would give a better scores, but I'm lazy today

Well that's the same ball park as 8GB sticks so that's the limit.

 

[666sheep]

I'll try more "lege artis" with Yosemite or El Cap someday, but I don't expect a much of an increase if any.

 

[wdhall]

Thanks so much for this timely info., I am in the process of upgrading a 2nd hand 4.1 (5.1 EFI flash, 5690 Xeon, etc.) and was wondering about the best memory configuration.

It looks like I need to pick up another 8GB DIMM (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/8566D3ECC8GB/) to go with the new pair of the same I just picked up on Ebay for $70 and I'll be set.

It would be nice to go with 48GB but's that's twice the money and I don't think I'll need it.

Interesting however is my Geekbench memory multi-core score with the stock 6GB 1066 RAM is 2971.