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Demo: Upgrading the RAM in the 2019 Mac Pro After Purchase
Apple designed the Mac Pro to be modular and upgradeable, and it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD and the RAM.
We purchased a base model Mac Pro with the intention of upgrading the RAM after the fact using hardware from OWC, and in our latest YouTube video, we demo swapping out the RAM, which is a straightforward process, but still needs to be done carefully.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
The base model Mac Pro ships with 32GB 2933MHz RAM, but the machine supports up to 1.5TB and has a total of 12 DIMM slots. For the maximum amount of RAM, you do need the 24 or 28-core processors, as the 8, 12, and 16-core options are limited to 768GB of RAM.
Upgrading RAM can be done with other LR-DIMMs or R-DIMMs, but the different memory types can't be mixed with one another. Apple recommends Mac Pro owners make sure to use the same type of memory when installing additional DIMMs or replacing DIMMs.
Apple also recommends using Apple-approved DIMMs purchased by visiting an Apple retail store or an Apple Authorized Reseller, but Apple RAM is super expensive and most upgraders are likely going to want to go with something that saves some cash.
DIMMs can be installed in configurations of 4, 6, 8, or 12, and Apple has a visual aid on how different setups should work in its support document.
Swapping out or adding RAM to the Mac Pro requires the machine to be off, cool, and unplugged. Pulling off the outer aluminum casing is required, and then from there, the DIMM slots are accessible. Existing DIMMs can be accessed by unlocking the DIMM covers, sliding them open, and then using the DIMM ejectors to push it out of the slot.
Putting in new DIMMs can be done by adding a DIMM to an empty slot, seating it in place, and then making sure the DIMM ejectors click closed.
Apple has a very detailed support document that outlines replacing the RAM, and for Mac Pro owners, we recommend reading it thoroughly and following each of Apple's specific steps. Apple warns that causing damage by replacing components in the wrong way won't be covered under warranty, so it's best to use caution and be thorough when upgrading a part.
Apple has a bunch of support documents and tutorial videos dedicated to the Mac Pro, which we've rounded up. Apple covers everything from installing new RAM to swapping out GPU modules to replacing the power supply and I/O card.
We purchased a base model Mac Pro with the intention of upgrading the RAM after the fact using hardware from OWC, and in our latest YouTube video, we demo swapping out the RAM, which is a straightforward process, but still needs to be done carefully.
The base model Mac Pro ships with 32GB 2933MHz RAM, but the machine supports up to 1.5TB and has a total of 12 DIMM slots. For the maximum amount of RAM, you do need the 24 or 28-core processors, as the 8, 12, and 16-core options are limited to 768GB of RAM.
Upgrading RAM can be done with other LR-DIMMs or R-DIMMs, but the different memory types can't be mixed with one another. Apple recommends Mac Pro owners make sure to use the same type of memory when installing additional DIMMs or replacing DIMMs.
Apple also recommends using Apple-approved DIMMs purchased by visiting an Apple retail store or an Apple Authorized Reseller, but Apple RAM is super expensive and most upgraders are likely going to want to go with something that saves some cash.
DIMMs can be installed in configurations of 4, 6, 8, or 12, and Apple has a visual aid on how different setups should work in its support document.
Swapping out or adding RAM to the Mac Pro requires the machine to be off, cool, and unplugged. Pulling off the outer aluminum casing is required, and then from there, the DIMM slots are accessible. Existing DIMMs can be accessed by unlocking the DIMM covers, sliding them open, and then using the DIMM ejectors to push it out of the slot.
Putting in new DIMMs can be done by adding a DIMM to an empty slot, seating it in place, and then making sure the DIMM ejectors click closed.
Apple has a very detailed support document that outlines replacing the RAM, and for Mac Pro owners, we recommend reading it thoroughly and following each of Apple's specific steps. Apple warns that causing damage by replacing components in the wrong way won't be covered under warranty, so it's best to use caution and be thorough when upgrading a part.
Apple has a bunch of support documents and tutorial videos dedicated to the Mac Pro, which we've rounded up. Apple covers everything from installing new RAM to swapping out GPU modules to replacing the power supply and I/O card.
Related Roundup: Mac Pro
Buyer's Guide: Mac Pro (Buy Now)
[ 76 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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5 weeks ago
Only a matter of time before that OWC RAM fails.
5 weeks ago
the 8, 12, and 16-core options are limited to 768GB of RAM.
We truly live in wondrous times.
5 weeks ago
It's misleading to state "it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD".
Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!
Watching the RAM replacement makes me long for the days I could do that in all of my Macs (and everyone else's Macs as many people came to me for help; I used to work at a Mac Certified Reseller). Ah yes, those heady days of failed chips, troubleshooting, broken connectors and locks, damaged shielding, the "honestly it came that way I didn't break it". You honestly haven't lived until you have experienced the "death by a 1000 cuts" as you tried to replace RAM in the 8500/9500 series; I know some of you will remember. Still, despite the pains that were sometimes incurred there was huge value in buying what I could afford now and upgrading when I could afford more later. Bring on more videos like this, MR, so I can live vicariously.
