What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon Mac Pro? Is it possible to upgrade the processor after purchase?

At the time of initial system purchase, the Apple Silicon Mac Pro can be configured with either a 24-Core CPU/60-Core GPU or 24-Core CPU/76-Core GPU System on a Chip (SoC). EveryMac.com documents these configurations as the Mac Pro "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/60 GPU and Mac Pro "M2 Ultra" 24 CPU/76 GPU, respectively.

As confirmed by iFixit in its customary teardown, just like all the other Apple Silicon Mac models, it is not possible to upgrade the processor or video processor in the Apple Silicon Mac Pro after purchase.

Photo Credit: iFixit (Apple Silicon Mac Pro Processor)

What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon Mac Pro use? Can it be upgraded?

Like all other Apple Silicon Macs, the Apple Silicon Mac Pro models all have "unified" RAM onboard that is integrated with the processor (SoC). It cannot be upgraded later, but all models can be equipped at the time of initial system purchase with more RAM than its default configuration, though.

The Apple Silicon Mac Pro has 64 GB of "unified" RAM onboard by default. At the time of system purchase, it can be configured with 128 GB or 192 GB of RAM for an additional US$800 or US$1600, respectively.

Of course, this is a radical downgrade from the Intel Mac Pro models that came before it -- the Mac Pro (2019) line -- which were equipped with only 32 GB of RAM by default but that also had a whopping twelve RAM slots and could be upgraded after the initial system purchase with as much as 1 TB or 1.5 TB of RAM.

It is worth noting that the inability to upgrade the RAM later likely will shorten the usable lifespan of the Apple Silicon Mac Pro compared to earlier models. If you can afford to configure your Mac Pro with more RAM than the default at the time of purchase, you should do so.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices

<< Apple Silicon Mac Pro (2023+) Q&A (Main) | All Mac Q&As

---

Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.