Max RAM in iMac 333?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Wendell III - 11 May 2007 19:03 GMT

Hey all,

Does anyone know how much RAM can actually be crammed into one of these
iMac 333s? Do the 512MB or 1GB SDRAM SO-DIMMs work in these machines?

Thanks,
-Wendell
--

Reply to this Message

Anders Eklöf - 11 May 2007 20:53 GMT

> Hey all,
>
> Does anyone know how much RAM can actually be crammed into one of these
> iMac 333s? Do the 512MB or 1GB SDRAM SO-DIMMs work in these machines?

Most likely not.

Signature

I recommend Macs to my friends, and Windows machines
to those whom I don't mind billing by the hour

Reply to this Message

David Empson - 12 May 2007 04:04 GMT

> Does anyone know how much RAM can actually be crammed into one of these
> iMac 333s? Do the 512MB or 1GB SDRAM SO-DIMMs work in these machines?

No. Largest size is 256 MB per SODIMM, for a total of 512 MB.

Signature

David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz

Reply to this Message

dg - 12 May 2007 08:39 GMT

> Hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> -Wendell
> --

512 MB in the form of two 256 MB SO-DIMMs. Note that the upper- and
lower-bay memory card slots require different memory (they have
different bit-widths), the cards for the lower bay are slightly more
expensive. I recommend http://www.otherworldcomputing.com for
guaranteed compatability & lifetime warranty, they're a Mac specialty
outfit. Theoretically, there's no reason I'm aware of the upper bay
couldn't be used for a 512 MB SO-DIMM, but finding a compatible memory
stick would be a matter of finding out what the memory address limits
are for the iMac's memory controller and finding a memory that matches
those characteristics; even then, the iMac's firmware may not count
past 512. The lower memory bay lacks even the upper bay's
flexibility, and from what I read back in its day the reason for
requiring disparate RAM was due to the low memory-address density of
the lower slot versus the physical size limitations on the upper slot.

I've also used the 256 MB SO-DIMM sold for the upper bay to upgrade
the RAM in my Dell C800 1GHz Pentium 3 laptop, after decomissioning my
old iMac. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, right?

Reply to this Message

David C. - 12 May 2007 21:34 GMT

> 512 MB in the form of two 256 MB SO-DIMMs. Note that the upper- and
> lower-bay memory card slots require different memory (they have
> different bit-widths), the cards for the lower bay are slightly more
> expensive.

Not true. Both slots use PC-66 SO-DIMMs.

The lower bay is more crowded, so you need a low-profile SO-DIMM
(physically smaller) to fit that slot, but there's nothing at all
preventing you from installing a low-profile SO-DIMM in both slots. As
a matter of fact, that's what RAM vendors recommend you do.

See also
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=iMac+%28G3%2D233%2C+266%2C+or+
333%29

> I recommend http://www.otherworldcomputing.com For guaranteed
> compatability & lifetime warranty, they're a Mac specialty outfit.

I visited their site:
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=61&type=Memory&TI=2541&shoupg
rds=Show+Upgrades

The two low-profile modules sold say they will work in either slot. The
full-size (2" tall) module says it will only work in the upper slot.

Again, this has nothing to do with the electrical characteristics of the
slot. It's purely a matter of what will physically fit in the extremely
cramped space apple provided for that lower slot.

> Theoretically, there's no reason I'm aware of the upper bay couldn't
> be used for a 512 MB SO-DIMM...

According to MacTracker, no, it won't work. Apple documents a maximum
of 128M in each slot (256M total). The 256M-in-each-slot we're
discussing is already pushing the board beyond its documented specs.

If there was a way to put a 512M DIMM in either slot, somebody would
have done it by now, and you would be able to find documentation
describing it.

-- David

Reply to this Message

Mac Forum / General / Hardware / May 2007

Max RAM in iMac 333?