Third Party RAM Design and Risk

So with the Mac Pro out, my preferred RAM source, OWC (aka MacSales) stocked up on day one.
OWC Mac Pro RAM Upgrades
(Note the heat sink design)
I thought "Great, they already have RAM for it, so when I eventually get one I wont have to pay the enormous amount Apple charges for some reason." But then I saw this little note on the the online Apple Store:
Please note: Apple created a more robust thermal specification for the Mac Pro FB-DIMM heat sinks that provide more efficient cooling than many other FB-DIMMs. These FB-DIMMs require less airflow to stay cool and allow the internal fans to spin at slower speeds, improving system acoustics. FB-DIMMs made by other manufacturers that do not include a sufficient heat sink may cause the fans to run faster (and louder) or the memory chips to run slower so as not to overheat.
And you can see what they mean by that.
So are they saying that an FB-DIMM without a heat sink or one good enough is not approved, or that their design is most likely the only that will work well? Compare the two heat sink designs and imagine the airflow on them.
On top of all this, Apple in general frowns upon third party RAM. When I told them my lower RAM slot has become defective, as soon as I told them the RAM was not directly from Apple, I was put in a "no sympathy bin".
All in all, where should current and prospective Mac Pro buyers get for their RAM?

Well, does this mean that we are better off only getting RAM from Apple for now until the third parties can extensively prove they are worthy?
Yes and no. What I would suggest that you do, and what I have done, is to buy the minimum RAM you can get away with from Apple and then wait for the 3rd parties for the rest. Fortunately for me that was 2GB so that's what I ordered. Given I've ordered both Airport and the ATI X1900XT I have probably 4+ weeks to change that if the 3rd parties come good in time (within 2 weeks or so). Either way though I'm not really bothered as I'll probably end up going to 4GB with all 512MB FB-DIMMs.
At some point the 3rd parties will get their heatsinks right and we'll all be in business… that you can be sure of.
The response from both Crucial and Kingston, by pulling their product, is the perfect example of why you go with the big guys and the properly rated RAM. Buying by spec alone like many do doesn't always work out as in this case.

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Third-party RAM versus Apple RAM

Hey everyone,
Excuse me if this has been answered before, I did a search and didn't really find what I was looking for.
I'm about to buy a new MBP and I would like to know how people think the quality of third-party RAM (Crucial and the like) fares against the quality of Apple RAM. As I know all of you know, I would save a couple hundred dollars going with a third-party vendor. But, almost everyone I've spoken with has told me that with RAM you "get what you pay for." Well, can anyone be more specific? What is so much better about the Apple RAM, if indeed it is that much better?
Thanks!
Ian

I've just done exactly the same - new MBP with 2Gb and then bought a 4Gb kit for £50 (about $100) from Crucial. Fitted in 5 minutes, all working well. Saved around £200 ($400) against buying a 4Gb unit and still have 2 x 1Gb spare for 'future use' somewhere...
I've always bought 3rd party RAM for my 10+ PCs over the years, never had any issue at all. Apple don't make their own memory - they buy in the chips just like everyone else.
I love my Macs, but the obscene markup they place on RAM to catch those who are not comfortable with taking a few screws out of the Mac does irritate me.

Logic board and third party ram upgrade on Macbook

I bought a new macbook about a month ago and the only change i made to it was to install third party ram myself. The logic board broke on Friday. Apple was kind of enough to replace the logicboard for free even though I had third party ram in there which they said violated the warranty. I called other world computing where I bought the ram and they said there was no way the ram could be the cause of the logicboard failure even if I installed the ram wrong. Is this true?
My real question is what do I do now for upgrading my ram. Do I buy mac ram and pay the extra money or can I use third party ram and not have to worry about it causing damage to my system? Whatever the resolution I don't want to void the warranty in any way.

*"which they said violated the warranty."*
What they told you there is a load of crap. Installing RAM does not void the warranty. Even the RAM that Apple installs is from a third party.
*"can I use third party ram and not have to worry about it causing damage to my system?"*
Yes

What third party RAM is equal to "1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x8GB" for the NEW, 27" 2014 4K iMAC and is it advisable to buy instead of the Apple upgraded RAM?

