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Home: Video University Forums: Mac Video:
Time to upgrade the Mac Pro!

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GmElliott
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Apr 15, 2008, 10:40 AM

Post #1 of 31 (1562 views)
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Time to upgrade the Mac Pro!	Can't Post

I'm editing HD exclusively now so it's time to upgrade the Mac Pro! I bought a fir gen Quad 2.66 Mac Pro with 2 gigs of ram. I'd like to upgrade my ram but have a few questions:

1) I believe I currently have two one gig chips- does the ram have to be installed in pairs (matched)?

2) Not sure which online retailer to go with, I've looked at Other World Computing and Crucial. Any suggestions? I want the best quality ram money can buy ASIDE from the ram directly from Apple which is obscenely overpriced!

3) How much ram should I upgrade to? At what point is it overkill?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Alan R
Enthusiast

Apr 15, 2008, 11:06 AM

Post #2 of 31 (1552 views)
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In Reply To

You can buy two more 1 gig chips, which from what I have heard is the ideal configuration (I think that you should have 2 in each riser, but I could be wrong). Crucial and OWC are good sources, just don't get the cheap stuff from OWC. I bought 4 gigs of RAM from OWC (the better memory with the good heatsinks), and have had no problems. So far 4GB is fine, but then I am just starting HD editing.

One more thing, if you purchase two ram chips, try to match them as closely as possible to what you have.

Alan Robinson
Bonnie Blink Productions

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 11:17 AM

Post #3 of 31 (1547 views)
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Re: [Alan R] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here is the list I'm looking at: http://eshop.macsales.com/...Criteria=&sort=a

What's the "cheap stuff"? The ones that "don't" say Apple Certified?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Alan R
Enthusiast

Apr 15, 2008, 12:26 PM

Post #4 of 31 (1533 views)
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In Reply To

Here is the list I'm looking at: http://eshop.macsales.com/...Criteria=&sort=a

What's the "cheap stuff"? The ones that "don't" say Apple Certified?

The Apple Certified memory is what I got. The "Apple Qualified" memory might be ok too, what is the difference between certified and qualified? I have had problems with OWC memory, but it is mostly stuff that I got for other machines. I had some G5 memory that didn't work in my G5, it did in my PC though. I also put some inexpensive OWC memory in my sister's G5 iMac that was unstable.

You should be good if you stick to the certified memory. Also OWC is good about exchanges, so send it back if it isn't perfect.

Alan Robinson
Bonnie Blink Productions

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 12:29 PM

Post #5 of 31 (1528 views)
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Re: [Alan R] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmm probably safer just to go with Crucial. I wan't to take the path with the least probablility for problems- even at the expense of price.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Alan R
Enthusiast

Apr 15, 2008, 1:19 PM

Post #6 of 31 (1520 views)
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In Reply To

Hmm probably safer just to go with Crucial. I wan't to take the path with the least probablility for problems- even at the expense of price.

Yup, thats probably the safest route. As my earlier post says, I have had very mixed results with OWC memory.

Alan Robinson
Bonnie Blink Productions

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 2:19 PM

Post #7 of 31 (1512 views)
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Re: [Alan R] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the input Alan.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

brucecleveland
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 2:28 PM

Post #8 of 31 (1511 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Crucial rules. Keep us posted.

Bruce
"Always over my head, but not quite deep enough to drown."

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 3:13 PM

Post #9 of 31 (1505 views)
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Re: [brucecleveland] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

What's the best way to go Bruce- run the system tester on the website and choose from the available options? I'm at my dayjob right now. I'd like to go crazy and install another 8 gigs (total 10 gigs)- why not?! :)

I know it has to be paired but do the same size ram modules have to be used on each riser. For example in riser #1 I have two 1 gig sticks. Can I put 2 gig sticks in the other two available slots?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

brucecleveland
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Apr 15, 2008, 3:30 PM

Post #10 of 31 (1502 views)
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In Reply To

I think they make it pretty fool proof and take you though the questions about your system. The more the better I always say. I have 4 gigs right now and wish I had 8

Bruce
"Always over my head, but not quite deep enough to drown."

carnicelli
User

Apr 15, 2008, 3:38 PM

Post #11 of 31 (1500 views)
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I recommend Crucial also. I've been told to allow at least 1 gig per core.

Bill Carnicelli
Carnicelli Media Productions Inc

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 6:15 PM

Post #12 of 31 (1478 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just checked I have 4 512k sticks. Unsure

Two in Riser A and two in Riser B.

If I get two 2 gig sticks how should I install them. Can I simply plug them into the two available slots on one of the risers or should I move/consolidate the existing 512k sticks from one riser to the other? In other words one will have FOUR 512k sticks and the other the two new 2 gig sticks.

Is it bad to have two 512k sticks and two 2 gig sticks on the same Riser? If so why?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

thatmdvideoguy
Enthusiast

Apr 15, 2008, 6:24 PM

Post #13 of 31 (1477 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bought this from OWC back in December:

http://eshop.macsales.com/...mputing/53FB2GD8GBK/

It looks like the price has dropped about $130 since then! I am now configured with 9 Gb of RAM.

When I installed the new DIMMS, I put them in the first two slots on the two risers and moved the pre-installed 2x512Mb DIMMS to the slots 3 & 4 of the A riser. If I remember, I had read that all communications in/out of each riser has to go thru the DIMMS in the first positions, so having the larger DIMMS there should give better performance.

FYI, I rarely come anywhere near using all my memory. The least amount of unused memory I can recall in iStat Pro was about 500 Mb. I'm not sure how I got there; I have FCP2, Compressor, Motion, and Photoshop CS3 all open right now, and only about 1.6 Gb of memory are tied up.

