New Mac Pro 2019 RAM Install
Posted by Stefan Petit on
We got our hands on the new Mac Pro and started modifying it for one of our customers. It's such a beautiful machine, all the way from the packaging, down to the handle design. We were careful not to even smudge the chrome frame/handles, so we put on our white gloves and got to work.
Take note that you can install LR-DIMMs or R-DIMMs, but we cant mix the two types. This will be important to keep in mind if you ever add or swap out existing sticks in your Mac Pro.
The Mac Pro has a baseline of 32GB RAM (4x8GB), and can go up to 768GB of DDR4 with the 8, 12, or 16-core processor. If you have the 24 or 28-core processor, you can even go up to 1.5TB of RAM! Our client just needed 96GB, so we put in six 16GB DIMMs. When choosing your RAM config, you’ll want to decide on the amount of sticks to use. The Mac Pro supports up to 12 DIMMs, in either a 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 arrangement. The 12 slots split into 2 housing sections, of 6 slots each. You’ll essentially want an even amount of RAM of more than two DIMMs. We can, however, install RAM of mixed capacities using only R-DIMMs.
Apple has a nice and clear outline of how to arrange you RAM sticks:
4 DIMMs: Use slots 3, 5, 8, 10.
6 DIMMs: Use slots 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12.
8 DIMMs: Use slots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
10 DIMMs: Use slots 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12.
12 DIMMs: Use all the slots!
So for our six DIMMs of 96GB, we put 3 sticks in each section, slots 1,3,5 and 8,10,12. If we had mixed capacities, we’d base our arrangement off designated channels in pairs of 2, as long as they fit within Apples supported configurations.
After replacing the RAM housing covers and outer Mac Pro housing case, we just need to verify the RAM. Just select the Apple menu, then About This Mac, and then select the Memory tab. If done correctly, you should see a graphic of the RAM config with green check marks by each occupied slot!
Installing the RAM was much easier than we expected, Apple does a wonderful job of explaining and showing exactly what to do. The hardest bit was finally parting with the Mac Pro and not being able to keep it!
___________
To find out more about Apple's RAM configurations, check their site here.
Purchase a Mac Pro today!