What third party RAM is as good as the "1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x8GB" upgrade that Apple offers for the NEW, 27" 2014 5K iMAC Retina?
And is it advisable to buy instead of the Apple upgraded RAM? (my understanding is that third party RAM is not as costly).

go with one of the quality sources for ram OWC and Crucial are very well thought of
your options with the 5K when you buy it are
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x8GB [Add $200.00]
32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x8GB [Add $600.00]
you might want to go with the 16GB option when you buy if you know you might want to go to 32GB some day as that will get you to 32zb at the lowest cost. or you can start with the 8 and add 8GB sticks as you need them but if you are not happy stopping at 20GB you will end up with a pair of 4GB sticks to try to sell on ebay... or if you are lazy like me you get a couple of extra xmas tree ornaments.. i have 35 years of ram methods on my tree now dating back to the extra ram for my Apple ][ extra 8k and not a few obsolete processor ornaments too... dress em up with glitter so they sparkle
this is the owc page for ram for the 5k iMachttp://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/Retina-5K/DDR3L
8.0GB PC3-12800 1600MHz SO Kit (4GB x 2) w/Lifetime Warranty
Same Day
$99.79
12.0GB PC3-12800 1600MHz SO Kit (4GB + 8GB) w/Lifetime Warranty
Same Day
$147.50
16GB PC3-12800 1600MHz SO Kit (8GB x 2) w/Lifetime Warranty
Same Day
$197.99
32GB PC3-12800 1600MHz SO Kit (8GB x 4) w/Lifetime Warranty
Same Day
$395.00

Third Party RAM from DMS

Hello,
I have been reading all the threads about third party RAM and was checking to see if anyone has had any luck with the 8GB kit from Data Memory Systems. I have had good luck with RAM from them in the past, but the Mac Pro stuff sounds like a whole new barrel of monkeys.
This is what I have been looking at:
8GB Kit (4 x 2GB) DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) CL5 1.8v 240 Pin ECC FBDIMM (FullyBuffered) Apple Approved
DDR2 667MHz fully-buffered ECC Memory w/ Apple Approved Heat Sink
This kit consists of four 2GB FBDIMMs.
NOTE: For Apple users. These FBDIMMs use an Apple Approved Heat Sink manufactuered by Netlist. They have been tested and Approved by Apple.
It sounds good to me, but I thought I would see if anyone has had recent experience with it before I shell out the 1800 bucks.
Thanks!
MacPro 2.66 4 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Every day or two I am seeing ECC correctable errors (2) from one of the OWC 1GB DIMMs.
With today's prices and how this is 'new territory' for most of these vendors, FBDIMMs being a small market, that while OWC's look very similar and nicely constructed - they may not be. But OWC is so close that a 3PM order gets here the next day... I decided to give their RAM a try and my business instead of Crucial this time.
I'm sure the specs read nice. But before putting US$2,000 or something on the line...
Not sure what the status of "correctable" errors and how concerned I should be. So I have been running Memtest to try and "hit" just that DIMM - hard.

Does Mountain Lion checks for original hardware?? (problem with third-party ram)

Hi all,
I am wondering if Mountain Lion does a hardware check for original hardware. I did a RAM upgrade 6 months ago (from 2x2Gb to 2x4Gb Dolphin 1333Mhz DDR3 on a an early 2011 MacBook Pro) and everything went smooth, I really noticed the upgraded performance.
My problem started after a firmware update (I was running Mountain Leopard). The system became really unstable, with a lot of programs crashing randomly and some crash black screens. I then decided to update to Mountain Lion with a fresh install to solve all the problems and clean up my computer.
I did it from a bootable USB drive using Lion Disk Maker and following these instructions with the harddrive completely formatted: How To Make A Bootable Disk Or USB Drive Of OS X Mountain Lion. The installation got stuck half way through and exited without any error message. After checking the log I got an error code (FAILED TO VERIFY ESSENTIALS PACKAGE). After diggin for a couple of days I found out in an old apple support discussion (Failed To Verify Essentials Package On Installation) that the problem could be the non-original RAM. I then replaced the RAM with the original one and finally was able to install the new OS without problems.
After the OS install and setting up my usual programs, I decided to go back to the upgraded RAM for extra performance and the crashes came back as before. So the newer RAM clearly caused the system to become unstable. So right now I am using the original RAM, I want to get extra RAM but not sure if it was a sporadic problem or it will happen with all the third party memories. Going to the official tecnical service will cost me more than 130€ while buying a third party RAM is around 40€. Is it really Apple pushing us to get original parts or I am just unlucky? Did someone else experienced something similar?