Allan
2 VX2000s, 3.0 8-core Mac Pro, Dual 1Gb G4, G3, PowerBook G4, FCStudio 2 not 3, PS CS3, Samson U32 Q mic, Edirol R-09, 4 iRivers, NRG lights, Epson R300 and Stylus 600 and HPC5280 printers, Bravo II publisher, a sense of humor, little hair and occasional flashes of creativity

http://www.thatvideoguy.net

4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

gl
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 6:50 PM

Post #14 of 31 (1473 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Personally, I would do something like this:

http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm?ID=9215&Item=OWC53FB2MPK04GB

As far as amount, it depends on your workflow and habits. If you are only using 1 or 2 apps at a time then I would not bother with more than 4 gigs. IF you are like me with 4-5 apps open at a time then I would get 8 at least.

-gl

�Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.� ~ Abraham Lincoln

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 9:39 PM

Post #15 of 31 (1441 views)
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Re: [gl] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just ordered two 4 gig (2x2gig) kits. I'll have a total of 10 gigs. Four 512k modules, and Four 2 gig modules.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

gl
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 9:43 PM

Post #16 of 31 (1437 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very nice. BTW they just released the 8800GT for the 1st gen MacPros if you want a video upgrade.

-gl

�Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.� ~ Abraham Lincoln

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 15, 2008, 9:49 PM

Post #17 of 31 (1437 views)
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Re: [gl] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

YEP! I'll be needing that for Starcraft 2!!!!!!

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Scott S
Veteran

Apr 16, 2008, 4:47 AM

Post #18 of 31 (1394 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

OWC brand works great and they have great prices on the macpro ram. Yes, must be done in pairs.. I currently have 16gb, 8x2gb chips. If you are multitasking your machine like me, compressor encoding for dvd while editing in FCP and running batch processor in Peak, the there is no such thing as overkill.. Not for how cheap the ram is now days...

I've personally never had a problem with owc brand ram in since mac went to intels... I did have a problem with crucial ram in a g5 a long time ago though...

OWC is also doing a rebate for your original ram when you buy your upgrade from them... you can ditch the 512s while you can still get a couple bucks for them...

Scott

(This post was edited by Scott S on Apr 16, 2008, 4:53 AM)

Scott S
Veteran

Apr 16, 2008, 4:52 AM

Post #19 of 31 (1392 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

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I just checked I have 4 512k sticks. Unsure

Dude, you need to break out your little user manual that came with your macpro...it details right there how to install new ram... If you don't have it go to apple.com and look up the pdf...

gl
Veteran

Apr 16, 2008, 11:59 AM

Post #20 of 31 (1368 views)
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Yeah, SC2 is exactly what I DON'T need...another distraction Crazy

-gl

�Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.� ~ Abraham Lincoln

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 16, 2008, 9:36 PM

Post #21 of 31 (1341 views)
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Re: [Scott S] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm assuming you don't know off-hand either. I already checked my manual and it didn't say anything other than to install in pairs. I did however find this: http://docs.info.apple.com/...e.html?artnum=304492

And "believe" I followed the way they suggested. Here's a grab from my system profiler...

Did I, to your knowledge install this the correct way?

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

(This post was edited by GmElliott on Apr 16, 2008, 9:36 PM)

Scott S
Veteran

Apr 16, 2008, 10:41 PM

Post #22 of 31 (1327 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

C'mon Glen, your manual says a lot more than just install in pairs... pages 33 and 34 are pretty clear. From that it looks correct though...

http://manuals.info.apple.com/...c_Pro_User_Guide.pdf

Scott

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 17, 2008, 2:00 PM

Post #23 of 31 (1254 views)
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Re: [Scott S] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Oh it does- it explains what sequence to add new ram in. However they don't specify if it's better to have say all 512k sticks on one and all 2gig sticks on another- which was, if you read carefully, my specific question. I only found literature regarding parallel installment via an internet search on an obscure apple support document- "not" the Mac Pro Users guide which you hastilly scoffed at me as if I didn't read it, and that it indeed included the actual answer to my specific question.

I appreciate the input even in the backhanded way it was delivered. Wink

Oh C'mon Scott!

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

GmElliott
Veteran

Apr 17, 2008, 2:20 PM

Post #24 of 31 (1251 views)
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Re: [gl] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Very nice. BTW they just released the 8800GT for the 1st gen MacPros if you want a video upgrade.

-gl

This raises concern for me though:

(from BareFeats)...

CONCLUSION
The fastest times in all 15 cases were achieved by one of the two ATI Radeon graphics cards. The only time the nVidia GeForce 8800 GT beat the Radeon HD 2600 XT was when rendering the "Blocks-Detail.HD" APPLE MOTION 3 template. In all other cases, the Radeon HD 2600 XT's advantage over the GeForce 8800 GT (and Quadro FX 5600) was no less than 22% and as much as 42%.
We consider this incontrovertible evidence that the GeForce 8800 GT is deficient when rendering Core Image effects. This performance deficiency will extend to other Apple pro apps like Final Cut Pro video effects and Aperture functions that invoke Core Image.

Reference article: http://www.barefeats.com/harper10.html

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Scott S
Veteran

Apr 17, 2008, 2:35 PM

Post #25 of 31 (1246 views)
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Re: [GmElliott] Time to upgrade the Mac Pro! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I missed post twelve where you specifically asked that... My replies were to your original post which didn't specifically ask that, and your reply to my post.... No, I wasn't scoffing... :) Don't be so sensitive. Tongue

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