Removing the 8gb ram limit on 2009 mac pro

Combat squirrel · 29 Mar 2009 at 18:31

As title, you think someone will figure out how to do this ? clearly its an artificial limit in the computers EFI bios, and not a physical limitation, what would be best way to go about it ?

Why did they place the limit on it anyway ? stupid idea, also do you think they will ever officially remove it ?

Adrianr · 29 Mar 2009 at 19:05

I thought accepted rumour now was the 8gb and 16gb FB-Dimms work fine? They just cost as much as the computer? I presume it was just that though, rumour.

I doubt they will remove it. Otherwise it removes the decision to buy the Octo core for the expanded ram capability. If the 16GB dimms worked you could have a 48GB tri-channel machine, with a spare slot if you really needed 16GB more ram. I mean.. Really?!

Logsi · 29 Mar 2009 at 21:57

Does seem pretty stupid.

I'm pretty sure my 5 year old PowerMac Dual G5 can take 8GB max and that's really saying something!

FreeStream · 29 Mar 2009 at 22:30

Adrianr said:
I thought accepted rumour now was the 8gb and 16gb FB-Dimms work fine? They just cost as much as the computer? I presume it was just that though, rumour.

I doubt they will remove it. Otherwise it removes the decision to buy the Octo core for the expanded ram capability. If the 16GB dimms worked you could have a 48GB tri-channel machine, with a spare slot if you really needed 16GB more ram. I mean.. Really?!

Its not FB-DIMM. Its ECC DDR3 1066Mhz IIRC.

And there is a thread somewhere that shows that 16Gb works (IE 4Gb sticks).

Apple hasn't (in my experience) put an artificial limit over and above what the chipset limit is.

8 gb works in my gen MBP yet it only says it supports 4Gb!

FirebarUK · 29 Mar 2009 at 23:14

It's not a physical limit as you are suggesting. It's merely that 4GB DIMM's aren't supported by Apple.

Combat squirrel · 30 Mar 2009 at 07:55

Hmm interesting,so I take it there is only 4 ram slots? My ideal amount would be 12gb in 3x4gb for tri channel,so this would work? Also iv read somewhere you can use any ddr3 in it, even non EEC so long as all the ram is the same?

FreeStream · 30 Mar 2009 at 11:16

Combat squirrel said:
Hmm interesting,so I take it there is only 4 ram slots? My ideal amount would be 12gb in 3x4gb for tri channel,so this would work? Also iv read somewhere you can use any ddr3 in it, even non EEC so long as all the ram is the same?

Yes I believe so, and im really banking on this being the case.

Because next year im planning on putting a normal Core i7 in there with 6Gb of non ECC.

The chipset supports it, im just wondering if the Mac Pro will!

Karl · 30 Mar 2009 at 11:36

Why would you want 12gb of RAM?

I don't mean why do industry professionals need it, more why do you guys need it?

Feek · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:12

Because we can!

FreeStream · 30 Mar 2009 at 12:59

Karl said:
Why would you want 12gb of RAM?

I don't mean why do industry professionals need it, more why do you guys need it?

I don't need 12gb, 6 is more than enough

Combat squirrel · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:46

Concorde Rules said:
Yes I believe so, and im really banking on this being the case.

Because next year im planning on putting a normal Core i7 in there with 6Gb of non ECC.

The chipset supports it, im just wondering if the Mac Pro will!

Intersting I was more thinking if the xeon would support non EEC ,which I'm guessing it would, as I don't see intel making seperate silicon jus for xeon, I'd wanna keep the 2.66 and have 12gb as said,may order tomorrow

FirebarUK · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:57

Non-ECC works apparently.

Does the 2.66 quad have space for another processor, or is it a totally different board to that of the octo?

FreeStream · 30 Mar 2009 at 17:27

Combat squirrel said:
Intersting I was more thinking if the xeon would support non EEC ,which I'm guessing it would, as I don't see intel making seperate silicon jus for xeon, I'd wanna keep the 2.66 and have 12gb as said,may order tomorrow

Mines being prepared for shipment!

