Mar 24, 2014 - The 2013 Mac Pro's small chassis limits the user to only four RAM slots, supporting an official maximum of 64GB of memory (several. 32GB (8X4GB) MEMORY FOR MAC PRO Early 2008 - BTO/CTO - MacPro 3.1 - A1186, 2180 DDR2 800 PC2 6400 DIMMs with required Apple Heat Sinks Brand New Micron 4 GB 32 GB.
When Apple released its flagship Mac Pro redesign late last year, professionals to place their orders. With a sleek new design, powerful components, and updated software, the new Mac Pro promises to significantly improve power user and professional workflows. But if there’s one area where the Mac Pro could use an upgrade, it’s RAM. The 2013 Mac Pro’s small chassis limits the user to only four RAM slots, supporting an official maximum of 64GB of memory (several manufacturers have 32GB DIMMs, enabling up to 128GB of RAM, although we have yet to test this configuration). This limit is a step down from the previous Mac Pro design, which supported eight RAM slots, for at current memory densities.
This means that many purchasers of the new Mac Pro will want to maximize the available slots and upgrade their system’s memory from the 12 or 16GB capacities found on the Mac Pro’s. Since the 2013 Mac Pro’s launch, several companies have announced third party RAM upgrades and we decided to put two of the best-known brands to the test. Today, we’ll be looking at 64GB Mac Pro RAM upgrades from (OWC) and to find out what advantages they have over the stock Apple RAM (and each other) in terms of performance and value.
Testing Hardware & Methodology The 2013 Mac Pro RAM tests were performed on the 3.5 GHz 6-core model, with two D500 GPUs, the standard 256GB SSD, and stock 16GB of RAM. For the tests, we performed a clean install of OS X 10.9.2 and disabled any unnecessary apps and services. Our testing software is Primate Labs’, version 3.1.3. For each RAM configuration, the tests were run three times and the results were averaged to provide the data in the charts below. RAM Specifications & Installation The stock Apple RAM arrives as four 4GB DIMMs, rated at PC3–14900 (1866 MHz). The memory is sourced from, a longtime Apple supplier. From the top, a Crucial, Other World Computing, and Apple DIMM for the 2013 Mac Pro.
At the 64GB capacity, both the Crucial and OWC RAM upgrades maintain the same PC3–14900 rating, and both sets are configured as four 16GB DIMMs. OWC’s memory is also sourced from SK Hynix, while Crucial relies on parent company. The Crucial memory arrives alone, but OWC throws in a nice extra in the form of a tool that helps release the Mac Pro’s RAM slots. As described by Apple Support Document, the user must press a RAM bay release lever to enable the slots to swing outward for access. But as noted by OWC, and verified by our own experimentation, this release lever is alarmingly easy to bend while applying force.
The “spudger” included in the Other World Computing kit allows for easy release of the RAM lever. To solve this, OWC includes a “” with which the user can easily lift up the RAM bay lever to release it.
This method is easier, safer, and a great example of the way that OWC goes out of its way to make sure customers have the resources they need for hardware upgrades. Referencing the above-mentioned Apple Support Document, 2013 Mac Pro RAM upgrades are fairly simple. Just note that with the Mac Pro’s cover removed, capacitors and other sensitive components are exposed on the cylindrical chassis. Make sure that when you are installing or removing DIMMs that your opposite hand is positioned safely for leverage, so that you don’t accidentally damage any components. Benchmarks The value of more RAM is obvious, so both the OWC and Crucial kits are important upgrades for power users. But we’re also interested to see if there’s any performance benefit to having more RAM and, as you’ll see below, the answer in this case is ‘yes.’ The Geekbench memory test performs on RAM bandwidth, and measures results in both single- and multi-core configurations.
Looking first at single-core results, we see that both the Crucial and OWC RAM kits provide a slight bump in performance over the stock Apple RAM of between 3 and 5 percent, with Crucial slightly ahead of OWC. Moving to multi-core results, the improvement in memory bandwidth is more noticeable, with an advantage of between 9 and 16 percent, depending on the test. Here, the roles reverse from the single-core tests, and the OWC RAM enjoys a slight lead over Crucial. The memory bandwidth improvement in multi-core scenarios is clear, although most workflows would be hard-pressed to realize the smaller difference revealed by the single-core tests. Still, considering that the 64GB RAM upgrade provides a huge benefit just in terms of capacity, any improvement in bandwidth is a nice bonus.
Value If you need the power of the 2013 Mac Pro, you’ll also likely need more RAM than Apple provides in its standard configurations. But what’s the best way to acquire that additional RAM? We’ll attempt to address the value proposition in the following table. Note that Apple charges different amounts to upgrade to 64GB of RAM depending on the base configuration of 12 or 16GB. Therefore, both are included.
Also note that Crucial does not currently sell a single 64GB kit for the Mac Pro, but instead a 32GB (16GBx2) kit. As a result, Crucial’s entry in the table represents two 32GB kits. RAM Option Price Cost Per GB Apple 64GB (12GB Upgrade) $1,300 $20.31 Apple 64GB (16GB Upgrade) $1,200 $18.75 Other World Computing 64GB. $829 $12.95 Crucial 64GB $840 $13.12.Update: when we first published this article, OWC’s kit was priced at $849. Today, the company lowered the price to $829, and the chart above has been updated accordingly. As you can see, there is a clear cost advantage to third party RAM, with a maximum potential savings of about $460 over the stock Apple upgrade.
