#2010 mac pro memory max update#

Intel shows 24GB as the limit for the 4-core and 6-core processors in the new Mac Pro. Rob-art over at pointed out this Intel specification table for the processors being used in the new 2010 Mac Pro. Then turn it into an MPG Pro Workstation. Or the 2009 8-core models, while they last. ItвЂ™s what 80% of my consulting clients chose, with great satisfaction. If you want a great value in a quad-core machine that can take 32GB (4 X 8GB), then grab this 2.66GHz model while they last, or this one. It remains to be seen if 8GB modules magically work in 3 slots to provide 24GB, but itвЂ™s clear that 32GB will never be possible in a 4/6-core 2010 Mac Pro, at least according to Intel chip specifications.

HereвЂ™s another take: Apple Loved You Pro Users Loves Your Money More, Now. But it disrupts loyal users who just need more memory, not 8 slow cores or 12 moderate speed ones. Presumably this fattens profit margins in two ways: lower priced chips for the 4/6-core, and pushing anyone needing more memory into an 8-core or 12-core model. LetвЂ™s hope that specification is simply Intel being conservative, and that 32GB are possible. I personally use 24GB as 3 X 8GB in my quad-core 3.33GHz 2009 Mac Pro, but IвЂ™ve also run it with 32GB (ditto for the 2.66GHz model I had for some time).ДЄpple has made the decision in the 2010 Mac Pro to (a) use a design with four memory slots, and (b) to use processors that are spec'd to max-out at 24GB with six slots. The previous Mac Pro 2009 lineup allowed the use of 8GB modules for 32GB total (though Apple never offered more than 16GB using 4GB modules). There is also the vague вЂњdependent on memory typeвЂќ parenthetical. There does seem to be some room for play here- while Intel specs for the hexacore W3680 state 24GB as the max memory size, the addressing is 36-bit, which should allow 64GB (32GB if one bit is reserved).

IвЂ™d be cautious until the new Mac Pro ships, and those vendors actually test their modules in them. Some readers seem to think that 8GB modules will work, and that some vendors are already claiming they will. Or whether IntelвЂ™s stated maximum of 24GB is simply a specification, but that 32GB will work as with the 2009 Mac Pro, in spite of the specification. Your smart move is to wait 10 days or so to see if 8GB modules will or will not work in the new 4/6-core Mac Pro. Another source says certain vendors are already claiming compatibility (not a great plan to claim before actually testing in production machines, as Apple has a history of making slight changes to memory requirements). I canвЂ™t verify this, but it does sound promising.

#2010 mac pro memory max update#

Update August 11: several sources suggest (in various ways) that 8GB modules should work in the new 4/6-core Mac Pro because it should be using the Intel 5520 chipset, a minor update to the Intel 5500 chipset in the 2009 Mac Pro. Update August 12: OWC Larry says вЂњ 85/15 chance on 8GB working in 4/6-core- I share a cautious optimism now with comparison/expectation to the 2009 model design chipset and expectation fromвЂќ. SEND FEEDBACK Related: Mac Pro, memory, video