Mac Pro - how can i know i'm buying the right memory kit?

kizzy · kizzy #1 (**permalink**)

06-06-2008, 03:34 AM

hi there.
i just got a Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon dual 2.8 GHz with 2GB of memory.

i found an 8GB ( 2 x 4GB ) DDR2 PC2-5300 ECC Fully Buffered Memory Kit for
Apple Mac Pro Quad & 8-Core online for about $700

i've also found DDR2 PC2-6400 for about $50 more.

how can i be sure i'm buying the right memory for my computer.
they seem to be very model-specific.

do these prices sound reasonable?
i'd rather buy the 4GB chips to have more room to expand in the future.

i appreciate your help.

kiz

pjhutch · pjhutch #2 (**permalink**)

06-06-2008, 04:02 AM

The System Profiler utility will tell you whats already inside your mac so at least you can compare the memory types.

mrplow · mrplow #3 (**permalink**)

06-06-2008, 04:05 AM

The Crucial Website has a system profiler that will guarantee to find compatible ram

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #4 (**permalink**)

06-06-2008, 08:32 AM

You need the PC6400 RAM. The PC5300 is for the older Mac Pros. Try macsales.com. I suspect their prices are much more reasonable and they clearly state which speed is for which model.

mac57 · mac57 #5 (**permalink**)

06-06-2008, 10:07 AM

Per mrplow, the Crucial Web Site has a "Memory Advisor" that will lead you to the right memory. In this case, you want the Mac Pro, Xeon 5400 4 core type, which leads you to this page. From this you can see that what you want is DDR2-6400.

I have the same generation of Mac Pro and bought memory upgrades from Crucial. They work great, so I can confirm that this is the right memory for the machine.

kizzy · kizzy #6 (**permalink**)

06-07-2008, 07:37 PM

many thanks.
it was $50 cheaper at macsales.com so it's on its way now.
bought 500GB drive to boot.
can't wait.
thanks.

bryphotoguy #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,978 Mac Specs: Quad 2.8GHz Mac Pro, Edge iPhone	06-06-2008, 08:32 AM You need the PC6400 RAM. The PC5300 is for the older Mac Pros. Try macsales.com. I suspect their prices are much more reasonable and they clearly state which speed is for which model. January 2008 Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

mac57 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,560 Mac Specs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD, 8 GB RAM	06-06-2008, 10:07 AM Per mrplow, the Crucial Web Site has a "Memory Advisor" that will lead you to the right memory. In this case, you want the Mac Pro, Xeon 5400 4 core type, which leads you to this page. From this you can see that what you want is DDR2-6400. I have the same generation of Mac Pro and bought memory upgrades from Crucial. They work great, so I can confirm that this is the right memory for the machine. My Macs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, Mac Pro 3.2 GHz, PowerMac G5 Quad 2.5 GHz, G4 Cube with 1.2 GHz Upgrade My iStuff: 64GB iPhone 5, 64GB iPad4, 30GB iPod Video, 16GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Lion, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS 9.2.2, openSUSE 10.3 I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

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kizzy #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 06, 2008 Posts: 4	06-06-2008, 03:34 AM hi there. i just got a Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon dual 2.8 GHz with 2GB of memory. i found an 8GB ( 2 x 4GB ) DDR2 PC2-5300 ECC Fully Buffered Memory Kit for Apple Mac Pro Quad & 8-Core online for about $700 i've also found DDR2 PC2-6400 for about $50 more. how can i be sure i'm buying the right memory for my computer. they seem to be very model-specific. do these prices sound reasonable? i'd rather buy the 4GB chips to have more room to expand in the future. i appreciate your help. kiz
	QUOTE Thanks

pjhutch #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 04, 2007 Posts: 254	06-06-2008, 04:02 AM The System Profiler utility will tell you whats already inside your mac so at least you can compare the memory types.
	QUOTE Thanks

kizzy #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 06, 2008 Posts: 4	06-07-2008, 07:37 PM many thanks. it was $50 cheaper at macsales.com so it's on its way now. bought 500GB drive to boot. can't wait. thanks.
	QUOTE Thanks

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