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Upgrade Questions for a Mid 2010 Mac Pro?

flowrider said:
No need to pay for the Technician's Guide, It's available on the web if you google it. I can't show the link here, because the forum management doesn't like it and will remove the post. I am attaching the section on RAM. IMHO, it really doesn't say much and is silent on rank. And as I said above, this is the first I've heard of it. As far as speed, I recommend 1333MHz above, as does the Tech Guide.

Lou
Click to expand...

Crap. Didn't realize that was a pay link.
 
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I've always been a fan of Crucial, but I'm seriously considering going the DMS route. Here's the specs of each:

Crucial - $225 - Link
24GB (8GB x 3) DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • x8 based • Registered • ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 72

DMS $195 - Link
24GB Kit DMS Certified (3 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) 1024x72 CL9 1.5v 240 Pin ECC DIMMs

A quick analysis...
  • Crucial has a faster clock speed - a moot point since the 12-Core processor upgrade will max out at 1333
  • Crucial requires less voltage/power - 1.35v versus 1.5v
  • DMS has a lower CAS latency - CL9 versus CL11
  • DMS will cost $60 less to achieve 48GB
I like the lower CAS latency, although the real world performance from it is probably nominal.

The higher voltage probably is most likely a non-issue for performance.

I really like the cost savings, since I am on somewhat of a budget.

And I trust everyone's positive feedback about DMS... I'll probably make my order today.
 
My understanding is...

CL11 is for the RAM running at 1600MHz, when it downclock to 1333MHz, it will automatically reduce the Latency to CL9. A PC-12800 RAM should able to perform exactly the same as the PC-10600 RAM when running in 1333MHz. It won't run slower because stay at CL11.

Voltage will not affect performance, but stability. I personally prefer to go for 1.5V which is the cMP's standard for max stability.
 
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Hey, what happened to the guy who discovered the 32GB sticks that worked?

In theory that meant CMP dual CPU could hold 256 GB and single CPU 128GB, but haven't heard from him since.
 
My order from DMS arrived today.

Installed 6 x 8GB for a total of 48GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) Registered ECC Memory.

i-q59pFbD-M.jpg


And did a reboot...
i-qWbhkX8-S.png

Good to go!

i-w3sgL3Q-S.png
 
beansbaxter said:
My order from DMS arrived today.

Installed 6 x 8GB for a total of 48GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) Registered ECC Memory.

i-q59pFbD-M.jpg


And did a reboot...
i-qWbhkX8-S.png

Good to go!

i-w3sgL3Q-S.png
Click to expand...

Are you sure it is Registered ECC? i think it should be NOT registrated. can you send me the link because i want to buy memorey from DMS too.
 
MacVidCards said:
You should at least consider the PCIE drives. They are a MULTIPLE faster then anything connected via SATA. (4-5 X faster)
Click to expand...

Need to point out that a running system doesn't hit the hard drives for reads much - the files are cached in RAM (assuming that you have maxed out RAM - the most important and cost effective upgrade around).

Most people won't see much real world difference between a 3Gbps SATA SSD and the fast/expensive PCIe drives. Even the 3Gbps SATA SSD will be incredibly fast compared to a spinner most of the time.


MacVidCards said:
See the "NGFF PCIE SSD" thread started by handheld games. I have them in all my MPs now, but I boot up a few dozen times a day so was important to me.
Click to expand...

If your workflow is based on "how many times can I reboot per day", then look at the more expensive PCIe offerings. (Thanks, MVC, for emphasizing my point.)
 
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I took the original configuration and added the Apricorn to the 16x slot, installed a 500GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD to the Apricorn, installed 48GB of memory from DMS, and installed the HighPoint 4-port USB 3.0 PCIe card. Here are the full specs:
  • Processors: Dual Intel Quad-Core Xeon 2.4Ghz Westmere (8 cores)
  • Memory: 48GB DMS (6x8GB) DDR3-1333 ECC, Certified, Lifetime Warranty
  • Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB (2 DisplayPort and 1 DVI-D)
  • Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 Extreme Performance SSD Card
  • Primary Drive: 500GB Samsung 850 Evo SSD Flash Drive
  • Secondary Drive: 1TB 7200rpm Hard Drive
  • Optical Drive: 18x SuperDrive
  • HighPoint 4-Port USB 3.0 PCI-Express 2.0 Card
There is not a mark or scratch anywhere on this computer. It truly is in excellent mint condition. Comes complete in the original box, with all the original packaging, discs, and manuals.
 
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beansbaxter said:
Good to know. Bummer I cannot access it though... I meet the membership time requirement, but not the minimum post requirement (sigh)
Click to expand...

Mac Pros sell pretty quick on Craigslist in the Seattle area. That's how I sold my two Mac Pros.

If you need a shipping box for any reason, I still have one original Mac Pro shipping box including packing material. You can have it for free. PM if you need it.
 
ActionableMango said:
Mac Pros sell pretty quick on Craigslist in the Seattle area. That's how I sold my two Mac Pros.

If you need a shipping box for any reason, I still have one original Mac Pro shipping box including packing material. You can have it for free. PM if you need it.
Click to expand...
Good to know.

Thanks for the kind offer. I have the original box and packaging, so I'm good to go there.

What's a good price range to sell this machine for?

I've been looking at Sold/Completed listings on eBay for the last 30 days, and the original configuration goes for around $1100. I've added around $800 in upgrades... cut the cost of the upgrades to less than half, add that to the eBay value, and I come up with around $1300-1400 for the machine. Thoughts?
 
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beansbaxter said:
Good to know.

Thanks for the kind offer. I have the original box and packaging, so I'm good to go there.

What's a good price range to sell this machine for?

I've been looking at Sold/Completed listings on eBay for the last 30 days, and the original configuration goes for around $1100. I've added around $800 in upgrades... cut the cost of the upgrades to less than half, add that to the eBay value, and I come up with around $1300-1400 for the machine. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Your best bet is keep to the eBay completed sale listings and go from there. The cost of your upgrades won't really affect the sale price anymore (as they have mostly all been upgraded, modded or tweaked at this stage). Look for a similar config and aim for a similar price would be my advice.
 
beansbaxter said:
What's a good price range to sell this machine for?

I've been looking at Sold/Completed listings on eBay for the last 30 days, and the original configuration goes for around $1100. I've added around $800 in upgrades... cut the cost of the upgrades to less than half, add that to the eBay value, and I come up with around $1300-1400 for the machine. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I haven't paid any attention to Mac Pro values since I sold mine.

If you have lots of time, start high and lower your price every week until someone bites. If you don't have time, look at comparable systems and undercut their prices.
 
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