It's something of a running joke among Windows users that Macs are rubbish for gaming, but the Mac gaming scene, in fact, has really picked up since Macs started to use the same Intel processors. Mar 18, 2015 PC Gamer's guide to gaming on a Mac. The Xeon processor options range from a 3.7 GHz quad-core chip to a 2.7 GHz 12-core processor. The quad-core Mac Pro costs far more than a.

Choose your model

1. From the Apple () menu, choose About This Mac.
2. Click More Info.
3. Select Hardware from the Contents list.
4. Find 'Number of Processors' under Hardware Overview. The quad-core and 6-core Mac Pro have one CPU and the 8-core and 12-core Mac Pro have two CPUs.

Applicable models

Mac Pro (Mid 2012), Quad-core
Mac Pro (Mid 2012), 6-core
Mac Pro (Mid 2012), 12-core

Memory specifications

Mac Pro (Mid 2012) computers have these memory specifications:

Removing or installing memory

Step 1: Determine which Mac Pro you have

1. Choose Apple (), then About This Mac from the upper-left menu bar.
2. Click More Info.
3. Select Hardware from the Contents list.
4. Find Number Of Processors in Hardware Overview. The quad-core and 6-core Mac Pro have one CPU and 12-core Mac Pro have two CPUs.

Step 2: Remove the side panel

1. Before you open your Mac Pro, shut it down by choosing Shut Down from the Apple () menu.
   Note: Always shut down your Mac Pro before opening it to avoid damaging its internal components or the components you want to install. Do not open your Mac Pro or attempt to install items inside it while it is on.
2. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the internal components of your Mac Pro to cool.
   Warning: Let your Mac Pro cool down before you touch the internal components, which may be very warm.
3. Touch the metal on the outside of your Mac Pro to discharge any static electricity.
   Note: Always discharge static before you touch parts or install components inside your Mac Pro. To avoid generating static, don't move around the room until you finish installing the cards, memory, or internal storage device and replace the side panel.
4. Unplug all the cables and the power cord from your Mac Pro.
   Note: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want to install, always unplug your Mac Pro. Don't attempt to install items while it's plugged in.
5. Hold the side panel and lift the latch on the back.
6. Remove the side panel by pulling the top away from your Mac Pro and lifting up.Important: Hold the side panel securely wile you remove it.

Step 3: Install the memory

In a Quad-Core or 6-Core Mac Pro (Mid 2012):​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface, to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you are installing equal-size DIMMs (all 2 GB or all 4 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	1, 2, 3, and 4 (all)

   Note: If you install different sized DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table above. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility should appear onscreen and recommend an improved configuration. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.

5. Open the ejectors on DIMM slots 1, 2, and 3 and push them out to the sides. Remove the DIMMs from the slots.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

In a Quad-Core or 6-Core Mac Pro (Mid 2012):​​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you install equal-size DIMMs (for example, all 2 or 4 GB DIMMs) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	1, 2, 5, and 6
   Six DIMMs	1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
   Eight DIMMs	1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8 (all)

   Note: If you install different-size DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility appears onscreen and recommends an improved configuration.

5. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

Step 4: Replace the side panel

Note: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro won't operate properly without the side panel in place.

Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.

1. Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side panel.
2. You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the lock tab down before you close the latch.

Note: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro won't operate properly without the side panel in place.

Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.

1. Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side panel.
2. You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the lock tab down before you close the latch.

Applicable models

Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Quad-core
Mac Pro (Mid 2010), 6-core
Mac Pro (Mid 2010), 8-core
Mac Pro (Mid 2010), 12-core

Memory specifications

The Mac Pro (Mid 2010) computers have these memory specifications:

Removing or installing memory

Step 1: Determine which Mac Pro you have

1. Choose Apple (), then About This Mac from the upper-left menu bar.
2. Click More Info.
3. Select Hardware from the Contents list.
4. Find Number Of Processors in Hardware Overview. The quad-core and 6-core Mac Pro have one CPU and the 8-core and 12-core Mac Pro have two CPUs.

Step 2: Remove the side panel

1. Before you open your Mac Pro, shut it down by choosing Apple (), then Shut Down.

   Note: Always shut down your Mac Pro before opening it to avoid damaging its internal components or the components you want to install. Do not open your Mac Pro or attempt to install items inside it while it is on.

2. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the internal components of your Mac Pro to cool.

   Warning: Let your Mac Pro cool down before you touch the internal components, which may be very warm.

3. Touch the metal on the outside of your Mac Pro to discharge any static electricity.

   Note: Always discharge static before you touch parts or install components inside your Mac Pro. To avoid generating static, don't move around the room until you finish installing the cards, memory, or internal storage device and replace the side panel.

4. Unplug all the cables and the power cord from your Mac Pro.

   Note: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want to install, always unplug your Mac Pro. Don't attempt to install items while it's plugged in.

   Hold the side panel and lift the latch on the back.

5. Remove the side panel by pulling the top away from your Mac Pro and lifting up.

   Important: Hold the side panel securely wile you remove it.