Further, users purchasing third party memory get to keep the existing 12 or 16GB kit that shipped with the Mac Pro. While the market for reselling this memory may currently be small, an extra set of DIMMs could still come in handy for troubleshooting or future upgrades. Conclusions There are certainly several uses for the 2013 Mac Pro which can take advantage of the system’s CPU and GPUs without heavily taxing the RAM. But, as mentioned above, most consumers who purchase a Mac Pro will need to upgrade their RAM. With a simple installation process and huge cost savings, going with a reliable third party is a no-brainer.
Both Crucial and OWC are excellent companies with a strong history of quality and reliability. With similar prices and performance, those looking for a 2013 Mac Pro RAM upgrade can’t go wrong with either, and we recommend that you go for whichever kit you can find cheapest. Assuming that prices remain tight, however, we’d have to tip the scales in favor of OWC. The company’s thoughtful inclusion of the spudger for the RAM release lever, and its outstanding customer service, make the $9 premium over Crucial almost meaningless (see the update above about the recent price drop on the OWC Memory). Either way, though, your Mac Pro will thank you for the extra memory, and some workflows will enjoy a nice performance boost.
The ( $849 $829) and memory kits are both available now (remember that you’ll need to buy two 32GB Crucial kits at $420 each). As we mentioned at the start of this article, several companies have introduced 32GB DIMMs, allowing RAM configurations of 96 and 128GB. The downside, however, is that these denser modules are only rated for PC3–10600 (1333 MHz). This should translate to lower memory bandwidth but we’re still waiting to test this configuration here at TekRevue.
We’ll update this article once we know more.
If you're like me and are still waiting for 2019 to roll around with the rumoured release of a new modular Mac Pro, then you might be interested in getting the most out of your current modular Mac Pro by getting more RAM capacity. You might also want to make certain that your current memory configuration is giving you the best possible performance. We show you how!.
Specifications Mac Pros have pretty stringent specification requirements when it comes to memory modules as opposed to a PC based system. The type of memory you need for a Mac Pro is the same type of memory that server class machines use. Specifically, Mac Pros use:. Module type of DDR3 SDRAM. Speed rating of PC3-10600E, 1333 MHz or PC3-8500, 1066 MHz(See below).
![Memory Memory](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125458015/556917303.png)
Dimensions of 72-bit wide, 240-pin modules. Use a special logic called error-correcting code or ECC for increased stability capabilities. Mac Pro memory speed will also be contingent upon the type of processor you have installed. For example, if I am running a Nehalem based CPU, the maximum memory speed will be 1066 MHz even if I install 1333 MHz memory. If I have a Westmere based CPU, I can run memory modules that support 1333 MHz and will run at their rated speed but will also allow for slower 1066 memory modules to be installed and run at the lower rated speed. Buying memory You can get deals on eBay for memory modules of various capacity that can function in your Mac Pro. However, such purchases can be hit to miss.
I bought 32GB of (4 modules) on eBay and when I received them, only 1 of the 4 modules were functional. You can also, find compatible memory on Amazon such as these here.
Installing memory The pre 2013 Mac Pros are very friendly to the end user for the ease of access and latch system that the components are installed with. As such, no tools are required for this operation. Removing memory modules. Shutdown the Mac Pro. Unplug the power connector. Lift the side panel hatch lever. Remove the side panel.
Depress the CPU tray latches. Pull out the CPU tray. Place the tray on a non-static surface. Dress the tabs on each side of a memory module you want to remove. Carefully lift remove the memory module and place it in a static bag for storage.
Depending on your type of Mac Pro, you make have either 4 memory slots or 8 memory slots (single CPU or dual CPU configurations respectively). The process is the same for both except for the number of modules. Do not be so quick to think you need to fill up all fo the memory modules. In fact, the fastest memory configuration will require you to NOT use all of the memory slots.
Mac Pros have single, double, and triple channel memory configurations. This means that depending on where you install the memory modules, the memory can run at its rated speed for a single channel configuration, at effectively double the speed for dual channel configurations, and at effectively triple the speed at triple channel configurations. The Mac can achieve this by 'striping' data to 2 or 3 modules at once for the dual and triple channel setups. If you want a dual channel memory setup, you can fill up all of the slots. If you want the faster triple channel setup, you can only fill up slots 1,2 and 3 on a single CPU Mac Pro. If you have a dual CPU Mac Pro, the you'll have to fill up slots 1,2 and 3 as well but if you want the best possible speeds you'll also want to fill up channels 5, 6 and 7. The dual CPU Macs Pros will work with only 1, 2 and 3 slots filled but the second CPU will have to share access to the memory channel with the first CPU causing a less than optimal data connection.
Adding memory modules. Line up the pins on the bottom of the memory module with the memory slot. Note that there exists a notch in the module so that the memory can only be inserted in one way. Evenly press the memory module into the slot.
![Memory for mac pro 2010 Memory for mac pro 2010](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125458015/886138838.png)
Ensure that the tabs on each side of the memory module are 'grabbing' the module and are in the 'closed' position. Fill the memory slots as per your desired configuration. Re-insert the CPU tray into the Mac Pro. Close the CPU tray latches.
Close the side panel and latch. Plug in your Mac Pro. Power up your Mac Pro. Final comments If everything went well your newly installed memory should be now accessible. I simply added modules to my configuration to configure it in triple channel mode and my LuxMark results went up 800 points vs a dual channel setup. If I can eek out that much more performance form my nearly decade old 2009 Mac Pro, then I'm all the happier for it. What about you?
Let us know your thoughts on how worthwhile it is to upgrade such old hardware when a new modular Mac Pro coming in about a years time! This post may contain affiliate links. See our for more details.