Hi. I'm no new to Mac, using those during the 90's up to G3/G4 but that was yesterday.
I'm not familiar with the new and latest Intel-based desktop MacPro.
I need to know if using a MacPro, do MacPro desktop using server RAM?

If I'm not mistaken and correct me if I'm wrong,
DMP is using PC3500 DDR2 667 ECC registered or FBDIMM or a better word: Server RAM. True or not?

Any differences between:
PC5300 DDR2 667 compared with DDR2 667 ECC Registered RAM in terms of performance and price?

Or can I use the Non ECC with DMP? or not at all?

If there's a difference, where can I get it in Lowyat and if anyone know, what's the price?

What about the previous version of DMP, is it using the same RAM? (before Intel-based was introduced)


Please explain to me. Thanks.

This post has been edited by hatosan: Dec 3 2007, 06:07 AM

AFAIK FB-DIMM RAM is ECC only. The Mac Pro uses Xeons and are definitely ECC only according to Apple's specs.

If the RAM is not labelled ECC you probably won't be able to physically plug it in.

Yes, MacPro utilizes ECC Ram... but they are not any normal ECC memory...they have some fairly big chunk of heatsink being clipped to the memory..

if you choose to get normal third party ECC memory.. it will most probably kernel panic..i tried it last time with some server memory i borrowed from a friend...i only tried starting it one time and it did not even managed to boot up to OS properly...luckily it did not kill the memory riser cards...


you should look for the Kingston 3rd party made for MacPros...i think this is around less than RM1k for 2 x 1GB...

Kingston MacPro Memory

So, it is true then. Using DMP requires you using server RAM and apparently it's quite expensive here in Malaysia. No for the normal DDR2, the incompatibility issues that meant for normal use. My alternative is buying 3rd party that you've mentioned, maybe Kingston should be adequate, if I can find one.

Thanks for your comments. I'll look into it and will decide what's bests and suits for my needs.

basically i think there is no choice for you at all.. Kingston is the only way to go for now except for custom ordering your machine on purchase... this requires several weeks in delivery time if i am not wrong...


and don't think of strapping some fancy heatsink on normal ECC momory and make it work... i did that on the previous post that i told you.. i just forgot to mentioned the detail... it does not work... i read that it is something related to heat as the memory riser card has a heat sensor onboard and if the memory heats past a certain range... the board will cease to function...not sure if i am correct...

I believe there are choices if you intend to look for them. Custom ordering, you'll probably get Nanya or Hynix chipsets, depending on your luck....

There are lots of other online portals where you can find some Mac Pro rams at a decent price. I'm happy to have gotten some from OWC, (I'll let whoever's interested to dig into that). And they're pretty cheap too compared to Kingston's which I've obtained locally, not to mention it runs cooler.

As mentioned above, I've also got Kingston KTAs of which it ain't that good; even though the memory works fine, it failed to register temperatures on Hardware Monitor, however it is a known issue to certain batches of those modules.

As for strapping some fancy heatsinks, i'll let the guy who knows best to explain things.... if he stumbles upon this thread...

This post has been edited by Eithanius: Dec 3 2007, 08:24 PM

yes i agree with you... might not be the best.. but it is the only few choices available locally right...

isn't OtherWorldComputing an international site... how do they deal with warranties in case there is defects? just curious to find out...you gotten the certified ones or the apple qualified ones... i think there is quite some difference on both the momory pricings...