Topic: RAM for MacPro (Read 4326 times)

bellimages · « **on:** July 08, 2009, 11:41:06 am »

I recently purchased a beast of a MacPro. But I didn't want to spend the $4,000 that Apple charges for RAM. So I bought from Other World Computing. They state that their RAM meets, or exceeds, Apple's standards.

I've noticed that Photoshop crashes abruptly from time to time on this new machine. I usually have 6-10 400MB files open when I notice this. And I've had them open for a week or more .... working on them as I see fit. I realize that this isn't the "best" method of computing .... but it's the way that I work.

Should I consider a periodic crash to be a norm? Or could the Other World Computing RAM be the cause? I know that there are no definitive answers, and any tech person would tell me to remove the OWC RAM and see if the issue still occurs.

I'm just hoping that some of you tech geeks have some thoughts on this. If you can only speculate, please don't reply to this post.

Jack Flesher · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2009, 11:56:59 am »

FWIW, I have found that CS4 does not like to be left open for long periods of time. I reboot my Mac Pro (24G of OWC RAM) maybe two or three times per month, but find that CS4 will crash if left open for more than about 12 hours at a time. So I close when I'm done with an editing session and re-launch when I want to get back to it. Seems that CS4 cannot efficiently release or reacquire memory unless it is shut down and re-booted -- and of course the crash takes care of this for you The interesting thing is that OSX will keep CS in the launch register, so the next launch only takes like 3 seconds.

Christopher Sanderson · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2009, 11:59:09 am »

Should you not have read it, here is a link to download Apple's current installation specs PDF for the MacPro Nehalem RAM. It is somewhat complicated.

bellimages · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2009, 12:20:59 pm »

I should have stated that my MacPro is the previous version of RAM (before Nehalem).

For what it's worth, I held off my MacPro for 18 months, waiting for Nehalem. Apple dragged its heels. Then, four weeks after I ordered my MacPro, they released Nehalem. Aarggggggg, so so frustrating. At least my MacPro offers a Firewire 400 port, and doesn't use the new small display port (I am running a NEC3090).

Anthony R · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2009, 12:48:45 pm »

You can run a diagnostic to see if you have bad ram. Google it.

FYI, Apple sources their ram from Crucial. You can buy the exact ram they use for much less than Apple charges.

jimgolden · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2009, 02:37:59 am »

I still can't figure out why it'd be worth it to upgrade to PS CS4 - it seems like everyday I hear something else lame about it - now this?? I just about never restart PS, let alone my whole system...

budjames · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2009, 05:59:42 am »

I have a first generation MacPro 8-core (2 x 3 Ghz Quad-Core with 667 Mhz DDR2 FB-DIMM) that I purchased in 4/07 with 4GB of Apple RAM installed (4 x 1GB). A couple of months later, I installed an additional 4 x 2GB for a total of 12GB with all simm slots occupied. Everything was working fine.

Today I ordered the 32GB ram upgrade kit (8 x 4GB) from OWC. You can never be too thin, too rich or have too much ram.

Anybody interested in making me an offer on the Apple and OEM ram coming out of my machine? (4 x 1 GB and 4 x 2GB)

Cheers.
Bud James

Jack Flesher · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:56:56 am »

Quote from: budjames

I have a first generation MacPro 8-core (2 x 3 Ghz Quad-Core with 667 Mhz DDR2 FB-DIMM) that I purchased in 4/07 with 4GB of Apple RAM installed (4 x 1GB). A couple of months later, I installed an additional 4 x 2GB for a total of 12GB with all simm slots occupied. Everything was working fine.

Today I ordered the 32GB ram upgrade kit (8 x 4GB) from OWC. You can never be too thin, too rich or have too much ram.

Anybody interested in making me an offer on the Apple and OEM ram coming out of my machine? (4 x 1 GB and 4 x 2GB)

Cheers.
Bud James

Bud,

I think OWC will buy back used RAM if you purchased your new RAM from them. See their website for pricing.

Cheers,

budjames · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:55:41 pm »

Quote from: Jack Flesher

Bud,

I think OWC will buy back used RAM if you purchased your new RAM from them. See their website for pricing.

Cheers,

Yes, I caught that when I placed my order. Not for much though and only for Apple OEM memory. ($12/Apple 1GB stick)

Thanks.

Bud

bellimages · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2009, 11:49:03 am »

Quote from: budjames

Yes, I caught that when I placed my order. Not for much though and only for Apple OEM memory. ($12/Apple 1GB stick)

Thanks.

Bud

.... better than nothing I guess. 4 x 1GB RAM = $48.

Jack Flesher · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2009, 11:55:15 am »

Exactly -- what do you think it is actually worth on the open market Bud? Not much for 1G sticks I'm afraid, Apple OEM or not...

budjames · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2009, 07:03:49 pm »

Quote from: Jack Flesher

Exactly -- what do you think it is actually worth on the open market Bud? Not much for 1G sticks I'm afraid, Apple OEM or not...

I donate them to the Smithsonian in 20 years. LOL!

Bud

Author Topic: RAM for MacPro (Read 4326 times)