All the Xeons are is i7 + ECC support + 6.4Gb QP (the 2.66 i7 is 4.8Gb IIRC).

And we get a higher turbo boost multi (4x for single core, 3x for dual, 2x for tri core) from what i've read.

Im going to increase me fan speeds abit to get the most out of it

Combat squirrel · 30 Mar 2009 at 18:10

interesting ,whats the boost in terms of mhz? I think ill try non EEC ram in the machine to see if it will run, after you of course concorde

FreeStream · 30 Mar 2009 at 18:17

Combat squirrel said:
interesting ,whats the boost in terms of mhz? I think ill try non EEC ram in the machine to see if it will run, after you of course concorde

Hah!

Well the base clock is 133Mhz.

4 cores running: 20x multi = 2.66Ghz
3 cores running: 21x multi = 2.79Ghz
2 cores running: 22x multi = 2.93Ghz
1 core running: 23x multi = 3.03Ghz

Depending on temp, loading etc two cores could use the 23x multi etc.

I *think* thats how it works, im basing it off the fact the 2.93Ghz goes to 3.33 which is 4x more multiplier but seeing as I've been 'cheap' we might only get a 3x multi for 3.03Ghz in single core mode! Edit: Yes and im quite right it seems!

As for ECC memory, it'll be a while yet! The 3.2Ghz i7 is still double the price i'd like to pay for it.

On a side note, bad news! It seems the single CPU xeon I have in my mac pro is 4.8Ghz QPI and 1066Mhz compared to the 6.4 QPI and 1333 in the dual CPUs!!

Dam!

Combat squirrel · 31 Mar 2009 at 13:24

it's 5.86 according to intel website for that cpu?

FreeStream · 31 Mar 2009 at 13:26

Combat squirrel said:
it's 5.86 according to intel website for that cpu?

Not according to wiki :s

I shall dig some more!

Mines on the way and according to some could be here tomorrow! But im busy tomorrow so thursday would do for me

v0n · 31 Mar 2009 at 13:56

All new Macs are designed by someone who didn't understand what they were designing. Octo models have 8 memory slots for tri channel configuration, creating paradox where it's better to have 6Gb than 8Gb as 8Gb will considerably slower. Add PCIe slots limitations and £1000 extra price and you have got to ask why would anyone pick it over old octos (without limitations) at the moment. I think we'll see overhaul of the current lineup very soon. In the meantime, refurbished section on Apple Store has had Mac Pros for the past few nights, they below £1450, being added in the middle of the night and usually last about 20 minutes.

FreeStream · 31 Mar 2009 at 16:12

v0n said:
All new Macs are designed by someone who didn't understand what they were designing. Octo models have 8 memory slots for tri channel configuration, creating paradox where it's better to have 6Gb than 8Gb as 8Gb will considerably slower. Add PCIe slots limitations and £1000 extra price and you have got to ask why would anyone pick it over old octos (without limitations) at the moment. I think we'll see overhaul of the current lineup very soon. In the meantime, refurbished section on Apple Store has had Mac Pros for the past few nights, they below £1450, being added in the middle of the night and usually last about 20 minutes.

I bloody hope there isn't a refresh soon!

Why would they anyway? What would they change? Don't you think they would have put 6 slots in first time round? They arn't silly :confused:

I recon no updates until the 3.2Ghz becomes better priced and then the system will be shoved down a notch per ghz (IE 2.66 becomes a 2.93 for the same price!)

I'll put money on the next update being next year with the 32nm refresh of the i7 line!

Combat squirrel · 31 Mar 2009 at 17:44

Yeh I saw a 2.8ghz 8core on apples site a few times, and they always vanish before you can complete the payment process :eek:

they instantly get sold, SO annoying,lol

Anyways at this rate (iv been pondering it over more) I may end up getting the imac 3.06ghz