Mac Pro 5,1 Ram Issue

[jasongoldworthy]

hi guys I have a Mac Pro 5,1 it was running 128GB ram but I did an update and now a stick of ram is dead.

I have tried it in other slots but its following it so id deffo say the ram is the problem.


with the ram being dirt cheap for these would you guys recommend getting ram with heat spreader's on ?


thanks for any advice

Jason

 

[pm-r]

with the ram being dirt cheap for these would you guys recommend getting ram with heat spreader's on ?

You don't say which RAM module is kaput, or what you consider "cheap", but why not ask the supplier that you are planning to use to replace the memory chip.

I would be inclined to go along with Apple's Engineering Developers who seem to have specked heat sinks being used with the memory chips with those Mac models, but you can always add third party Heat Sinks along with some thermal paste if needed I would think.

Memory modules like to be kept reasonably cool to work properly and reliably and last for a decent amount of time.



- Patrick
=======

 

[pigoo3]

with the ram being dirt cheap for these would you guys recommend getting ram with heat spreader's on ?

I have two Mac Pro 5,1's that I use almost daily (one is a 2010 model...the other is a 2012 model).

I bought them both used. One came with RAM with heatsinks...one came with RAM without heatsinks. They both seem to run fine...never had any sort of Mac Pro lockup's (due to heat or otherwise).

The Mac Pro 5,1 without the heatsinks has OWC RAM (OWC label on the RAM).

I'd say go with the RAM with heatsinks if they aren't too expensive/more expensive than RAM without the heatsinks.

I know Mac Pro RAM with Heatsinks can be harder to find. Can always give eBay a try...might be someone selling used Mac Pro RAM with heatsinks.

Another thought. Does this 5,1 Mac Pro really128 GB RAM? Just asking in case it's usually not pushed super hard/a production computer.

HTH,

Nick

 

[jasongoldworthy]

You don't say which RAM module is kaput, or what you consider "cheap", but why not ask the supplier that you are planning to use to replace the memory chip.

I would be inclined to go along with Apple's Engineering Developers who seem to have specked heat sinks being used with the memory chips with those Mac models, but you can always add third party Heat Sinks along with some thermal paste if needed I would think.

Memory modules like to be kept reasonably cool to work properly and reliably and last for a decent amount of time.



- Patrick
=======

Hi Patrick sorry I didn't say what ram I was using,


im using the following ram 16GB 2Rx4 PC3-14900R SK Hynix Brand

I can get the same ones for less than £10 a piece on eBay.

 

[jasongoldworthy]

I have two Mac Pro 5,1's that I use almost daily (one is a 2010 model...the other is a 2012 model).

I bought them both used. One came with RAM with heatsinks...one came with RAM without heatsinks. They both seem to run fine...never had any sort of Mac Pro lockup's (due to heat or otherwise).

The Mac Pro 5,1 without the heatsinks has OWC RAM (OWC label on the RAM).

I'd say go with the RAM with heatsinks if they aren't too expensive/more expensive than RAM without the heatsinks.

I know Mac Pro RAM with Heatsinks can be harder to find. Can always give eBay a try...might be someone selling used Mac Pro RAM with heatsinks.

Another thought. Does this 5,1 Mac Pro really128 GB RAM? Just asking in case it's usually not pushed super hard/a production computer.

HTH,

Nick

Hi Nick thanks also for the reply,

I maxed the ram out because I do video editing on it and photo editing.

I was even considering using Logic Pro x on it hence why I had 128GB of ram in her.

all the ram in my tray is the non heatsink type I wonder if I can get heatsinks to fit the ram ??

but then again ive had the ram a year with no issues so maybe one just become flakey.

thanks guys for the reply's

 

[pm-r]

I can get the same ones for less than £10 a piece on eBay.

Well, it would be pretty hard to complain about spending that much for a 16GB stick of working Ram.

... all the ram in my tray is the non heatsink type I wonder if I can get heatsinks to fit the ram ??

I read somewhere that a Mac Pro user was using generic heat sinks that were salvaged from Adele or HP computer and generally reduced their temperature as I recall by about 10° and never went above 70°.

Maybe the free Macs Fan Control could help if more cooling was needed without any heat sinks being purchased or added.

