How do you upgrade the RAM in the "2019" Mac Pro? How much RAM of what type and speed does it actually support?

Please note that this Q&A explains how to upgrade the RAM in the "2019" Tower and Rack-Mount Mac Pro models (A1991/A2304, MacPro7,1).

Upgrading the RAM in the "2019" Mac Pro models is a straightforward procedure. However, there are some important differences between memory supported by different models, which based on email received, can be confusing to some users. There also are differences between official and unofficial capacity that are important to know, as well.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. ("2019" Mac Pro with Cover Removed)

Identification Help

At the moment, the "2019" Mac Pro models are distinctive, but subsequent models may look similar and more specific information for identification purposes can be helpful.

Accordingly, for the purpose of upgrading the RAM, the "2019" Mac Pro models in tower cases can be collectively identified by the A1991 Model Number and 3203 EMC Number and those in rack-mountable cases can be collectively identified by the A2304 Model Number and 3413 EMC Number. They also all can be collectively identified by the Model Identifier in software.

To locate the model identifier, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on the computer, click the "More Info..." button, and click the "System Report" button. Regardless of the case type, all "2019" Mac Pro models share model identifier MacPro7,1.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's exhaustive Mac Identification section.

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.

Official RAM Information

Apple specifies that the "2019" Mac Pro models have a whopping twelve user accessible RAM slots.

More precisely, Apple details that RAM for the "2019" Mac Pro models must meet these specifications:

• 2933 MHz DDR4 full-length DIMM. Mixing memory speeds is not recommended.
• Error-correcting code (ECC)
• 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB DIMMs
• Registered (R-DIMM) or Load-Reduced DIMM (LR-DIMM). Do not mix R-DIMMs and LR-DIMMs.
• 288-pin
• Use the same size memory modules across all slots to maximize performance.
• DIMMs with heatsinks are not supported and may damage the DIMM mechanism.

Also note that you can install paired R-DIMMs of different capacities (like four 8 GB R-DIMMs and two 16 GB R-DIMMs), but LR-DIMMs all need to be the same capacity (six 128 GB LR-DIMMs, for example).

There is one significant RAM support difference between the entry-level Mac Pro "Eight Core" 3.5 (2019) model and higher-end models and that is that the standard configuration supports compatible RAM at a minimum speed of 2666 MHz. By default, Apple ships this model with 2933 MHz memory installed, but it operates at the slower 2666 MHz speed.

Perhaps overlooking the word minimum, one reader sent an angry rant that EveryMac.com was "completely wrong" about the minimum supported RAM in the 8-core "2019" Mac Pro because his system arrived with 2933 MHz memory. The minimum RAM standard (2666 MHz) and what ships from Apple by default (2933 MHz) are different, but it makes no difference in the RAM's operational speed (2666 MHz) in the 8-core model.

Officially, Apple reports the following maximum RAM capacity and speed details for the "2019" Mac Pro models:

"2019" Mac Pro	Official Max Capacity	Speed
8-Core	768 GB	2666 MHz
12-Core	768 GB	2933 MHz
16-Core	768 GB	2933 MHz
24-Core	1.5 TB	2933 MHz
28-Core	1.5 TB	2933 MHz

By default, the "2019" Mac Pro is configured with 32 GB of RAM installed as four 8 GB DIMMs (and with eight empty RAM slots).

Actual Maximum RAM

As noted above, the official maximum RAM capacity for the "2019" Mac Pro models is 768 GB in the 8-core, 12-core, and 16-core configurations and 1.5 TB in the 24-core and 28-core configurations.

However, site sponsor Other World Computing quickly determined that the 8-core, 12-core, and 16-core "2019" Mac Pro configurations can actually support as much as 1 TB of RAM using eight compatible 128 GB, 2933 MHz DDR4 PC4-23400 LR-DIMM modules.

RAM Upgrade Instructions

Apple provides detailed installation instructions, complete with drawings, and these should be reviewed prior to upgrading the memory in your "2019" Mac Pro.

The company provides an official video, as well:

OWC also provides a helpful step-by-step video of the upgrade process:

From watching the above videos, it is quite apparent that upgrading or replacing the RAM in the "2019" Mac Pro models is simple. However, if you do not feel comfortable upgrading the RAM yourself -- or simply do not have the time to do so -- professional installation never is a bad idea.

"2019" Mac Pro RAM Purchase Options

Just because RAM meets the minimum listed specifications does not mean that it will necessarily function properly, or even work at all, in your Mac Pro. Be sure to buy from a quality vendor that has tested their RAM with each Mac model to ensure complete compatibility.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory compatible with the "2019" Mac Pro as well as all other Macs.

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells "2019" Mac Pro compatible memory with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells quality memory for all Mac Pro models with affordable delivery country-wide and in person pick up and professional installation service available in Munich.

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