Setup New MacPro with Default RAM or OWC Purchased RAM?

[Paul Escandon]

I would recommend first setting up your system with the stock RAM and then when you’ve made sure everything is running correctly you should then install your OWC Ram. This is exactly what I did when I set up my system a few months ago.

Also, if you go and sell your ram on eBay like I did (I had no use for it), you can at least be certain that it’s not faulty.

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Paul Escandon – Lead Editor @ Outdoor Channel
Producer | Director – Oremus Productions
oremusproductions.com | blog
Apple Certified Trainer – Final Cut Pro
Adjunct Professor of Media – JPCU
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MacPro Quad-core XEON
8Gb ram, ATI Radeon X1900 XT, 2TB internal RAID
2 20″ Dell UltraSharps + Matrox MXO & 23″ ACD

[Aaron Neitz]

I trust OWC enough just to put in fresh when your computer arrives. But definitely hold onto the Apple RAM for a time in case there are problems… Also Apple is a little pain-in-the-ass when you need warranty repair and have non-Apple RAM

[Steve Eisen]

OWC will give give you a rebate on your original RAM. Go to their website to find the rebate form.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[Cory Mckechnie]

Hmm, I’m a little iffy about trading in the old RAM to be honest. I’ve heard Apple can be a bit picky about having other than their RAM installed for problems, so I think i’ll hold onto it, just in case.
Cory

[Cory Mckechnie]

OK, that was my inclination so I think i’ll probably go that way. And as you say (not that i’m going to sell it) at least i’ll know it WAS working if I encounter problems. Alright, that’s my decision made.
Thanks,
Cory

[Ben Holmes]

Have a look at http://www.barefeats.com for their own analysis of OWC RAM and what you should do with your Apple RAM – you’d need a couple more 1Gb sticks if you wanted to leave it in, although I know that’s not what you’re suggesting.

As far as worries about fitting OWC RAM, it’s not a real big concern. Apple only give a spec for RAM that can be installed, and the OWC RAM meets it – in fact as barefeats point out, the cooling fins are actually BETTER on the OWC RAM. So you’re covered as far as problems go. Memory rarely fails, and a quick search here will show you that OWC is pretty well considered for pro work. So sell or keep your Apple RAM – I’d keep it ‘cos it sure ain’t worth much these days…

Ben

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[Cory Mckechnie]

[Ben Holmes] “Have a look at http://www.barefeats.com for their own analysis of OWC RAM and what you should do with your Apple RAM – you’d need a couple more 1Gb sticks if you wanted to leave it in, although I know that’s not what you’re suggesting.”

Thanks Ben, very interesting article. I thought briefly about picking up a pair of 1GB sticks to pair with the installed RAM, but I figure at some point down the road I’d like to go to 16GB, so I’d rather save the money now and put it towards other needed items (I picked up a 750GB Seagate Barracuda with the savings 🙂
Cory