Step 3: Install the memory

In a Quad-Core or 6-Core Mac Pro (Mid 2010)​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface, to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you are installing equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB or all 2 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	1, 2, 3, and 4 (all)

   Note: If you install different sized DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table above. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility should appear onscreen and recommend an improved configuration. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.

5. Open the ejectors on DIMM slots 1, 2, and 3 and push them out to the sides. Remove the DIMMs from the slots.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

In an 8-Core or 12-Core Mac Pro (Mid 2010)​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you install equal-size DIMMs (for example, all 1 or 2 GB DIMMs) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	1, 2, 5, and 6
   Six DIMMs	1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
   Eight DIMMs	1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8 (all)

   Note: If you install different-size DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility appears onscreen and recommends an improved configuration.

5. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

Step 4: Replace the side panel

Note: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro won't operate properly without the side panel in place.

Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.

1. Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side panel.
2. You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the lock tab down before you close the latch.

Applicable models

Mac Pro (Early 2009), Quad-core
Mac Pro (Early 2009), 8-core

Memory specifications

The Mac Pro (Early 2009) computers have these memory specifications:

Removing or installing memory

Step 1: Determine which Mac Pro you have

1. Choose Apple (), then About This Mac from the upper-left menu bar.
2. Click More Info.
3. Select Hardware from the Contents list.
4. Find Number Of Processors in Hardware Overview. The quad-core and 6-core Mac Pro have one CPU and the 8-core Mac Pro has two CPUs.

Step 2: Remove the side panel

1. Before you open your Mac Pro, shut it down by choosing Apple (), then Shut Down.

   Note: Always shut down your Mac Pro before opening it to avoid damaging its internal components or the components you want to install. Do not open your Mac Pro or attempt to install items inside it while it is on.

2. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the internal components of your Mac Pro to cool.

   Warning: Let your Mac Pro cool down before you touch the internal components, which may be very warm.

3. Touch the metal on the outside of your Mac Pro to discharge any static electricity.

   Note: Always discharge static before you touch parts or install components inside your Mac Pro. To avoid generating static, don't move around the room until you finish installing the cards, memory, or internal storage device and replace the side panel.

4. Unplug all the cables and the power cord from your Mac Pro.

   Note: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want to install, always unplug your Mac Pro. Don't attempt to install items while it's plugged in.

5. Hold the side panel and lift the latch on the back.
6. Remove the side panel by pulling the top away from your Mac Pro and lifting up.

   Important: Hold the side panel securely wile you remove it.

Step 3: Install the memory

In a Quad-Core Mac Pro (Early 2009)​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface, to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you are installing equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB or all 2 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	All (1, 2, 3, and 4)

   Note: If you install different sized DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility should appear onscreen and recommend an improved configuration. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.

5. Open the ejectors on DIMM slots 1, 2, and 3 and push them out to the sides. Remove the DIMMs from the slots.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

In an 8-Core Mac Pro (Early 2009)​

1. Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
2. Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
3. Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
4. If you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1, 2, or 4 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.

   If you have	Fill these slots	Fill these slots
   Two DIMMs	1 and 2
   Three DIMMs	1, 2, and 3
   Four DIMMs	1, 2, 5, and 6
   Six DIMMs	1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
   Eight DIMMs	1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8 (all)

   Note: If you install different-size DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn't provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility should appear onscreen and recommend an improved configuration.

5. To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.
6. Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.

   Note: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don't touch the gold connectors or other components.

7. Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
8. Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.

Step 4: Replace the side panel

Note: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro doesn't operate properly without the side panel in place.

Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.

1. Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side panel.
2. You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the lock tab down before you close the latch.

Applicable models

Mac Pro (Early 2008)
Mac Pro (8-core)
Mac Pro (Original)

Memory specifications

This Mac Pro model has these memory specifications:

You should install FB-DIMMs in matched pairs of equal size and equal specification. Use the table below and the instructions that follow as guidelines for DIMM placement.

Removing or installing memory

Warning: Let your Mac Pro cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before you touch the internal components. The components on the memory cards may be very warm.

Step 1: Remove the side panel

1. Shut down your Mac Pro.

   Note: Always shut down your Mac Pro before opening it to avoid damaging its internal components or the components you want to install. Do not open your Mac Pro or attempt to install items inside it while it is on.

2. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the internal components of your Mac Pro to cool.

   Warning: Let your Mac Pro cool down before you touch the internal components, which may be very warm.

3. Touch the metal on the outside of your Mac Pro to discharge any static electricity.

   Important: Always discharge static before you touch parts or install components inside your Mac Pro. To avoid generating static, do not move around the room until you finish installing the cards, memory, or internal storage device and replace the side panel.

4. Unplug all the cables and the power cord from your Mac Pro.

   Note: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want to install, always unplug your Mac Pro. Don't attempt to install items while it's plugged in.

5. Hold the side panel and lift the latch on the back.
6. Remove the side panel by pulling the top away from your Mac Pro and lifting up.

   Important: Hold the side panel securely wile you remove it.

Step 2: Install or remove the memory cards

1. Using the two finger holes, pull on the memory cards to remove them, then place them on a soft, clean cloth with the DIMMs facing up.
2. On the bottom memory card, open the ejectors on the DIMM slot and push them out to the sides, and then remove the DIMM from slot 1.

