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Upgrading a Mac Pro 4,1
- Thread starter JohnBu
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If you test the 48GB RAM (3x16GB) and it passes everything, not sure I'd be too overly concerned about the minor speed difference. Try rember or the memtest command in terminal.
Are you positive the RAM supports 1333MHz and not mistakenly advertised?
Are you positive the RAM supports 1333MHz and not mistakenly advertised?
Not sure if there still any reference photos in the forum now, that 2.2mm difference photo was remove from someone's blog long long time ago.
But anyway, with washer, the installation should looks like this. And this will be much more safer than "just count turns" or "apply the same torque"
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-pro-need-advice.1691581/page-9#post-23925370
Anyway, I just re-read the whole post. It seems this discussion is totally irrelevant to the OP's upgrade, because he actually ordered a W3690.
However, the guys who suggested to use the count turn method do own a dual processor 4,1.
I recently purchased a 48GB kit, which is almost same exact kit the OP purchased (I got 1066Mhz instead of 1333MHz), but I went directly through OWC. Mine also does not show all the same data in system report. I thought this was odd that it will not properly pick up on that data but everything seems to be operating perfect so not exactly a big deal in my book. I wonder if it has something to do with their brand/manufacturer?
OWC is a very bad memory seller indeed. Lots of issues. Not just for Mac Pro users, if you check the iMac forum, also lots of issues in their group. In a few cases, after few memory replacements, the buyer actually received a different looking replacement DIMM. When they take the sticker away, they can actually see the Crucial sticker still on the DIMM. That "new" replacement module work beautifully, but if that's from Crucial, why pay more for OWC and require few replacement to get the "right" DIMM?
Other forums report that OWC has recently been turning around some of their buyback program RAM modules to buyers. This is not necessarily a major issue if the RAM works as advertised (and assume would still be guaranteed/replaced if there is ever an issue under the lifetime warranty), but it does seem like the purchasers are the testers and it's on them to ensure exact advertised specs. If thinking I had purchased NEW modules and received them, I would not be a happy customer. For the price markup on their RAM, I find it is not worth it.
I have eight 16GB modules in my 2 x 3.46 5,1 that ID with part number 0x4D33393342324737304248302D594B302020 in System Information > Hardware > Memory. These are 16GB PC3-12800R 1600MHz 1.35V modules with ECC that operate at 1333MHz in MacPro5,1. They are Samsung modules (M393B2G70DB0-YK0) and were Cisco server pulls (Cisco Part Number 15-14595-01). Some other identification stats/specs, if helpful: 16GB DDR3-1600 RDIMM PC3L-12800R Dual Rank x4 Module, CL11, 2Rx4, 240pin. Can frequently find them for under $75/module from reputable sellers, or even less if taking a slightly higher risk on eBay.
I have eight 16GB modules in my 2 x 3.46 5,1 that ID with part number 0x4D33393342324737304248302D594B302020 in System Information > Hardware > Memory. These are 16GB PC3-12800R 1600MHz 1.35V modules with ECC that operate at 1333MHz in MacPro5,1. They are Samsung modules (M393B2G70DB0-YK0) and were Cisco server pulls (Cisco Part Number 15-14595-01). Some other identification stats/specs, if helpful: 16GB DDR3-1600 RDIMM PC3L-12800R Dual Rank x4 Module, CL11, 2Rx4, 240pin. Can frequently find them for under $75/module from reputable sellers, or even less if taking a slightly higher risk on eBay.
I would not have thought that they have a poor rep! (though good to know!) But that's because I personally have had positive experiences with purchasing various basic components, like drives, RAM, a mouse, etc. Either way, when my new RX 580 arrives I am going to take that opportunity during install to look at the sticker on the DIMMS and see if someone did that same sticker thing to mine. I am curious as to why it doesn't display right in system report but again, I am overall happy because my machine is running like a top.
Now IDK how computer part manufacturing goes but I have some background being a process engineer in the manufacturing world and it is fairly common for a single manufacturing facility to make the same exact part which goes to several different customers (companies/distributers/etc). So I wonder if it is possible that the same part is sold to OWC as Crucial.....they just get packaged different. So say they have too much Crucial stock in their warehouse and OWC puts in a big order that they do not have built up in existing inventory. Instead of producing more of OWC's stock to meet their order, they just re-label a portion of Crucial's stock, or as you described, place another label on top. That way the part is now able to be sold to OWC even though it was at first made for Crucial. I am just thinking out loud how something as what you described could actually happen.
I spoke to OWC technical support about the issue and was told it's normal for their RAM not to report a part number (despite my mentioning that my old OWC RAM did). Additionally they confirmed that the SKU was for the 1333 RAM so the part should be correct. Other than that they only suggested SMC reset, PRAM and installing the RAM modules one by one with a shutdown and restart between each module and see if there is any change.
I used Rember and the RAM tested all OK on a 3 loop pass.
It's just very irritating that others have had success but I can't seem to replicate it. And the RAM wasn't cheap. However the trouble is I can't know for sure if I got different RAM it would be any better. And it might well not be 'faulty' .. perhaps upgrading to High Sierra and having that additional firmware flash before I had installed the RAM made a difference?
I used Rember and the RAM tested all OK on a 3 loop pass.
It's just very irritating that others have had success but I can't seem to replicate it. And the RAM wasn't cheap. However the trouble is I can't know for sure if I got different RAM it would be any better. And it might well not be 'faulty' .. perhaps upgrading to High Sierra and having that additional firmware flash before I had installed the RAM made a difference?
