How much RAM for PT Native on Mac Pro 8 Core 2.26?

[JoeM]

Finally replacing my old 001 and just purchased a 2009 8 Core 2.26 Mac Pro. Looking to get PT Native with an Omni I/O and a UAD-2 QUAD NEVE. Stock MP has 6 1GB sticks of RAM now. I was thinking of purchasing 2 4GB sticks, bringing total RAM to 14 GB.

Will that be ok for this system? TIA

[Firechild]

That will be ok, but you have to use plugins which use the "memory server technology", for example Kontakt 4.
That´s a feature which holds the plugin RAM outside Pro Tools, otherwise you are stuck to the 32 bit RAM limit of approx 3.2 Gb.
With the Memory server you can use all your 14 Gb of RAM.

[Jack Ruston]

Intetesting...So which plug ins use that approach?

I've just bought a dual 2.4 8 core with the stock 6gb ram. I haven't used it yet because I'm waiting for a card to arrive. How many spare slots do I have for RAM then? What can I add cost effectively?

Thanks

Jack

[JoeM]

You'll also have 8 slots in the newer 2.4 8 core so you have 2 free slots if you keep the 6 GB of RAM that comes with it.

[Firechild]

Originally Posted by JoeM

You'll also have 8 slots in the newer 2.4 8 core so you have 2 free slots if you keep the 6 GB of RAM that comes with it.

Correct but to optimize performance you should install in tripples 3+3 RAM modules in current MacPro´s. I don´t know the performance difference in real life though...

[Bill Denton]

Correct but to optimize performance you should install in tripples 3+3 RAM modules in current MacPro´s.

Urban legend, or does apple not know this "secret"?

From the Mac Pro customization page...

6GB (6X1GB)
8GB (4X2GB) [Add $150.00]
12GB (6X2GB) [Add $450.00]
16GB (8x2GB) [Add $750.00]
24GB (6X4GB) [Add $2,550.00]
32GB (8x4GB) [Add $3,550.00]

Half of the options are not "threes"...

Now I'm not a Mac guy, but I believe what "threes" you do find in there are more the result of memory prices than of some performance benefit...

[taylorbatchelor]

Originally Posted by Bill Denton

[B]
Now I'm not a Mac guy, but I believe what "threes" you do find in there are more the result of memory prices than of some performance benefit...

It's not Mac specific but processor architecture specific. You used to buy in pairs because processors had 2 channels through which to access memory but with advances in processor design and software complexity, demand for access to resources has gone up. A lot of dual channel memory can still keep up just fine with the newest stuff but a triple channel system will perform more efficiently for the time being; eventually we'll want quad channel memory and so on and so on.

[JoeM]

Originally Posted by Bill Denton

Correct but to optimize performance you should install in tripples 3+3 RAM modules in current MacPro´s.

Now I'm not a Mac guy, but I believe what "threes" you do find in there are more the result of memory prices than of some performance benefit...

Here's a good article that explains and discusses it:
http://digitalcontentproducer.com/af...y_trials_0713/