Well, the upgraded RAM worked properly for 5 months straight. I don´t think it is a problem of dirt on the contacts or improper seating. Having the RAM not working properly the same day I want to update the OS, without touching it would be too much of a coincidence I think.
I am going to try the third party RAM again to be sure, trying to clean the contacts just in case, I will post the outcome later.

If I increase my laptop ram to third party ram my warranty affected or not

Hii,
I am Ved from India (Delhi). I have purchase Hp 2230tx laptop in Jan'2013, Its ram is 2gb thats is too low according to my usage.
But i have 4gb extra third party ram. If I install this ram in my laptop, "MY LAPTOP WARRANTY AFFECTED OR NOT".
Thanks in Advance
This question was solved.
View Solution.

No, upgrading the RAM will not void the warranty of your notebook. The RAM you install will have it's own warranty and will not be covered by HP.
If you have to send the notebook in for repair, they will require the original RAM be installed.

Best Third Party Ram?

What brand do you think is the best third party ram? Is there a type that works the best in your experience with the MacBook Pro?

There is not one best.
Apple supply Samsung, Hynix, Micron (which is also Crucial) and Nanya as standard.
People also buy Kingston (not value ram). Other World Computing (www.macsales.com) supply Samsung and their own label ram which is guaranteed.
Samsung is good as it has a lifetime warranty. The correct Samsung 1gb is M470T2953CZ3-CE6.
If you are only adding one chip, I would say look to see what is already in your machine and match it if possible
I lean towards Samsung, but Apple have supplied me machines with Samsung, Hynix, Micron and Nanya and all have worked well.
I would be careful of other brands though, not because of quality, but compatibility.
Cheers.

Does adding third party ram void the warranty?

Will adding third party RAM, like Crucial, void the original Apple warranty or Apple Care warranty extension? Does the latency rate matter? Am adding a second stick of 512 mb ram to new iMac G5 (rev B actually). Is this ram ok for my iMac rev B as a second stick?
"Crucial 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model CT6464Z40B"

Adding third-party RAM to your machine won't void the warranty unless you damage the machine during the installation. That module matches the specifications your iMac calls for.
(9216)

Upload Third Party Software Component and assignment to Track

Hi,
I created a Track where I have to add a Third-Party Software Component (HMVCGLXBRIDGE.sca).
How can I upload Third-Party Software Components and make it selectable for adding it to the Track under SAP NetWeaver Development Infrastructure > Change Management Service > Landscape Configurator > [Track] > Add SCu2026
THX for any comment
Regards

Hi Pascal,
my structure in detail
Track: BOM
Product: SalesBOM
Software Component: SC_SALESBOM
Dependencies (Context: BuildTime): BPEM Buildt 7.12, ..., HMVCGLXBRIDGE, ..., VC FREESTYLE KIT 7.12
--> I added the SC "HMVCGLXBRIDGE" afterwards in the SLD und after an update and synchronisation in CMS it is also not shown
I checked the HMVCGLXBRIDGE.sca and there are two files in the BUILDARCHIVES folder:
- test.sap.comhm-vc-glx-bridge.dcia
- test.sap.comtcvcglxbridgecomp~.dcia
Furthermore there are this folders:
DEPLOYARCHIVES
- test.sap.comhm-vc-glx-bridgetest.sap.com~hm-vc-glx-bridge.sda
- test.sap.comtcvcglxbridgecomptest.sap.comtcvcglx~bridgecomp.ear
META-INF
- MANIFEST.MF
- SAP_MANIFEST.MF
You can also download the file at SDN [right here|http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/5011e388-9417-2c10-14a5-b79912aad1ea].
At "LocalDevelopment" in NWDS everything works fine but I need this SC in a track!!!
I have the feeling that it stuck at a little little point
Regards

Rumor reguarding third-party ram

A co-worker told me today that third-party RAM will not work in the alumnium Macbooks .. Can anyone confirm this with website links, etc? I could not find anything to prove this rumor true. He stated that the only memory that will work is Samsung memory?? I highly doubt this.. Had anyone heard this rumor before? Thanks

Macbook spec memory
Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format
1.25 inch (3.18 cm)
1 GB or 2 GB
200-pin
PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz Type RAM
The one you are looking at has 204 pins, find a brand that has 200
I have a kingston set that works great
Warranty Terms - PartsLifetime
Warranty Terms - LaborLifetime
Computer CompatibilityMac only
Memory Size2GB
Type of MemoryPC3-8500 DDR3
Mac CompatibleYes
Speed1066MHz
Pin Configuration200-pin SoDIMM

Has anyone had problems with Domayne using generic third party RAM for memory upgrades? My RAM is now faulty and had to be removed, but Apple wont replace it under Apple Care because its not a genuine component?