5 weeks ago
It's misleading to state "it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD".
Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!
From apple itself:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210556[/URL]
"
SSD
Mac Pro supports up to two solid-state drive (SSD) modules. If you need to remove and replace the SSD modules, contact Apple ('https://support.apple.com/contact') or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. ('https://locate.apple.com/')
"
Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!
From apple itself:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210556[/URL]
"
SSD
Mac Pro supports up to two solid-state drive (SSD) modules. If you need to remove and replace the SSD modules, contact Apple ('https://support.apple.com/contact') or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. ('https://locate.apple.com/')
"
5 weeks ago
Is there any reason not to also install the 32 GB that came with the machine anyway? There's 12 slots. Apple's document at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210405 mentions "Use the same size memory modules across all slots to maximize performance", might be a good idea to benchmark this 512 GB, and '512 GB + 32 Gb' configurations?
I am totally out of the loop in that I've never bought a Mac Pro ever since Apple went Intel, the last PowerMac I had was a G4 (I'm carbon dating myself here ;)), my G3 and G4 powermacs never cared about different size DIMMS, I'd happily run 64 MB (not GB...) and 128 MB and 256 MB together...
The following is not based on knowledge of the specific architecture of the Mac Pro, but general computer knowledge. Disclaimer over.
These CPUs support hex-channel memory. This means that the CPU will have six channels of communication to the memory. This can only be achieved if 6 or 12 slots are populated, so the CPU has either 1 or 2 DIMMs per communication channel. If 4 or 8 are populated it'll run in quad-channel mode.
Let's pretend we populate 8 slots with 64GB sticks, and 4 with 8GB sticks. If we put 1GB of data in each DIMM and try and access all that data, all at once, this will actually be faster than if we had only the 8 64GB DIMMs, since we can access the 1GB of data on 6 DIMMs simultaneously, versus putting the same amount of data on only 4 communication lines.
However, if we load up all the memory modules to the brim, the larger memory modules will obviously be used much more than the smaller modules when accessing all the data, since they just hold a larger percentage of it. This means the communication lines will be used unevenly and it won't scale the speed of communication as well. It in most any situation won't be slower than the case with only the 8, should in fact be faster, but not as fast as fully spreading the load across all 6 channels with evenly sized modules.
The very worst case would be having a single huge module and 5 tiny ones. Since almost all data would be stored just on the huge one, and not so much on the five smaller ones, communication from the CPU would almost effectively become single channel. - The point is more that if you want 256GB of memory, it is better performance wise to get it in 6 or 12 evenly sized modules, than it is to get a few huge ones and load the remaining with small ones, so they all can give and receive data simultaneously
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Only if you want to install DIMMs in the correct configuration.
On the back of the memory cover the diagram of configurations is shown :)
5 weeks ago
[LIST=1]
* Apple historically rapes everyone on RAM prices. Theirs is not special. They use the same chips as everyone else - SKHynix, Elpida, Micron, etc.
* Apple SSDs are upgradeable, but tied to that obnoxious T2 chip. However, you can install insane amounts of SSD storage via PCIe slots, and even spinning hard drives with a mounting kit attaching to the internal SATA ports, or externally via Thunderbolt.
* The Mac Pro supports 6-channel RAM. This is a function of Intel's Xeon CPUs. That's why when we buy RAM for our workstations (which happen to be Dell because Apple wasn't making any previously) we do things like buy 6 sticks of 32GB instead of 4 sticks of 64GB. The amount is close, and the performance is better. This is not really a mystery, just Google it to learn more.
* Apple historically rapes everyone on RAM prices. Theirs is not special. They use the same chips as everyone else - SKHynix, Elpida, Micron, etc.
* Apple SSDs are upgradeable, but tied to that obnoxious T2 chip. However, you can install insane amounts of SSD storage via PCIe slots, and even spinning hard drives with a mounting kit attaching to the internal SATA ports, or externally via Thunderbolt.
* The Mac Pro supports 6-channel RAM. This is a function of Intel's Xeon CPUs. That's why when we buy RAM for our workstations (which happen to be Dell because Apple wasn't making any previously) we do things like buy 6 sticks of 32GB instead of 4 sticks of 64GB. The amount is close, and the performance is better. This is not really a mystery, just Google it to learn more.
5 weeks ago
It’s actually funny how much more their ram costs. Could anyone explain or is this just as ridiculous as I’m thinking?
5 weeks ago
It's misleading to state "it's possible to upgrade components that include the SSD".
Apple tied the SSD to the T2 chip and to reset that, you need Apple's help!
From apple itself:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210556[/URL]
"
SSD
Mac Pro supports up to two solid-state drive (SSD) modules. If you need to remove and replace the SSD modules, contact Apple ('https://support.apple.com/contact') or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. ('https://locate.apple.com/')
"
Seems reasonable. Especially since NVMe cards from other vendors (with built-in PCIe controllers) are not compatible with the two factory SSD slots.
Also... One can add their own NVMe SSDs vie PCIe expansion cards.
[ Read All Comments ]
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