Mac Pro (8-core) [#2]: Some quad-core Mac Pro memory will work with 8-core system
Despite earlier assertions, some quad-core Mac Pro memory will work in the new 8-core systems.
[published Wednesday, April 12th]
Though Apple states in Knowledge Base document #305352 that memory and hard drives shipped with and for the quad-core Mac Pro are not forward-compatible with the 8-core Mac Pro, several users have found that the some RAM sold as quad-core-compatible works well in the 8-core Mac Pro.
MacFixIt reader Rob Morgan of Bare Feats writes:
"I was told by a memory manufacturer that the specs for the Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) chip on each DIMM have become more strict. Some existing memory being sold for 4-core Mac Pros will work fine because they used high quality AMBs. We've tested both OWC and TransIntl memory in our 8-core. Both work fine."
If you are considering purchasing RAM for an 8-core Mac Pro from a third-party memory vendor, ensure that the company has expressed support for the newer systems in writing.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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