Simplify your laptop buying
Mac OS X: Adding ram to an older imac
Adding ram to an older imac
by etancixelsyd - 12/8/05 3:23 PMHey i've got a G3 imac (600 mhz processor, 256 mb ram 40 gb H.d.) and its been running slow lately. i want to speed it up, and i think adding more ram will give it the kick it needs. i think its the ram thats the prob because me and my dad (on separate computers) are running the same os (10.3.x) and he has a 667 mhz processor, so i dont think thats too huge of a gap. he has 768 mb ram i think, and his runs tons faster than mine. Do you think this will speed up my computer? what kind of ram should i get (graphite imac g3)? any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks
RAM for iMac
by mrmacfixit
- 12/8/05 3:46 PM
In reply to: Adding ram to an older imac by etancixelsyd
Adding RAM to your machine would certainly help.
Fortunately it is easy to add RAM to your machine and it takes standard size RAM. PC133 with 168 pins. It can be easily installed by you.
Check the system profiler, under the Apple Menu, for exact memory configuration.
If you have 256MB right now, you almost certainly have two 128MB sticks in the machine. To increase the RAM you will have to sacrifice one or possibly both existing sticks. The next size RAM stick is 256MB ($57)followed by 512MB ($86). This iMac tops out at 1GB of RAM which will set you back $172 (2 x 512). 512 + 256 ($143) or 512 + 128 ($$86)
The site I used to price this RAM is www.memorytogo.com
Hope this helps
P
thanks
by etancixelsyd - 12/8/05 5:51 PM In reply to: RAM for iMac by mrmacfixit
thank you. is there any specific brand i need?/ or one you suggest?
No specific brand
by mrmacfixit - 12/8/05 6:33 PM
In reply to: thanks by etancixelsyd
the website I mentioned carries good memory which has a lifetime warranty.
They will replace RAM without question if there is a suggestion that it is faulty.
P
RAM for iMac
by RaeAtkinson - 12/9/05 5:23 AM In reply to: RAM for iMac by mrmacfixit
I have an iMac G3 as well as my friend. Mine has 512 mb of RAM and hers had 256, so I added another 256 mb and it ramped up her computer wonderfully. It is easy to add RAM into the G3's as they are slot loading. It made Panther run much faster with an extra 256mb's.
A good way to find RAM is through eBay. Make sure it is compatible with Apple. Sometimes cheap, generic pc RAM makes an apple run yucky, so check the System Profiler in the Apple menu and check for configurations of the memory. So Good Luck. I really prefer MAC's and an iMac g3 is a great little computer. Mine, unlike my brand new Windoze laptop, is called the old stable workhorse in our house. It just works...
Be careful
by mrmacfixit - 12/9/05 7:14 AM
In reply to: RAM for iMac by RaeAtkinson
when buying RAM through eBay. A lot of the stuff is pulled from old machines. Not all of it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Buyer beware
P
You are right
by RaeAtkinson - 12/9/05 7:40 AM In reply to: Be careful by mrmacfixit
I should have gone into more detail. My apologies. Mrmacfixit is right, make sure it is new RAM and it has a lifetime warranty, as the RAM I bought had.
thanks
by etancixelsyd - 12/9/05 9:22 AM In reply to: You are right by RaeAtkinsonthank you all very much. Im definitly going to be upgrading my ram. I've read about using a grounding strap, and i was just wondering if this was necessary. and should i use the instructions on "theimac.com" (http://www.theimac.com/ram_under.shtml) i've used instructions on this site before, and theyve seemed good. sorry to be so annoying, but im nervous about screwing up my computer. Thanks
iMac Help
by RaeAtkinson - 12/9/05 9:25 AM In reply to: thanks by etancixelsydGrounding strap would not hurt, or take it into a room with no carpet. The RAM just slides in, but you are right, you dont wanna risk it and screw something up.
RAM Install
by mrmacfixit - 12/9/05 10:33 AM
In reply to: iMac Help by RaeAtkinson
As mentioned, the grounding strap will not hurt. Avoid touching the connectors on the RAM stick. Handle by the edges only.
"just slides in" is a little over simplification. While the RAM does sit inside a slot, it has to be FIRMLY pushed straight down at each end to make sure the white clips are correctly located. The RAM actually snaps in.
P
RAM install
by RaeAtkinson - 12/9/05 1:46 PM In reply to: RAM Install by mrmacfixit
so technical! He's right...;)
Consider
by mrmacfixit - 12/9/05 1:54 PM
In reply to: RAM install by RaeAtkinson
the target audience. Reading the whole thread will indicate that this poster is not used to poking around inside their machine, not everyone is comfortable doing that.
By saying that the RAM just slides in, would suggest that once the RAM stick is inside the slot, it is installed.
You and I know that this is not correct. It actually sits in there quite nicely without really being correctly installed. It may even stay in place once the machine is the correct side up, but it will NOT run. Imaging the damage if it falls out. Little gold pins rampaging around a live motherboard! Just being careful
P
Uh Oh
by RaeAtkinson - 12/9/05 2:00 PM In reply to: Consider by mrmacfixit
That would be a scary thing if those little gold pins are poking holes into the motherboard. 
that would be terrible 
Alrighty, I will be more thorough in my explanations. You are surely right about someone poking around not knowing what they are doing.
Cheap ram for iMac
by taboma - 12/18/05 6:17 PM In reply to: RAM for iMac by mrmacfixit
Check out NewEgg.com in California for memory also. I recently purchased 512M for $79. Ram gets cheaper every day. Wherever you go try to get free shipping.
Peter suggested 1GB. Go for it. You will love it!
-Kevin
Yes, Get More RAM Now.
by Bellette - 12/16/05 3:52 AM In reply to: Adding ram to an older imac by etancixelsydMore RAM will improve the performance of your Mac. Easy to install, ask you AppleStore for where and price (your model), Ross.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
