Buying Add'l Memory for PPC G5: What Kind Do I Buy?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Buying Add'l Memory for PPC G5: What Kind Do I Buy?

I have a dual 2 GHz PPC G5, currently with 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 (PC2-4200U-444). I've noticed lately my machine running pretty slowly (running most of CS3 all at once) and thought about buying additional memory in the hope that it will improve performance.

What brand of memory should I buy? Where do I buy it from? The memory that is currently in my machine came installed with it, so should I buy the memory that is available in the Apple Store?

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question. It's just that I've heard nightmare stories about buying inferior memory and I really don't want to run into problems like that.

PPC G5 Dual 2GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.4), 2GB

Posted on Jul 8, 2008 10:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

Steve Boultbee

Level 5

4,100 points

Jul 8, 2008 10:58 AM in response to Peter Noah

Based on the current RAM specs, you've got a "Late 2005" G5, one of the dual-core models.

I've always purchased my memory from OWC. Good prices, lifetime warranty on the RAM, and they're a Mac retailer, so everything they sell is going to work in a Mac.

Crucial is also another good source for quality Mac compatible RAM. Whatever you do, don't buy it from Apple - you'll pay through the nose for it.

You definitely need more RAM than you have now if you're running CS3 a lot. I'd recommend that you add at least another 4GB of RAM to what you have now. 4GB will set you back only $100 from OWC.

Reply

Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Jul 8, 2008 11:09 AM in response to Peter Noah

OWC Samsung:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/42DDR2SAMP2G/

Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/mac/

(see you already got those recommendations, when in doubt, start with the Crucial memory selector to get their recommendations)

Adobe: optimize performance -
http://www.adobe.com/go/kb401089

http://homepage.mac.com/boots911/.Public/PhotoshopAccelerationBasics2.4W.pdf

I would hope you already have something like a 3 or 4-drive setup already (boot, scratch, data).

Helps to clone a system from time to time, along with running Disk Warrior, and perhaps look into a faster drive(s).

http://www.barefeats.com/harper9.html

Reply

Answer 3

Peter Noah Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 8, 2008 11:19 AM in response to The hatter

I'm glad I posted this. Not knowing very much about hardware, I've never considered a 3- or 4-drive setup, but now I see I should.

Thanks so much for these recommendations and tips!

Reply