[Swordmaker]

Go with the Mac Pro Dual Quad 3.2GHz with 8 GB of RAM and throw three more hard drives in there after you get it.

If you want to make your procurement department happy with you, get the RAM expansion from someone other than Apple post purchase... just make sure you get quality memory from one of the reputable firms. You can save a lot of $$ that way. Apple does charge a high premium for expansion RAM.

[savedbygrace]

Good point. I buy from Lifetime Memory. Good prices, lifetime warranty, and they use the exact same heat sink that Apple uses, from the same supplier.

But don’t fall for the hype some RAM companies use about Certified Apple RAM or Certified Apple Heatsinks.

There is no such thing. Apple merely provides the specs, but does not certify any 3rd party RAM.

[Scoutmaster]

"If you want to make your procurement department happy with you, get the RAM expansion from someone other than Apple post purchase... just make sure you get quality memory from one of the reputable firms. You can save a lot of $$ that way. Apple does charge a high premium for expansion RAM."

Thanks. Apple's RAM prices looked to be through the roof and reputable aftermarket RAM is much less expensive.

Does the same logic apply to hard drives? I could install Hitachi or Western Digital server-quality drives in the extra bays for much less than the cost of buying them from Apple.