Memory Upgrade Guide for Early 2009 Mac Pro (24GB, 48GB)
Discover how to easily upgrade the memory in your early 2009 Mac Pro with used server memory.
Part 0 - Introduction ➜ • Apple Mac Pro 4.1 in 2018 - Still Wor...
Part 1 - Bluetooth ➜ • How to Fix Apple Mac Pro Bluetooth is...
Part 2 - High Sierra ➜ • How to install High Sierra on Apple M...
Part 3 - SATAIII SSD ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1 SATA III SSD Upgrade (OWC...
Part 4 - Radeon RX560 ➜ • GPU Upgrade for Early 2009 Mac Pro (R...
Part 5 - Memory ➜ • Memory Upgrade Guide for Early 2009 M...
Part 6 - CPU ➜ • Apple Mac Pro 4.1 CPU Upgrade Guide |...
Part 7 - macOS Mojave ➜ • macOS Mojave on old unsupported 2009 ...
Part 8 - Radeon RX580 ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1 and 5.1 GPU Upgrade for M...
Part 9 - NVMe SSD ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1 and 5.1 Bootable NVMe SSD...
Part 10 - Fan Replacement ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1 and 5.1 Fan Replacement w...
NEW *Part 11 - USB 3.0 Upgrade ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1 and 5.1 USB 3.0 Upgrade S...
NEW *Part 12 - NVMe Raid Card ➜ • Mac Pro 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1 NVMe Raid Ca...
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Parts used to upgrade my Mac Pro.
Tools-
Hey key on Amazon ➜ http://geni.us/wuTi
Thermal paste on Amazon ➜ https://geni.us/U7gB
ArctiClean on Amazon ➜ https://geni.us/7Lei934
USED-
MacPro 4.1 ➜ https://ebay.to/2k3MNKK
Xeon X5675 CPU 3.06GHz ➜ https://ebay.to/32jaEsG
Xeon X5690 CPU 3.46GHz ➜ https://ebay.to/2GF44oU
RAM 24GB 1333Mhz ➜ https://ebay.to/2O9iorr
RAM 48GB 1333Mhz ➜ https://ebay.to/2ly5cQh
NEW-
Bluetooth antenna on Amazon ➜ http://geni.us/ajdXyMo
Bluetooth cable on Amazon ➜ http://geni.us/VJIA71
SATA III card on Amazon ➜ http://geni.us/Dn7i
Samsung SSD on Amazon ➜ https://geni.us/7a2rK
Graphics card on Amazon ➜ http://geni.us/oDXp
Graphics power cable on Amazon ➜ https://geni.us/MRyCCD
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This tutorial applies for the Mac Pro 4.1, or even the 5.1, in my cases I am running a single CPU system, but the same principles apply to the dual CPU system.
Note that when buying used memory for your old Mac prices can vary, and some seller may try to “overcharge" you.
There is also the pitfall that you potentially order the wrong memory, for example, DDR 3 modules that only support 1066MHz.
Which would be fine if you only plan to use to old CPU that came with your system.
Personally, I recommend you search for “Samsung 3x 8GB 24GB DDR3 1333MHz ECC” or similar from another manufacturer.
Because most people will want to run a faster CPU, it makes sense to buy the faster memory as well.
Not also that the better CPUs such as Xeon X5675 can address more memory. For example up to 64GB for the single CPU, and up to 128GB for the dual CPU Mac Pros.
Keep in mind that this would be an extreme scenario of trying to max out your system, it is instead recommended to use only 3 RAM sticks on the single CPU, and 6 on the dual CPU system.
This is because the CPUs have an integrated memory controller that supports 3 memory channels.
I think you should not put in more than 3 memory sticks per CPU.
If you upgrade CPU and memory together the max memory bandwidth of your system should jump from 25GB/s to 32GB/s.
Note that the memory I picked up used, tends to get very warm, but according to Samsung that is well within specifications:
https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor...
If you look on page 21 you will see the memory can handle 85° Celsius (185° Fahrenheit) easily, which in fact it never gets anywhere close to that.
In my system, I have measured memory operating temperatures of around 38° Celsius (100° Fahrenheit).
This makes a lot of sense since the heat in a roomy Mac Pro case can dissipate much more easily.
In contrast in a flat server case that is rack mounted, all system components are “sandwiched in”, so heat has a harder time escaping the case. Hence why in a data center server fans have to run at super fast speeds to shuffle all the heat out.
A triple set of this old memory should cost around $100 dollars, meaning 3x 8GB modules. If you plan on using 3x 16GB modules expect to pay twice as much.
Sometimes one can also find new unused memory, but this does not have the silver cooling elements.
If you don’t mind paying a small premium, I can also recommend buying these newer modules.
I believe the model number is "M393B2G70BH0-CH9”, I put the link to the Samsung website below:
https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor...
Personally picked the older 24GB modules, but the newer ones look nice too, could be interesting for people who want to try putting in 48GB into there system, e.g. 3x 16GB modules, or even pushing it to 96GB if you are on the dual CPU system.
Having said that, not sure if one needs that much memory, maybe if your plan is 4K video editing. For me, it would be overkill since I only edit in 1080p, and 24GB of memory seem to be more than enough.
If you decide to put in more, please let me know your experience in the comments below!
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// This video does not include product placement. I got the product myself. //
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