Lots of small RAM chips or a few large ones

Paul P · 11-22-2012, 02:56 AM

Hello all,

I'm curious to know if anyone can confirm performance, speed and stability pros and cons of small v large RAM chips ?

I just purchased a used Mac Pro 3.1 with 12 GB RAM. There are 4 x 1GB chips and 4 x 2GB chips, making the 12GB total. If I had (for example) an 8GB chip and a 4GB chip, would this make the computer faster, more stable etc. ? Would it affect certain tasks more than others (e.g web surfing, photo real arch viz rendering etc. ?

Many thanks in advance.

benwiggy · 11-22-2012, 05:21 AM

I suspect that the difference, if it exists, is likely to be negligible for most real-world uses.

acme.mail.order · 11-22-2012, 05:37 AM

This is why we have specifications. If the memory module ("chips" are the bits of plastic attached to the board) meets the specifications, then it doesn't matter how it is made.

What will make a difference is the arrangement. Matched pairs of memory will perform better than mismatched pairs, e.g. put all the 2Gb modules together.

DeltaMac · 11-22-2012, 11:23 AM

I don't think that 8GB RAM cards will work in that model.
Max for each slot would be 4GB, so with 8 slots, will give you a maximum of 32GB.
Finally - a 4GB and an 8GB chip won't work (even if the 8GB was recognized), because the RAM must be installed in matched pairs.

Paul P · 11-23-2012, 04:30 PM

Thanks to benwiggy, acme.mail.order and DeltaMac. I appreciate you all taking the time out to reply.

@acme.mail.order - thanks for the tip. Memory modules it is.

@DeltaMac - that's good to know.

Cheers

11-22-2012, 02:56 AM	#1
Paul P Triple-A Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 94	Lots of small RAM chips or a few large ones Hello all, I'm curious to know if anyone can confirm performance, speed and stability pros and cons of small v large RAM chips ? I just purchased a used Mac Pro 3.1 with 12 GB RAM. There are 4 x 1GB chips and 4 x 2GB chips, making the 12GB total. If I had (for example) an 8GB chip and a 4GB chip, would this make the computer faster, more stable etc. ? Would it affect certain tasks more than others (e.g web surfing, photo real arch viz rendering etc. ? Many thanks in advance.

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11-22-2012, 05:21 AM	#2
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,040	I suspect that the difference, if it exists, is likely to be negligible for most real-world uses.

11-22-2012, 05:37 AM	#3
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,046	This is why we have specifications. If the memory module ("chips" are the bits of plastic attached to the board) meets the specifications, then it doesn't matter how it is made. What will make a difference is the arrangement. Matched pairs of memory will perform better than mismatched pairs, e.g. put all the 2Gb modules together.

11-22-2012, 11:23 AM	#4
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,960	I don't think that 8GB RAM cards will work in that model. Max for each slot would be 4GB, so with 8 slots, will give you a maximum of 32GB. Finally - a 4GB and an 8GB chip won't work (even if the 8GB was recognized), because the RAM must be installed in matched pairs.

11-23-2012, 04:30 PM	#5
Paul P Triple-A Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 94	Thanks to benwiggy, acme.mail.order and DeltaMac. I appreciate you all taking the time out to reply. @acme.mail.order - thanks for the tip. Memory modules it is. @DeltaMac - that's good to know. Cheers