Max memory on a Mac Nehalem

[Bricklayer]

Hello,
I have a question regarding the addition of memory in a Mac Nehalem (quad core). I currently have 6 GB (3X2) I can add another 2 GB to go to 8. But, as I need lots of ram, I wonder if I can add a strip to go 4GB to 10GB. I asked at the dealers. I had several responses. Yes, it's possible, it depends on the serial Num, and another, no, they work in pairs. Then, at Apple, is not, 8 (4X2) it works, but for the perfect is better when it works by triple. I am confused, any more information will be great.

[HardWeaR]

So for the Mac Pro, quad or octo-core, they all accept up to 32GB of RAM (4x8Go), the sole exception of the quad core "early 2009" (single-processor Mac Pro 4.1) which, curiously, can not exceed 16 GB (4x4Go). Furthermore, the bars do not work in pairs, it's DDR2 or 3 according to the model, many bars are 64 bits. The sole interest of matching barrettes, is to activate the "dual channel", a process that allows a marginal improvement in the performance of Mac (roughly between 1 and 3% depending on the type of task).

[GlassFish]

I will try to answer your second question. If you know the difference between a bar "no parity" and a barrette with parity, and if you know also recognize a bar without an ECC error correction, why not. Otherwise, you still "large areas of Mac" (Macway, ICLG ...) that they only sell Mac-compatible memory at prices generally lower than Apple's. I guess I am correct here.

[Bricklayer]

So already there is one thing I discovered, I bought this machine in early this year, so I must be throttled to 16MB. I knew there were other variations ranging from 32MB up. (Apart from the opto-cores). Is identifiable by the NUM. Serial? But for my case, 16MB would be more than enough already. like I'm trying to make a compromise economic with what I have to increase the memory of my machine, I thought do the following:
buy 2X4 GB + 2X2 GB that I already, what makes me 12GB, is double what I currently have. But I have (had) a doubt about this mix, if I understand correctly, it is feasible? Thank you.

[GlassFish]

No need to Serial, and no other versions "since" this is the only model to accept only 16 GB, all others, be it oc-core to the same generation, or older models accept 32 GB in eight bars, one recognizes that which is limited to 16 GB because he can not be set as 4 modules of RAM. With this setup, you activate the dual channel (unless you "plumes" strips, one 2, one 4, one 2, 4) by amounts between pairs Go to a 2x2 and a 2x4 GB.

[Miles Runner]

That sounds like a lot (unlike the other Mac ... And also what I thought, the Mac Pro supports ECC), the only error on this page is that the mounting "pairs" is not required, it is necessary to activate the dual channel (as I mentioned above), moreover, your 6 GB (3x2 GB) are proof that it can work with barrettes "Single "without dual channel.

[New ID]

So, Apple (well, Mac) proposes to put in this case, the larger bars (4GB) on slots 1 and 2, and smaller (2GB in my case) in 3 and 4. Here, I have "hands on" just a bar of 2 GB unused for the moment, therefore, I spend twice 6GB or 12GB. Rather profitable transaction, I have time to see coming.