   Important: When installing or removing DIMMs, don't touch the gold connectors on the DIMMs or the memory cards.

3. Reinstall the DIMM you removed on the top memory card by aligning it in DIMM slot 2, as shown in the illustration, and pushing both ends of the DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.
4. Install the first pair of additional DIMMs on the bottom memory card in DIMM slots 1 and 2, the slots closest to the card's gold connectors.

   Important: Always install DIMMs as matched pairs and in the order shown below.

   Move one DIMM from bottom card to top card	First pair of additional DIMMs
   Top memory card
   Bottom memory card

5. If you add a second pair of additional DIMMs, install them on the top memory card in DIMM slots 3 and 4, the last two slots.
   

   Second pair of additional DIMMs	Third pair of additional DIMMs
   Top memory card
   Bottom memory card

6. If you add a third pair of additional DIMMs, install them on the bottom memory card in DIMM slots 3 and 4.
7. Lay your Mac Pro down on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface to avoid scratching the work surface or your Mac Pro.
8. Reinstall each memory card, pushing it straight down until it's seated in the memory slot.

Step 3: Replace the side panel

1. Stand your Mac Pro up and replace the side panel.

   Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.

2. Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side panel.
3. You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the lock tab down before you close the latch.

Learn more

Checking that your computer recognizes the new memory

1. Press the power button to turn on your Mac Pro.
2. When the Mac OS desktop appears, choose Apple (), then About This Mac and check that the reported amount of memory is correct.

If the reported memory size isn't correct, the computer may be having issues recognizing a memory module. If this happens, shut down your Mac Pro, verify the module specifications against the requirements listed above, and repeat the memory installation instructions to make sure the modules are installed correctly. If you still have issues, remove the memory and consult the support information that came with the memory, or contact the vendor who provided the memory.

Purchasing memory

When purchasing DIMMs for use in Mac computers, make sure that the memory vendor conforms to the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) specification. Check with your memory vendor to ensure that the DIMMs support the correct timing modes and that the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) feature has been programmed properly, as described in the JEDEC specification.

Twelve cores and twenty-four threads—that's what I'm sitting in front of. Even after owning an 8-core Nehalem Xeon Mac Pro, I just wasn't prepared for the 8 extra threads in my new shiny new 12-core Westmere Xeon Mac Pro. It's just that crazy. Sometimes, you look up at the menu bar and you think that Iran has Photoshopped extra iStat CPU bars up there, to convince you of this machine's awesome powers:

Every time that happens, I hear a Black Sabbath guitar solo off in the distance, and my mouse hand does this of its own accord:

But then the smoke machine fog dies down, and I'm left with the rest of my programs that don't cause multi-core god rays to appear. This is life with many cores.

• Custom-built Mac Pro 2010 specs
• Dual-socket six-core 2.66GHz Westmere Xeon Mac Pro
• 15GB RAM
• OCZ Vertex Turbo 120GB system disk
• 2TB striped RAID working disk
• ATI 5870 1GB
• dual NEC 2490WUXi LCDs at 1920x1200

• Comparison 2009 Mac Pro
• Dual quad-core 2.66GHz Nehalem Xeon Mac Pro
• 24GB RAM
• OCZ Vertex Turbo 120GB system disk
• 2TB striped RAID working disk
• ATI 4870 512MB
• dual NEC 2490WUXi LCDs at 1920x1200

Both machines are using the same hard drives—I reformatted the system disk and put it in the new Mac Pro after running the benchmarks on the 2009 Mac Pro.

The Hardware

The 2010 Mac Pro now comes with an 802.11n Wi-Fi card by default. I always use wired, but this was a dumb thing to make an upgrade because there are times you find you need wireless. The new Mac Pros also come with the magic mouse.

There isn't much else to say about the 2010 internals that wasn't said already in my 2009 Mac Pro review. That's no complaint—the internals of this machine are great, and not much was in need of revising. It's still the easiest Mac ever to upgrade, and all the goodies like the thumbscrew PCI card block are still there:

The memory bay count of eight is still unchanged, so users need to be careful not to fill them for the sake of filling them. My 15GB RAM allocation may seem gross as a number, but it's the proper pairing:

Combining three 1GB with three 4GB modules means that the memory is in running in triple-channel mode. Filling all eight slots wouldn't be the best way to go.

The ATI Radeon 5870

Since I do 3D work, I upgraded from the Radeon 5770 to the Radeon 5870. On a purely aesthetic level, it's a beautiful design:

Gaming On Mac Pro

The 5870 has three outputs: one dual-link DVI and two mini DiplayPorts, so it should drive three screens with resolutions as high as the 27' that Apple just released. I wanted to test it with three LCDs, and thought it would work without any hitches, since my triple 1920x1200 screens are on the conservative side. After receiving a second single-link mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, I've only been able to use two and, it seems, this is not a bug. If you want to connect to DVI displays (no matter the resolution), you have to use the more expensive mini DisplayPort-to-dual-link-DVI adapters. Apple's docs covering this issue are here:

Apple Mac Pro 12 Core

Just when I was beginning to like mini DisplayPort...