iMac memory -

mr. k

mr. k

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My iMac (specs below) is getting slow on me... I can't play games well at all, and now that I don't like quitting apps I'm doing a good job of bringing the beast to a crawl :) I was just wondering what the most efficient way to speed it up was. I expect that it's memory; another 256mb shouldn't cost more then $100 and would be a worthwile update. But what would be the improvements if I increased my DRAM ( summer 2001 iMac slot loading takes DRAM I think... ) to 512MB? Would it be almost like doubling the speed of things that arent processor intensive ( like puttering in the finder with iTunes, TextEdit, Mail, Appleworks, Terminal, iChat and Safari open) and what kind of improvement would it give to games like mohaa and the sims? Would it be noticeable? Does anyone have an iMac 600mhz g3 with around 512MB ram?
thanks -
 
i have seen just the differences on ibook 700 with 128 / 256 / 640 MB RAM. 640 MB is smooth ... i imagine the same difference will be on yours. the more, the smoother.
 
You can get two 512 MB SDRAM chips for $100 ;)
Just notice you don't need PC100 RAM, PC133 which is usually cheaper works just as well and fits in more newer Macs too if you should want to sell or move them :)
I see most game readmes recommend 512 MB or more, so I guess there's something in it. The system is usually generally snappier and more responsive with more RAM too :)
 
reall ksv? I was just goin on apples powermac ram - didn't think there would be that much of a price difference (but it's lots better i guess...) so whats a good price for a 512MB stick ksv? PC-100 is just fine with me...
 
Originally posted by mr. K
reall ksv? I was just goin on apples powermac ram - didn't think there would be that much of a price difference (but it's lots better i guess...) so whats a good price for a 512MB stick ksv? PC-100 is just fine with me...
Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure about US prices right now, but I guess 50-60$ for a 512 MB is okay.
It doesn't have to be 'made especially for Macs' - it's just a trick to earn more money. All you need is a PC133/PC100 SDRAM chip :)
 
You have two slots for memory. What you need is 168 pin SDRAM. At MacWarehouse the price for a PC 100-128 is $30. A 256MB is $40. A 512MB is $80. this is from the last catalog I recieved from them. Keep in mind the prices to fluctuate.

You do need to know if you have a slot empty or if you need to pull a chip out. This will determine what size to get. If you have one slot filled with a 256, then you can easily add a 256. But if you have two 128's then you will have to decide if you want two 256's or just go for it and get one 512 using it with one of your 128's.

In either case, you will see an improvment.
 
thanks cheryl - i have one open slot right now and still am not sure if i wanna get it done at the local store or if im gonna do it myself but if i could get a nice cheap chip off ebay i'm sure i could stick it in by myself. thanks for all you guys' help
 
I just wanted to clarify that the iMac has two different ram slots for two different types of RAM. One is like older G4 Power Mac models, dram - I believe the newer flat panels use PC2100. The user upgradable slot under the base is like the ram in the ibooks/powerbooks, a SODIMM.

I hope this helps. I suggest at least 512mb to run OSX smoothly. I have a GIG in my powermac right now and plan to upgrade to 2GIG eventually.
 
Originally posted by dixonbm
I just wanted to clarify that the iMac has two different ram slots for two different types of RAM. One is like older G4 Power Mac models, dram - I believe the newer flat panels use PC2100. The user upgradable slot under the base is like the ram in the ibooks/powerbooks, a SODIMM.

I hope this helps. I suggest at least 512mb to run OSX smoothly. I have a GIG in my powermac right now and plan to upgrade to 2GIG eventually.
Click to expand...

Yea, but if we're talking about the iMac in mr. K's signature, it uses 168 pin PC100 SDRAM as Cheryl said :)
 
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