Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012)

Model identifier MacPro5,1 Desktop, from 2010 122 hardware reports
Memory
Up to 128 GB
8 full-size slots
Processor
Xeon X5690
Most common processor
Graphics card
2 x16 slots
10 cards seen

19 of 56 machines sold under this name show 4 slots instead of 8. That is usually the smaller case. Count the slots inside yours before you buy.

Upgradable

Yes. 8 slots, up to 128 GB seen working.

It takes DDR3-1333 full-size sticks (DIMM). Most machines in the reports run ECC sticks.

Slots
8 DIMM slots
Type
DDR3-1333 240-pin DIMM
Most seen working
128 GB in two or more machines
Firmware says
128 GB maximum
How sure
37 of 56 reports show this layout
See 16 GB DDR3-1333 DIMM on AmazonOpens an Amazon search for this exact spec.

Worked out from 56 hardware reports of this desktop, with Apple's memory specifications for which Macs have sockets. Sources and method. Updated 10 Nov 2026.

8 full-size slots
Illustration
Processor

Processors seen in these desktops.

Processors in the reports: Xeon X5690 (10), Xeon E5620 (10), Xeon X5680 (9), Xeon X5675 (6), Xeon E5645 (3), Xeon W3680 (3). Prebuilt desktops often only take processors from the generation they shipped with, so stay with the ones listed.

Seen working
Xeon X5690, Xeon E5620, Xeon X5680
How sure
From 56 reports

From the processor records in 56 hardware reports. Sources and method. Updated 10 Nov 2026.

Illustration
Graphics card

It has at least 2 full-length (x16) slots for a graphics card.

Cards in the reports: Radeon HD 5770 (42), Radeon RX 470/480/570/570X/580/580X/590 (19), Radeon HD 7950/8950 OEM / R9 280 (7), GeForce 9500 GT (7), Radeon HD 5870 (6), GeForce GTX 680 (5).

x16 slots
At least 2, listed by the firmware
Seen working
Radeon HD 5770, Radeon RX 470/480/570/570X/580/580X/590, Radeon HD 7950/8950 OEM / R9 280
See graphics cards on AmazonCheck the card's length and power needs against your case.

From 122 PCI device reports and the firmware's slot table. Sources and method. Updated 10 Nov 2026.

Illustration

Questions

Can I upgrade the RAM in the Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012)?

Yes. 8 slots, up to 128 GB seen working. It takes DDR3-1333 full-size sticks (DIMM). Most machines in the reports run ECC sticks.

What type of RAM does the Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012) use?

DDR3-1333 full-size sticks (DIMM, 240-pin).

How much RAM can the Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012) take?

Machines in the reports run up to 128 GB. That matches the 128 GB maximum the firmware reports.

What processor can I put in the Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012)?

Processors seen in these desktops. Processors in the reports: Xeon X5690 (10), Xeon E5620 (10), Xeon X5680 (9), Xeon X5675 (6), Xeon E5645 (3), Xeon W3680 (3). Prebuilt desktops often only take processors from the generation they shipped with, so stay with the ones listed.

Can I add a graphics card to the Apple Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012)?

It has at least 2 full-length (x16) slots for a graphics card. Cards in the reports: Radeon HD 5770 (42), Radeon RX 470/480/570/570X/580/580X/590 (19), Radeon HD 7950/8950 OEM / R9 280 (7), GeForce 9500 GT (7), Radeon HD 5870 (6), GeForce GTX 680 (5).

Is this my desktop?

On the Mac, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report. The Model Identifier should read MacPro5,1.

More in the Apple Mac Pro