PC2-4200 AND PC4200. Are they the same?

Question

PC2-4200 AND PC4200. Are they the same?

Hi everyone. I'm about to buy a 2Gb RAM module and I've found one in OWC that is PC4200 and with all the specs my iMac G5 iSight requires. The only difference is that Apple claims for a PC2-4200 (with the "2") and I don't know if the PC4200 is the right choice.

Is PC2-4200 the upgrade to PC4200 (PC2-4200 faster than PC4200)?
Should I buy this one?
Will it work?

Here are the Apple specs:

PC2-4200
unbuffered
nonparity
240-pin
533 MHz
DDR2 SDRAM

Here are the OWC specs:

2GB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz DIMM
True PC4200, Non Stacked 128x8 16 Device
Size: 2048MB (2GB)
240-pin DIM
128x8 device based 128x64 Module
8 Non-Stacked TRUE PC4200 Devices per side
Data Rate = 533MHz
CAS: 4.0
Low Noise 8-Layer PCB
Exceeds Apple/Intel Specifications
Fully complaint with JEDEC specifications
Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty

Thanks for your help and excuse my english.

iMac G5 (iSight) 2.1Ghz, 500Gb HD. Mac OS X (10.4.5) Interests: FCP editing, Music, Gaming.

iMac G5 (iSight) 2.1Ghz, 500Gb HD. Mac OS X (10.4.5) interests: FCP editing, Music, Gaming.

Posted on Feb 19, 2006 8:16 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 19, 2006 11:40 AM in response to Joel Mejia Gañan

No, they are definately not the same. They have an entirely different pin configuration and do not work enterchangeably. DDR has 184 pins and DDR2 has 240 pins.

Part of the problem is that different sites refer to the RAM differently. Most sites do have a configurator, like OWC, so if you use that to get the RAM, it will work.

OWC refers to it as "PC4200 DDR2" and while a different naming scheme than other sites use, it is the right stuff.

Both DDR and DDR2 are referred to sometimes by the speeds, which is how you can get a name like "PC-4200" which is also known as "DDR 533."

The stuff you mention from OWC will certainly work as it is the 240 pin RAM.

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Answer 2

Feb 19, 2006 1:32 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

THANKS ERIC.

I USED THE CONFIGURATOR AND I GOT THE ANSWER FROM IT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BE VERY SURE THERE WASN'T A MISTAKE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

iMac G5 (iSight) 2.1Ghz, 500Gb HD. Mac OS X (10.4.5) interests: FCP editing, Music, Gaming.

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