Memory-wise, the Mac Pro 2019 supports six-channel memory and comes with 12 slots, which allows you to install up to 1.5TB of RAM. Not a bad look for Apple's newest professional gear. Higher-end configurations of the 2019 Mac Pro feature some new and very heavy duty components, however, including a new Radeon Pro Vega II graphics processor and a specialized graphics card, Apple. The original Mac Pro models have four PCIe 1.0 expansion slots with one double-wide 16-lane PCI Express slot occupied by a NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT in the default configuration, and three full-length PCI Express slots open. PCIe Expansion. The 2019 Mac Pro makes use of a PCIe gen3 bus with 64 lanes. Apple has configured the Mac Pro with 8 PCIe expansion slots, set up as 4 full-length double-wide slots, 3 full-length single wide, and one half-length single wide slot that is prepopulated with Apple’s own I/O card. The iMac Pro supports 32GB / 64GB / 128GB / 256GB of DDR4 ECC memory. The new Mac Pro will handle from 32GB to 1.5TB of DDR4 ECC memory and will be completely user-configurable.

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The Mac Pro introduced in 2019 has eight PCIe slots:

• Four double-wide slots
• Three single-wide slots
• One half-length slot preconfigured with the Apple I/O card

Mac Pro includes one or two Radeon Pro MPX Modules that occupy slots 1-2 and slots 3-4. You can choose your MPX Modules when you order your Mac Pro or order them separately from Apple. Learn how to install PCI cards in your Mac Pro (2019).

Apple AMD Radeon MPX Modules

Apple currently has three different Mac Pro Expansion (MPX) Modules that contain AMD Radeon Pro graphics processing units (GPUs). Radeon Pro MPX Modules can use slots 1-2 and slots 3-4, and you can install one or two of each module:

• Radeon Pro 580X MPX Module: one module only
• Radeon Pro Vega II MPX Module: one or two modules
• Radeon Pro Vega II Duo MPX Module: one or two modules

You can use Radeon MPX Modules along with other third-party PCIe graphics cards. If you use Boot Camp, using a Radeon MPX Module and a third-party AMD graphics card isn't supported when your Mac is using Windows. Learn about using AMD graphics cards with Microsoft Windows on Mac Pro (2019).

Apple I/O card

Mac Pro comes with the Apple I/O card, which has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Apple I/O card comes preinstalled in slot 8 and can't be installed in another slot.

Third-party PCIe cards

You can install many different PCIe cards in your Mac Pro, such as fibre channel cards, fibre networking cards, and pro video and audio interface cards. The PCIe bus on your Mac Pro provides up to 300W auxillary power. If your PCIe card requires additional power, such as a GPU, use the Belkin Aux Power Cable.

Mac Pro supports the same GPUs that are supported by external graphics processors (eGPUs). If you use Boot Camp and want to install a NVIDIA card to use in Windows on your Mac, don't install the card in slot 2. Learn about using AMD graphics cards with Microsoft Windows on Mac Pro (2019).

Some older PCI cards might use 32-bit Option ROMs that aren't compatible with your Mac Pro. If you install a PCI card that uses 32-bit option ROMs, your Mac Pro might not start up correctly.

Afterburner

Afterburner is a hardware accelerator card made by Apple. Learn more about Afterburner.

RAID cards

If you want to add additional storage, you can install a third-party RAID card, such as a SAS RAID card, or you can install the Promise Pegasus R4i 32TB RAID MPX Module in one of the two MPX bays. If you use Boot Camp on your Mac, Windows doesn't support Apple software RAID volumes.

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MacBook Pro Q&A - Updated March 17, 2008

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What kind of expansion slots are provided by the MacBook Pro?

The MacBook Pro provides one ExpressCard/34 expansion slot. For more information, please refer to:

• What is ExpressCard/34? Is it compatible with PC Cards?
• What is the difference between ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54? Speed?

Is the CPU on the MacBook Pro upgradable?

No. Unfortunately, as confirmed by the always excellent iFixit, all MacBook Pro models have the processor soldered to the logic board. Given the design of the system, it is clear that Apple does not intend for the processor to be upgraded.

What type of video processor is provided by the MacBook Pro? Is it upgradable?

The details regarding the video processor provided by each system are included on the applicable specifications page, but also are included below for your convenience. The video is not upgradable in any model.

Does the MacBook Pro support monitor mirroring? Dual displays?

Yes. Page 67-68 of the original MacBook Pro User's Guide reports that:

Your computer has an external monitor (DVI) port that allows you to directly connect a display or projector with a DVI port. Use the included DVI to VGA adapter to connect your MacBook Pro to monitors and projectors that have VGA connectors.

When an external monitor or TV is connected, you can either have the same image appear on both the built-in display and the external monitor (known as video mirroring) or use the external monitor to extend the size of the Mac OS desktop (known as dual-display or extended desktop mode). By default, your MacBook Pro starts up in dual-display mode. Press the F7 key to switch between dual-display and video-mirroring modes.

What is the maximum resolution for an external display? Does the MacBook Pro operate properly while 'closed'?

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Apple reports that all MacBook Pro models support the internal display at the native resolution and simultaneously supports 'up to 2560x1600 on an external display'.

The MacBook Pro can operate properly while closed. Page 54 of the original MacBook Pro User's Guide confirms that the system provides 'DVI video output with included DVI to VGA adapter for using your MacBook Pro with an external monitor or digital flat-panel display, including support for closed-lid operation.'

What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the MacBook Pro? Which can read and write dual-layer DVDs?

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The specific capabilities of each system are included on the specifications page of each model, but also are included below for your convenience.

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Systems with a 4X single-layer 'SuperDrive' are capable of reading dual-layer DVD, but only can write to single-layer DVD. Systems with a 'dual-layer' SuperDrive can read and write dual-layer DVD.

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