May be you really need to perform a "proper" PRAM reset. That terminal command clear all the boot argument, but not sure if really same as a PRAM reset.
I'd return the RAM and get modules from another vendor.
If all published specs are identical and vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C provides those stats, but vendor D doesn't... there is obviously SOMETHING that works "better" with vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C with the Mac Pro machines because they can communicate and integrate like vendor D cannot. Personally would trust vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C over vendor D in that situation.
Maybe there is a specific issue with 3.46 processors related to this and specific RAM vendors or specific RAM features? I have not followed the 1333 MHz vs. 1066 MHz issue closely enough to figure out if there is any correlation.
Do other RAM modules work? Yes, absolutely. But just like there are a few "hoops" to jump through with PC part GPUs, occasional issues with non-Apple issued SSDs (such as APFS and the previous TRIM issues), limited to selecting from a limited group of USB3 cards, etc... maybe this would be another thing to be on the lookout for when looking for optimal compatibility.
If all published specs are identical and vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C provides those stats, but vendor D doesn't... there is obviously SOMETHING that works "better" with vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C with the Mac Pro machines because they can communicate and integrate like vendor D cannot. Personally would trust vendor A, vendor B, and vendor C over vendor D in that situation.
Maybe there is a specific issue with 3.46 processors related to this and specific RAM vendors or specific RAM features? I have not followed the 1333 MHz vs. 1066 MHz issue closely enough to figure out if there is any correlation.
Do other RAM modules work? Yes, absolutely. But just like there are a few "hoops" to jump through with PC part GPUs, occasional issues with non-Apple issued SSDs (such as APFS and the previous TRIM issues), limited to selecting from a limited group of USB3 cards, etc... maybe this would be another thing to be on the lookout for when looking for optimal compatibility.
I have 24 GB of ram (4x4GB and 4x2GB) that I've collected over the years. Some from OWC and some from CL. Only the 2GB chips show Man., Part#, and Serial#. The 4GB are missing at least 1 of those fields (some are missing 2).
Every system test I've run shows all 24 are working correctly.
Odd.
MP 4,1 -> 5,1
2x3.33GHZ X5680
10.13.4
Every system test I've run shows all 24 are working correctly.
Odd.
MP 4,1 -> 5,1
2x3.33GHZ X5680
10.13.4
could be they sent you 4-rank ram which will almost always downclock to the lowest speed supported by that processor.
does the ram have anything saying like "4Rx8" anywhere on it? If it says "2Rx4" then its 2-rank. But 4-rank RAM would definitely act the way you're describing.
tl;dr 4-rank ram is meant for systems with lots and lots (over 128GB) of RAM. in order to maintain stability the system downclocks it (even though it is rated for a higher speed)
also the missing information in ram info is normal. ive seen chips with the same catalog number come back with inconsistent info reported.
does the ram have anything saying like "4Rx8" anywhere on it? If it says "2Rx4" then its 2-rank. But 4-rank RAM would definitely act the way you're describing.
tl;dr 4-rank ram is meant for systems with lots and lots (over 128GB) of RAM. in order to maintain stability the system downclocks it (even though it is rated for a higher speed)
also the missing information in ram info is normal. ive seen chips with the same catalog number come back with inconsistent info reported.
I have a Mac Pro 4,1 2009, and will be upgrade to 5,1 firmware,I have two questions here, hope you give me some advice, thank you very much:
1. Does this kind of ram "24GB (6x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600R 1333MHz 240-Pin ECC REG RDIMM M393B5170EH1-CH9" work for the firmware 5,1 after I install the 12core ?
2. Could I just upgrade the cpu to x5670 and keep my old 1066 ram there?
Thank you so much!
1. Does this kind of ram "24GB (6x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600R 1333MHz 240-Pin ECC REG RDIMM M393B5170EH1-CH9" work for the firmware 5,1 after I install the 12core ?
2. Could I just upgrade the cpu to x5670 and keep my old 1066 ram there?
Thank you so much!
Many thanks for the additional comments and advise. I haven't had time to play with the RAM further - but I will try other keyboard etc. until I can get a successful PRAM reset.
I have installed the Accelsior S with the SSD successfully and used CCC to copy all my data over. I had been concerned about what would happen given the HDD is HFS and the SSD was formatted to APFS but CCC just copied my boot drive over without any issues. I changed Startup Disk in Preferences and it all seems to be working well.
So in conclusion all of the upgrades have gone well with the only remaining issue being the RAM speed. I could have gone a little cheaper on some of my options but I will be keeping this machine for a few more years so no regrets
I have installed the Accelsior S with the SSD successfully and used CCC to copy all my data over. I had been concerned about what would happen given the HDD is HFS and the SSD was formatted to APFS but CCC just copied my boot drive over without any issues. I changed Startup Disk in Preferences and it all seems to be working well.
So in conclusion all of the upgrades have gone well with the only remaining issue being the RAM speed. I could have gone a little cheaper on some of my options but I will be keeping this machine for a few more years so no regrets
I realise this is a bit of a resurrection. However I have just today resolved the RAM speed issue and it is now successfully showing as 1333 DDR3
If you are using a windows keyboard to reset PRAM you have to use the Alt key on the right side of the keyboard not the left. So for me Windows key + Alt (Right-side) + P + R did the trick. So it has to be a proper PRAM reset for the higher spec ram to be recognised.
If you are using a windows keyboard to reset PRAM you have to use the Alt key on the right side of the keyboard not the left. So for me Windows key + Alt (Right-side) + P + R did the trick. So it has to be a proper PRAM reset for the higher spec ram to be recognised.