The computer was purchased in the knowledge that all components and hardware were genuine and subsequently covered by the Apple Care warranty.
Domayne replaced the genuine components (8GB stick) with generic components (2x 16GB sticks) to save money and boost margin.
Apple should not allow this misleading, profiteering behaivour. This behaviour is brand damaging. Apple must maintain more control over their supply chain.
Has anyone had any expirenece with this problem?
Has anyone made Domayne or other third party resellers acountable for this misleading behaviour?
Thank you.

Stick with Brand name RAM and reputable distributors. Mac is finicky about low quality RAM
Try OWC http://www.macsales.com/
Crucial http://www.crucial.com/
Most RAM comes with Lifetime guarenntee so return it where you got it.

Third party RAM for my Mac Pro

I have a 1st generation Dual-Core 2.66GHz/4GB Mac Pro desktop. I want to install 16 GB total, from a third party. I'm not very computer savvy... and I'm not sure which third party offers the ram most suitable for my particular machine, or which pairs I'm better off purchasing, etc. If anyone knowledgeable enough to put me in the right direction could give me some advice I'de really appreciate their input. Thanks guys.

You will need 667MHz FB-DIMMs. If you are thinking about upgrading to a 2nd gen MacPro, then you can get 800MHz ones. In 1st gen they will operate at 667MHz but you will be able to swap them into a 2nd gen if anything. If you are not planning to upgrade anytime soon, then forget what I just said and go for teh 667MHz ones.
If you are not planning to ever want more than 16GB RAM, then 8x2GB is a good choice. Or you can get 4x4GB.
Now, there is Apple Certified and Apple Qualified FB-DIMMs. Its basically the same thing but Apple Certified ones are much more expensive just because they are "certified" by Apple. Qualified memory is the same thing, but it has not been certified by Apple. Same reason why Apple brand memory is much more expensive. I am using qualified memory myself.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory
Hope this helps.

"Grey Screen" issue attached to Third Party RAM?

Ran into an issue with my iMac. A few weeks back, when I started up my Mac, I got the "grey screen" brick wall, where the machine, for some reason, isn't seeing the operating system. Sometimes the flashing folder question mark, sometimes just grey. After a hard-reboot, things were okay.
But got progressively worse over the last three weeks. One reboot, went up to between 5 and 6 reboots just to get the CPU to see the hard disk. Stripped the machine, reinstalled the OS, did okay for only a day, and then back to the usual grey screen madness. Ran Disk Utility to repair my hard drive, sometimes I cant start-up without this process.
Did everything possible from the online troubleshooting pages on this issue... and finally pulled out my "third party" 1G RAM card... just as a final hoorah before packing it into the box for the Mac Store visit...
And now she starts up like a dream.
SO... would anybody know why in the heck a third-pary RAM card would affect my computer's ability to see the start-disk OS? Why, after pulling it out, would things be just fine? Should I just replace the RAM, or is it something else?
Strange, eh? --- Hit me with any thoughts you guys have. Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum.
If your 3rd party ram, or indeed any party ram was faulty then you might experience strange issues like this. Contact the people you got it from and see what they have to say - think of it as a faulty item and they should just offer to replace it for you.

Third party ram + apple ram?

I'm thinking about buying a macbook pro with the standard 1 stick of 1 gig ram, but third party solutions for the remaining slot looks much cheaper. Will putting 1 gig of apple ram + 1 gig of nonapple ram together cause any problems? Has anyone done this and had any issues? Thanks.

Apple don't make ram themselves. They supply Samsung, Hynix, Nanya and Micron (which is also Crucial) as standard -so any of these will be as supplied by Apple.
Some respected retailers sell these and then certain other 3rd part ram which they have extensively tested - such as ramjet and owc (macsales).
If you stick to one of the brands that Apple supplies or one of these respected 3rd parties, you should be fine. Some very cheap ram may cause problems.
Best of luck.

Third Party RAM Design and Risk

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