1GB RAM stick for Power Mac G4 MDD Okay?

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Level 1

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1GB RAM stick for Power Mac G4 MDD Okay?

My Power Mac 1.25 GHz dual-boot G4 currently has 768 MB of DDR SDRAM. One slot has a 256 MB DDR SDRAM PC2600U-25330, a second slot has a 512 MB DDR SDRAM PC2600U-25330 stick, and two slots are empty. The MDD will recognize up to 2GB of RAM.

I have a really good deal on a Apple G5 Power Mac G4 MDD 1GB DDR PC3200 RAM Memory stick. The seller says it will work in a G5 and also my G4. Is a 1GB stick safe to buy or should I try to find two 512s instead? I don't have "matching pairs" now and wonder how critical that is?

Dual-boot mirror-door G4, MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), PB 1400, PLW NTR, iSight

Posted on Feb 15, 2010 1:19 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,350 points

Feb 15, 2010 1:58 PM in response to tmbrowng

If the RAM was working in a older G5, it will probably work in the MDD. If the RAM is new and not pulled from a working Mac, I'd feel less confident unless the vendor in Mac-savvy

That said, there has been a mixed response to using the larger modules in MDDs. Some that work in a PC may not work in a Mac.

The RAM max stays at 2G regardless of what modules you use. Matching is mot a big issue. Mine has 3 X 512MB and 1 x 256MB and runs great.

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Answer 2

Feb 15, 2010 2:18 PM in response to tmbrowng

Other World Computing only has 256MB & 512MB RAM modules for the G4 MDD. http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=175 I would think that if 1GB modules would work, they would sell them. Give OWC a call & ask.

The G5 RAM is PC3200 & may or may not be compatible with your G4. Even if it is, it will only operate at your Mac's processor speed & not 3200. The G5 Macs require matched pairs, but the G4 does not.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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