Macs Fan Control - control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp

Control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp. Monitoring of fan speed and temperature sensors. Solve fan noise and overheating problems, iMac HDD replacement

crystalidea.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[jasongoldworthy]

Well, it would be pretty hard to complain about spending that much for a 16GB stick of working Ram.



I read somewhere that a Mac Pro user was using generic heat sinks that were salvaged from Adele or HP computer and generally reduced their temperature as I recall by about 10° and never went above 70°.

Maybe the free Macs Fan Control could help if more cooling was needed without any heat sinks being purchased or added.

Macs Fan Control - control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp

Control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp. Monitoring of fan speed and temperature sensors. Solve fan noise and overheating problems, iMac HDD replacement

crystalidea.com

- Patrick
=======

Hi Patrick


thanks again for the reply. to be honest im not moaning on the cost of the ram.

my concern is did heat kill them ??

I have Macs Fan Control installed and have it set to 'c not 'f

and the ram is at the following temps.

Dimm Proximity 1 34.2'c
Dimm Proximity 2 35.4'c
Dimm Proximity 3 42'c
Dimm Proximity 4 42'c (no ram installed)

Dimm Proximity 5 40.8'c
Dimm Proximity 6 43.6'c
Dimm Proximity 7 43.3'c
Dimm Proximity 8 34'c (no ram installed)

should I worry about them temps ??

 

[pm-r]

should I worry about them temps ??

I'm certainly no expert but I would say those current temperatures are a far cry from being too hot or a cause of any damage.

That's only a bit above normal body temperature.




- Patrick
=======

 

[krs]

Hi Patrick


thanks again for the reply. to be honest im not moaning on the cost of the ram.

my concern is did heat kill them ??

I have Macs Fan Control installed and have it set to 'c not 'f

and the ram is at the following temps.

Dimm Proximity 1 34.2'c
Dimm Proximity 2 35.4'c
Dimm Proximity 3 42'c
Dimm Proximity 4 42'c (no ram installed)

Dimm Proximity 5 40.8'c
Dimm Proximity 6 43.6'c
Dimm Proximity 7 43.3'c
Dimm Proximity 8 34'c (no ram installed)

should I worry about them temps ??

Not the ones showing.

But check the temperatures when you are doing some heavy video editing to see how high it goes.

 

[jasongoldworthy]

Thanks to you both for the replies.


I will check the temps under load and see how I go.

ill also see if I can source some heatsinks for the ram also

thanks

Jason

 

[pigoo3]

and the ram is at the following temps.

Dimm Proximity 1 34.2'c
Dimm Proximity 2 35.4'c
Dimm Proximity 3 42'c
Dimm Proximity 4 42'c (no ram installed)

Dimm Proximity 5 40.8'c
Dimm Proximity 6 43.6'c
Dimm Proximity 7 43.3'c
Dimm Proximity 8 34'c (no ram installed)

should I worry about them temps ??

Like Patrick mentioned above...the highest RAM temp is 43.6°C (110.5°F)...which is only 11.9°F above average human body temp.

These temperatures are absolutely not an issue at all!

If you were talking 90-95°C (which folks have reported previously with some of their computers...usually laptops)...then maybe we'd have a temperature issue.

RAM temp is not an issue in my opinion.

Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Using Mac's Fan Control...and checking my 2012 Mac Pro 5,1 RAM temp's...highest is 54°C (129°F).

Been running this Mac Pro most of the day each day...for about 2 years...haven't had any RAM issue's.

Nick

 

[jasongoldworthy]

Hi Nick

after editing video in Final Cut for about an hour my ram temps are at


Dimm Proximity 1 62.3'c
Dimm Proximity 2 63.2'c
Dimm Proximity 3 70'c
Dimm Proximity 4 70'c (no ram installed)

Dimm Proximity 5 62.3'c
Dimm Proximity 6 62.3'c
Dimm Proximity 7 57.4'c
Dimm Proximity 8 40'c (no ram installed)

so id say there is no issue there maybe ??

I find it odd that dim 4 is showing 70'c even tho there isn't a stick installed at the moment lol

 

[pm-r]

I find it odd that dim 4 is showing 70'c even tho there isn't a stick installed at the moment lol

As the location sensor says, it's in the Proximity, so I would suggest that whatever is close by to that empty RAM slot is causing the Heat that's being measured unless the sensor itself is Goofy.



- Patrick
=======

 

[pigoo3]

Yes those temps are higher (an hour of video editing with Final Cut will do that of course).

