[SCSI-Plus]

Hello,

First posting here but
though I may be a n00b on this forum, but i've been a proud user since system 6

Got a question to ask those in the know. I'm going to be purchasing a new Mac Pro system for use with Maya, mainly, and Logic, AfterEffects, CS suite, etc. ANYWAY... I've been doing some price searching and it appears that I can get 4 GB of RAM aftermarket for a questionably $400 cheaper than I can through Apple. resources come from: ramseeker

SO, these brands of RAM on here, like HYPERFORMANCE, and OPTIVAL, and Data Memory Services... Are the credible? How does their performance stack up to say, Crucial? (i believe that's Apple's supplier) Is there a noticeable difference? Is the extra $400 worth it?

any help would be appreciated!

Also- is there a difference between 'RAM kits' and just 'RAM' ? - is it just the right amount of DIMMs to equal the total??? i'm confuzzled here

CBJ

[CharlesS]

We've had problems with cheap RAM in the past. I would definitely avoid it as flaky RAM is one of the few things that can make Mac OS X crash. A lot.

However, that's not to say you have to pay the extra $400 - just get the RAM from Crucial directly instead of through Apple. Apple overprices their RAM, and since they do use Micron (Crucial) RAM, you'll get the same thing if you order from Crucial.

[Frugle]

You are using your computer for some seriously heavy stuff. I would HIGHLY recomend NOT getting generic cheap ram.. 1, they don't run at full speed... and 2) are more likely to flake out...

I think it would be much to risky when your business relys on this computer..

that being said, there are many brands that are cheaper than Apple, Crucial is a good brand, Kinsington, OCZ, I have Mushkin in my computer... these all are great brands that will run at full speed, and will be reliable.

[Big Mac]

The big problem with bargain RAM in a Mac Pro is that the RAM recommended for the Mac Pro has a larger type of heat sink than bargain RAM of the same type. Without the large heatsinks the RAM is hotter, and that can cause problems.

[tkmd]

Here at Macnn people tend to rave about Crucial RAM. I really don't get it- I have bought memory for my mac pro on the web (I use dealram.com) and never, ever had a problem. Matter of fact, I've had 3 macs and bought cheap memory off the web and never had a problem. I've run Parallels for hours playing Halflife (cpu's float around 30-40%, RAM temps climb to about 145-150F) but no crashes, no errors.

Personally, I wont accept what Crucial wants for its re-branded memory. Dont worry about speed, right now, FB-DiMMs are universally slow (CAS of 5- you cant get slower than that.)
Please note though, that the memory for my MP does have cooling fins on it. I would avoid the rock - bottom memory with no cooling fins.

[Big Mac]

I agree with you about Crucial, tkmd. They are overrated and overpriced, IMO. However, they are one of the only vendors of Mac Pro RAM with the oversized heatsinks. OWC is another. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with Crucial. And as far as RAM in general, one can probably get away with getting the cheapest, generic RAM sold without running into too many problems. But I once had a generic stick from datamem.com fail in my iBook, and ever since then I only buy name brand.

[SCSI-Plus]

thanks for the advice everyone- I do remember reading about speed issues with the DIMMs sans heat sinks, and I need the most out of my memory. I think i'll probably go with OWC, seems to be on the price/performance threshold...

CBJ

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by tkmd 

Here at Macnn people tend to rave about Crucial RAM. I really don't get it- I have bought memory for my mac pro on the web (I use dealram.com) and never, ever had a problem. Matter of fact, I've had 3 macs and bought cheap memory off the web and never had a problem. I've run Parallels for hours playing Halflife (cpu's float around 30-40%, RAM temps climb to about 145-150F) but no crashes, no errors.

You've been lucky. I have seen problems caused by cheap RAM, more than once. I've seen RAM that would cause a computer to constantly crash but behave normally once it was removed. I've seen brand-new RAM sufficiently FUBAR that TechTool Pro was actually able to detect it. But then, I've dealt with far more than 3 Macs in my days. My experiences aren't unique, though.

Crucial, Kingston, Viking, etc. Go with one of the name brands. I mention Crucial because they're what Apple seems to use most of the time, but the other name brands are good also. I would just avoid the cheap stuff.

[Rolling Musubi]

SO, these brands of RAM on here, like HYPERFORMANCE, and OPTIVAL, and Data Memory Services... Are the credible?

The Omni OPTIVAL only has a standard JEDEC heatspreader while the HYPERFORMANCE uses an oversized heatsink. The cheaper Datamem kits also use a standard heatspreader (but a thicker variety which they back for use in the Mac Pro and will exchange if there are any issues) while the ones marked Fully Apple Approved use the oversized heatsink.

For myself, I bought a 2GB kit from Transintl back in October and haven't had problems (currently $348 per this xlr8yourmac link).



In December, I bought a 2GB Techworks kit from Newegg (currently $359) and also haven't had problems (OWC also sells them for around the same price now). Note the one recent Newegg review however about issues with a newer batch (mine is the blue PCB one made in Japan)



Also, YMMV with the OWC modules as if you check on other Mac sites (like Macrumors as one example), there are folks who had a large amount of parity errors on the 1GB modules (the ones with the upturned heatfins) while there are also others who have had no problems. In otherwords, go with a vendor who is reputable and has a no hassle exchange policy.

[SCSI-Plus]

Thanks for the help guys

i just ordered everything today! got my system all setup and got my RAM from OWC.