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September 1, 2006

hardware

Third party Mac Pro RAM brings in the noise?

Posted Sep. 1, ’06, 2:24 PM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Hardware

FBDIMMs.jpgWe know bad RAM can lead to a number of problems: crashes, bizarre behavior, data corruption, but extra noise? Really? Well, according to a tech note from Apple, that’s the case on the Mac Pro.

The new RAM spec that Apple began using in its professional-level tower is called FB (Fully Buffered) DIMMs. They’re a pretty scary piece of equipment: with heat sinks attached to both sides they look more like PCI cards than RAM. And they’re hard to get a hold of. The only company besides Apple from which you can acquire FB DIMMs is Other World Computing—either way, it’s a pretty pricey upgrade.

But according to Apple, third party RAM could cause your computer to run louder. I’ll let them explain by way of this knowledge base article:

Apple FB DIMMs have an accurate, integral thermal sensor that aids in tracking thermal requirements and therefore optimizing acoustical performance. The fully buffered DIMMs give the best system performance and fan speeds have been optimized for the quietest system operation.
Apple FB DIMMs have an accurate, integral thermal sensor that aids in tracking thermal requirements and therefore optimizing acoustical performance. The fully buffered DIMMs give the best system performance and fan speeds have been optimized for the quietest system operation.Any of our users installed third party FB DIMMs in their Mac Pros and noticed a difference? Or is this just Apple blowing hot air?

[via MacFixIt]


4 Comments

Dan--the man said:

Wait, only Other World Computing?

When I search newegg for FB-DIMM Crucial, Kingston, and Supermicro show up with there own FB-DIMMs.

"FB-DIMM " results on Newegg.

September 1, 2006 6:43 PM
Dan--the man said:

Whoops, Supermicro only makes motherboards that support FB-DIMM.

September 1, 2006 6:44 PM
Derik Author Profile Page said:

I actually ordered RAM from Crucial, which according to what I've read, looks identical to Apple's RAM, right down the heat sinks. They should arrive Tuesday and I'll report in once I've got it installed.

September 1, 2006 7:49 PM
Griffin said:

xlr8yourmac has a page dealing with user experiences with 3rd party ram for the mac pro. (No affiliation with them - I just want to find some add-on ram without paying through the nose).

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/Mac_Pro/mac_pro_ram.html#storytop

September 1, 2006 9:46 PM

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