Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

zemaker

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 25, 2011
307
192
Upgraded my single CPU 2009 4,1 Mac Pro that was flashed to 5,1 with W3690. What memory and where to get? I am looking to get around 16Gb of it, or more if I can find it cheap. I am afraid of getting the wrong kind, so better ask :)
 
Upgraded my single CPU 2009 4,1 Mac Pro that was flashed to 5,1 with W3690. What memory and where to get? I am looking to get around 16Gb of it, or more if I can find it cheap. I am afraid of getting the wrong kind, so better ask :)

You want "fastest" memory?

Then 3x 8GB DDR 3 NON ECC 1333MHz CL9 is the fastest you can do. (Total 24GB)

ECC RAM will be tiny bit slower, but I personally prefer ECC more than that tiny bit extra speed.

4x4 will be slower than 3x8, not because of total capacity, but because the CPU is triple channel. The 4th stick will slow down the system in benchmarks (but I don't think anyone can tell the difference in real world.

To make your "whole system" fastest (not just the memory fastest). 3x16 + 8 should be the way to go. The Even though you may only need 16GB, but the system will use the remaining 40GB as cache to speed up to entire system. So, academically, that should be the fastest.

However, if you prefer install RAM in matched size, or only use single brand, size, speed, spec... etc to avoid possible compatibility issue. Then 3x16GB is the "optimum" choice.

Anyway, the above is simply to answer your question. Not my recommendation.

In your case, my recommendation will be 3x8GB 1333MHz CL9 2Rx4 ECC RAM server pulled DIMMs from eBay (or any place / web store that available to you). They are cheap, and rarely have any issue. 3x8GB should be at or below $70, pretty cheap IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: frou
You want "fastest" memory?

Then 3x 8GB DDR 3 NON ECC 1333MHz CL9 is the fastest you can do. (Total 24GB)

ECC RAM will be tiny bit slower, but I personally prefer ECC more than that tiny bit extra speed.

4x4 will be slower than 3x8, not because of total capacity, but because the CPU is triple channel. The 4th stick will slow down the system in benchmarks (but I don't think anyone can tell the difference in real world.

To make your "whole system" fastest (not just the memory fastest). 3x16 + 8 should be the way to go. The Even though you may only need 16GB, but the system will use the remaining 40GB as cache to speed up to entire system. So, academically, that should be the fastest.

However, if you prefer install RAM in matched size, or only use single brand, size, speed, spec... etc to avoid possible compatibility issue. Then 3x16GB is the "optimum" choice.

Anyway, the above is simply to answer your question. Not my recommendation.

In your case, my recommendation will be 3x8GB 1333MHz CL9 2Rx4 ECC RAM server pulled DIMMs from eBay (or any place / web store that available to you). They are cheap, and rarely have any issue. 3x8GB should be at or below $70, pretty cheap IMO.

Which leads me back to my problem, doing an eBay search gives so many varieties that I'm afraid to pull the trigger and get the wrong kind.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_od...3MHz+2Rx4.TRS2&_nkw=8GB+1333MHz+2Rx4&_sacat=0
 
OWC RAM is not always excellent. Do a Search and you'll see why. I will never buy from OWC again

Lou
Yikes, didn't know that. My very first set of 4x4GB had one bad stick, but they sent another matching set, and when it was good, I sent back bad set, and all postage was paid by them. The other two sets were good to go. Sorry to hear that it's not always that good.
 
@wonderspark , I think the main reason is that OWC removes label from the RAM, so you don't know if it is RDIMM or UDIMM, therefore no mix and match with other stick 'cause there is 50/50 chance your Mac won't boot.
But i'm not sure if that is it, since i've never bought from them (import taxes and customs would almost double the price).
 
I'm no apologist for OWC, but I have bought some stuff from them, and it's working alright. Prices are probably not the most affordable ones you can get. There is some great unique stuff though, like the physical adapters for Mac Pro 2,5" SSDs. And those assembly kits for optical bays - just bought one to put some more drives in my second cMP.

They do have kind of EU-stores too, and I have used the one in belgium: https://macupgrade.eu/catalog/
They might be a little bit pricier there, but this way I don't have to worry about taxes and stuff.

As for memory I have bought it used from;
dr.memory
mac-factory
oneby_tech
Not the cheapest ones, but everything has been working as promised 'til today.

edit. please observe my global location in the profile.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: owbp
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.