Back in post #1 you mentioned doing an update on this computer (I'm assuming an OS or other software update...but not 100% sure).

Before this update I'm assuming everything was running fine...and I'm going to bet the RAM temps (before the update)...were similar to what they are now.

Basically what I'm thinking...the update & dead RAM stick...are just a coincidence. In theory...if the update was not done...the stick of RAM would still have gone kaput. Just coincidence when the update was done.

If heat/high temps were an issue...and assuming you've been running this computer for a long time...then I would think the RAM would have "kicked the bucket" before this.

Electronics usually don't tolerate high temps for very long (if above what they're supposed to run at). Does the RAM with heatsinks run cooler...maybe. In theory if everything is exactly the same between two computers...the RAM with heatsinks should run cooler (but is the difference significant). Might only be a few degree's.

I know you mentioned trying the dead stick of RAM in other RAM slots (good idea)...and it still shows up "dead". I would also try a good stick of RAM in the RAM slot the "dead" RAM stick came from...just to be 100% sure there's nothing wrong with that RAM slot.

I'm thinking if you need 128GB of RAM...get another 16GB stick of RAM...install it...and see what happens.

- Nick

p.s. I also just checked OWC (macsales.com). If you head there...you'll see that the RAM OWC is selling for Mac Pro 5,1's (2010 & 2012 models)...is RAM without heatsinks/heat spreaders. This would indicate to me that the heatsinks probably not important (I'm sure OWC knows more about this than us).

And Like I mentioned in an earlier post...one of my Mac Pro 5,1's has OWC RAM...without heatsinks...and it runs fine.

 

[pm-r]

ill also see if I can source some heatsinks for the ram also

Those temperatures under load still seem to be well within spec and as Nick said in a previous post, has others on the internet have also mentioned, your iMac Pro 5,1 Ram did not and does not normally use heat sinks on the RAM modules:

Only the 2006-2008 Mac Pro's (1,1 thru 3,1) had the RAM with the heat sinks on them. Mac Pro 4,1 & 5,1 RAM don't have these.

Heat spreaders cMP 5,1 - yes or no?

I will be picking up a cMP 5,1 - 3.2 quad core with 4x2g ram and I have a line on 3x8g 1066 ddr3 ECC ram but they don't have heat spreaders on them. Are the spreaders on the 2g transferable to the 8g or not. I have read in the past that heat spreaders aren't really needed now, is that correct...

www.mac-forums.com

So why bother creating extra work or expense in the mess of thermal paste Etc that may actually hinder heat build-up if not applied properly.

I would say you are good to go the way you are without any heat sinks or spreaders on your existing memory modules. And keep Macs Fan Control fan speeds set properly as you seem to have done already.




- Patrick
=======

 

[jasongoldworthy]

thanks guys for all the replies.

and yeah ive tested the slot with a good stick and its working with no issues so maybe the ram just died on its own accord ??

anyway its no issue and as for the OWC guys I did have there ram before I upgraded it and had no issues and that had no heatsinks with similar results on the temps.

so obviously ram just goes bad over time.

thanks guys for everything your star's on here for all the advice and help.

 

[pm-r]

so obviously ram just goes bad over time.

Apparently, it can do and various other reasons that can cause it to fail as well...

Causes of RAM failure
There are several factors that can contribute to RAM failure, such as physical damage, overheating, power surges, manufacturing defects, or incompatible or faulty modules. Physical damage can occur due to improper handling, installation, or removal of the RAM sticks, or due to dust, moisture, or static electricity.

What are the common signs and causes of RAM failure?

Learn the common signs and causes of RAM failure, and how to diagnose and fix it with memory testing tools and tips.

www.linkedin.com

I can't recall any memory modules going bad in any of my Macs over all the 30± years of using them so I would suggest it's not overly common, at least for Macs used normally. And I'm not saying yours weren't. ;-)




- Patrick
=======

 

[iggibar]

Looking at RAM temps without taking a reading of nearby temps is useless. Ram temps on a Mac Pro 2.1-5.1 are heavily affected by nearby components(like cpu for example). Also, the more ram you have, the higher the chance of one failing. Just statistics. Ram sticks fail all the time. They are consumable components that will degrade over time. Just replace it. There's no reason to get OCW ram...any ECC server ram will work, just make sure you have the proper rated speed for best performance. Don't think too much about it.