Mac Pro users — 4 or 6 GB RAM?

[peeder]

Originally Posted by C Heat

Good question.

My current config is:

DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 512MB

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

Can't I just put 2x2GB into 2 of the 4 empty slots?

Wrong way. Even the little manual that comes with the Mac tells you not to do this.

It should be


DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 Empty

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

And being absolutely optimal, the best thing to do is leave slots 3-4 on both risers empty, and just upgrade what is in slots 1-2 on both risers, with 4x1GB or 4x2GB. I have 8GB via 4x2GB.

(I was just making clear for all )

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by peeder

Wrong way. Even the little manual that comes with the Mac tells you not to do this.

It should be


DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 Empty

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

And being absolutely optimal, the best thing to do is leave slots 3-4 on both risers empty, and just upgrade what is in slots 1-2 on both risers, with 4x1GB or 4x2GB. I have 8GB via 4x2GB.

Yeh thanks peeder. I realised this after all this research.

My Mac actually came shipped in that configuration I didn't know better until now

[Ashermusic]

Originally Posted by peeder

Wrong way. Even the little manual that comes with the Mac tells you not to do this.

It should be


DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 Empty

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 512MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

And being absolutely optimal, the best thing to do is leave slots 3-4 on both risers empty, and just upgrade what is in slots 1-2 on both risers, with 4x1GB or 4x2GB. I have 8GB via 4x2GB.

(I was just making clear for all )

Mine came like this:
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 2GB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 2GB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 512MB

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

So Peeder, if I understand you correctly, I should move:
a 2 GB from Riser A, Slot 2 to Riser B, slot 2
a 512 MB from Riser A, slot 3 to Riser A, slot 2
a 512 MB from Riser A, slot 4 to Riser B, slot 2

[peeder]

Originally Posted by Ashermusic

Mine came like this:
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1 2GB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2 2GB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 3 512MB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 4 512MB

DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 3 Empty
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 4 Empty

So Peeder, if I understand you correctly, I should move:
a 2 GB from Riser A, Slot 2 to Riser B, slot 2
a 512 MB from Riser A, slot 3 to Riser A, slot 2
a 512 MB from Riser A, slot 4 to Riser B, slot 2

No you should go to macsales.com, buy 2x2GB kit (currently $150), trade in your 2x512 ($35 back), and put the new 2GB sticks in B/1 and B/2.

I really don't know what you should do with your current 4 unmatched sticks. What you have might be as good as any other arrangement, though i think the manual does suggest putting those in B/1 and B/2 instead of A/3 and A/4.

[C Heat]

I swapped my sticks around to the right config—but then I had my Mac crash twice (kernel panics).

Might have something to do with the dust that was in the B riser... ???

Swapped back to the old (incorrect) config (all DIMMS on A riser) and everything is sweet again.

Golden rule: if it aint broke, don't fix it...

[C Heat]

OK. So I know y'all sitting on the edge of ya seat waiting for an update to my last post—

I got into my Mac Pro again this morning—it was buggin me that I had crashes when swapping the sticks around to the 'correct' config.

I blew out all the dust and re-seated the sticks, and so far so good!!!

No crashes or kernel panics etc.

I figured as much (that it was the dust) and was just going to leave the 'incorrect' config—because at least it didn't cause crashes!!! but (for once) I didn't let sleeping dogs lay, and tried the 'correct' config and all is good

Happy now?

[Ashermusic]

Originally Posted by C Heat

OK. So I know y'all sitting on the edge of ya seat waiting for an update to my last post—

I got into my Mac Pro again this morning—it was buggin me that I had crashes when swapping the sticks around to the 'correct' config.

I blew out all the dust and re-seated the sticks, and so far so good!!!

No crashes or kernel panics etc.

I figured as much (that it was the dust) and was just going to leave the 'incorrect' config—because at least it didn't cause crashes!!! but (for once) I didn't let sleeping dogs lay, and tried the 'correct' config and all is good

Happy now?

But do you notice improvement or is it just back to where it was?

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by Ashermusic

But do you notice improvement or is it just back to where it was?

Heya Jay.

Feels the same—however, I haven't run any audio apps as yest (Pro Tools LE) etc. just my design apps :)

Will let you know. I'm doing 7.4 upgrade next week.

Stay tuned for Follow Up 3!

[C Heat]

Upgraded to PT LE 7.4cs4

My Mac screams. It was always fast, but 'seems ' faster now—don't know whether that's because of the RAM config or 7.4

Either or, I'm happy

[SaxJordan]

Originally Posted by jcschild

reagrdless of what you buy you need 4 or 8 of the same exact ram

so it doubles each time

2, 4, 8, 16, 32

anything else is not properly configured.

Scott
ADK

+1.