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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / January 2006Matching RAM
The Apple Support page http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300082 says that I should use matching RAM modules in my machine to get the best speed. I currently have a single 512 MB module that came with the system, and I'd like to add another. I'm looking at: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=58682 9&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 since it's so cheap. Will this memory work at 128-bit with the preinstalled one? Thanks. > The Apple Support page > http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300082 says that I > should use matching RAM modules in my machine to get the best speed. Correct. > I currently have a single 512 MB module that came with the system, and > I'd like to add another. I'm looking at: > http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=58682 9&Tab=2&NoMapp=0 > since it's so cheap. Will this memory work at 128-bit with the > preinstalled one? If it's the same size and type as the one you currently have, there shouldn't be a problem. Be sure you install it into the correct RAM socket in order to get the speed-boost. (Each socket in one bank has a matching socket in the other bank.) Your owner's manual should tell you all about this. -- David > If it's the same size and type as the one you currently have, there > shouldn't be a problem. That sounds hopeful. What exactly do you mean by "type"? Are you refering to the fact that it's PC3200 DDR? > Be sure you install it into the correct RAM socket in order to get the speed-boost. > (Each socket in one bank has a matching socket in the other bank.) Your owner's manual > should tell you all about this. I do plan to follow the owner's manual, but I'm not sure I understand you. I've looked inside the computer already, and there seems to be only one place to put a new memory stick. Just where else would it go? And on a side note, is there any way to confirm that the new module is operating at 128 bits? Thanks very much for the help. >> If it's the same size and type as the one you currently have, there >> shouldn't be a problem. > > That sounds hopeful. What exactly do you mean by "type"? Are you > refering to the fact that it's PC3200 DDR? That's part of it. But CAS latencies should also match. If they don't, the system will (I think) use the lowest-common-denominator parameters for both of them. Depending on what brand Apple pre-installed, you may find this conveniently printed on a sticker on the DIMM. (I know Micron/Crucial uses such stickers.) Otherwise, the Apple System Profiler should tell you what you need. > I do plan to follow the owner's manual, but I'm not sure I understand > you. I've looked inside the computer already, and there seems to be > only one place to put a new memory stick. Just where else would it go? I thought you were using a PowerMac. If so, there should be 8 DIMM sockets in two banks. The sockets are paired - each socket in one bank has a matching socket in the other bank. When installing matched pairs, you want to make sure the paired sockets are used. If I misunderstood and you're really using an iMac, then this isn't a concern. You only have two sockets (or only one if you have the most recent model iMac.) > And on a side note, is there any way to confirm that the new module is > operating at 128 bits? Don't know. Perhaps the System Profiler will tell you. -- David > But CAS latencies should also match. The sticker said CL 3, so I imagine that referes to CAS latencies. In that case, my prospective module would work. > If I misunderstood and you're really using an iMac, then this isn't a > concern. You only have two sockets (or only one if you have the most > recent model iMac.) I am using an iMac, so that's cleared up. Do the newest iMacs really only have one? > > And on a side note, is there any way to confirm that the new module is > > operating at 128 bits? > Don't know. Perhaps the System Profiler will tell you. I didn't see it in there, but I'll keep poking around. Thanks very much for the help. >> But CAS latencies should also match. > > The sticker said CL 3, so I imagine that referes to CAS latencies. In > that case, my prospective module would work. This means that if your second DIMM is CL=2, you either won't get interleaving or they'll both run at CL=3. >> If I misunderstood and you're really using an iMac, then this isn't a >> concern. You only have two sockets (or only one if you have the most >> recent model iMac.) > > I am using an iMac, so that's cleared up. Do the newest iMacs really > only have one? Yes. The newest models have 512M soldered to the mainboard and a single DIMM socket for expantion (which can accept up to 2G.) -- David |
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