[michelangelo33]

I want to upgrade my wife's Mac Pro's memory.

Will there be a noticeable difference from her current 3 GB to a newer 5 GB?

She uses all CS3 apps. Typically running Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign at the same time. Also, FileMaker, Mail and Safari. These apps are always open and always in use.

She currently has 2 512 MB sticks that came with the computer plus an upgrade from OWC of 2 1 GB sticks. I was thinking of getting her 2 more 1 GB sticks from OWC.

But, will she even notice?

[Cold Warrior]

Usually it's better to reduce the number of total sticks and go with higher densities, e.g., x2 2GB sticks.

[mduell]

Is she actually using the memory she has? Is she swapping? Would the upgrade eliminate the swapping?

I wouldn't throw away memory you already own just to avoid the latency penalty of using >4 sticks. Just put the smallest modules (512s) in the outside slots.

[michelangelo33]

I was not planning on getting rid of any of the memory.

So, you recommend moving the 512's to the outside slots and having both 1 GB pairs on the inside.

But, for what she is doing, graphic design, will she even notice a difference?

[ninahagen]

Originally Posted by michelangelo33 

I was not planning on getting rid of any of the memory.

So, you recommend moving the 512's to the outside slots and having both 1 GB pairs on the inside.

But, for what she is doing, graphic design, will she even notice a difference?

First, check out this link...

http://forums.macnn.com/65/mac-pro-a...configuration/

and read it all...

Next, it depends on how intensive the work is. What size files is she working with. We also use Photoshop and Illustrator at the same time. On small files, no difference. With monster files 500MB~1.5GB it matters, especially when batching (using the batch command to execute the same sequence of operations on a group of files). We use 8GB and it is enough. PS sees 3GB, IA something similar, so you can even have other programs running with room to spare.

I would ask mduell how to monitor the swapping, add 2x1GB, see if you are still swapping, if so, add 2 more.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by michelangelo33 

I was not planning on getting rid of any of the memory.

So, you recommend moving the 512's to the outside slots and having both 1 GB pairs on the inside.

But, for what she is doing, graphic design, will she even notice a difference?

Yes, put the 512s on the outer slots (but both on the same card).

It depends how big the images are that she's working with. Check page ins/outs in Activity Monitor after a good day of work; if you're in the 5-6 figures for both, you could use more RAM.

[Sakino]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Yes, put the 512s on the outer slots (but both on the same card).

It depends how big the images are that she's working with. Check page ins/outs in Activity Monitor after a good day of work; if you're in the 5-6 figures for both, you could use more RAM.

Actually I am kind of happy I came across this thread, because I was under a different impression when it came to memory for the mac pros. I was under the impression that you had to have the same type of ram in each riser? So basically I can keep my two 512s and put them on the same riser and pick up additional ram.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by Sakino 

Actually I am kind of happy I came across this thread, because I was under a different impression when it came to memory for the mac pros. I was under the impression that you had to have the same type of ram in each riser? So basically I can keep my two 512s and put them on the same riser and pick up additional ram.

Yep. Each pair of slots needs the same size modules, you you can mix pair sizes on the same riser.