PC133 memory is in the Powermac AGP now: 4X256=1GB
If I wanted to upgrade further (under Tiger it will recognize at least 1.5 GB) must PC 133 Ram be used?
I am hopeful something like (just pulling numbers out of the air) PC 2700 512 MB boards or other boards (if they have the correct form factor on the notches, pins, and such) would "clock down" to the PC 133 speeds.
Anyone have experience to share regarding "major clocking down" of memory boards in general, or for both the Powermac AGP and the IMac Trayloaders?
While I suspect carefully cutting new notches so "wrong" boards physically fit into the AGP memory slots would be fruitless ... I might be tempted to try that if anyone else has had any success re-engineering memory cards and still had the cards work in the slower bus machines, too.
[While I may only see 1/2 of the total Ram, if I found a great deal (like pulls from non-working computers or great sales at a big box store, etc.) that may not be an issue for me. The AGP has 4 slots, so 4 free/inexpensive boards at 1 GB would easily max out the AGP even if only 1/2 teh total megs were seen.]
After seeing where some big box stores had great prices on memory that did not match the PC 133 rating ... I just started to wonder what would happen trying to have the memor clock down so much, and/or modifying the boards to make them fit physically as needed.
Any information from people that may have already gone down those paths would be appreciated. Thank you.
David
and it's not just the clock speed. memory layout, and pinouts/ins, plus different features in how the ram works, is the major difference. i wouldn't even try it. You can end up destroying both the memory, AND the machine.
Voltage too. PC133 RAM is at 3.3v. DDR RAM runs 2.5v or lower. It's quite likely to burnout if it was tried in a PC133 board.
DDR Ram DIMMS have a physically different card-edge connector then SDRAM ones, so unless you use a rubber mallet to stuff it into your motherboard there's not a whole lot to worry about in terms of accidentally frying your motherboard. *Breaking* it, maybe...
There's still plenty of places selling PC-133 RAM out there in Internet Land. It's starting to get expensive, but... maybe it's time for a new computer anyway. ;^b
--Peace
Thank you for the replies.
While I have had some successes in PC Land with close ... but not exact matches on memory, I have no 1st hand experiences with major downclocking Mac memory.
True there is a fair amount of the 512 MB 133 memory out there at not too bad pricing.
I had wondered just how big a range of tolerances existed after seeing some prices from the "Big Box" stores on some ram. Occasionally the 1 GB sticks have come on in pricing.
Just wanted to be sure I was not "missing out" on what might have been a good thing.
David
I've got to voice a concern I've had in my head for a while.
Why is it that there are people on this board that claim to computer techs but don't know the MOST BASIC things for example: the physical difference between ddr and standard sdram?
It's understandable for the average user...But people who go into other people's computers as experts and not be sure what ddr even is and to charge for labor?
That reeks of quackery!
Sorry for the thread hijacking but I'm quite serious. I can't tell how many customers I've had that complained about their remarkably incompetent computer guy that charged them lots of money AND acted like he was superior while having barely any more knowledge than the average user.
Being able to install an OS does not make a computer tech.
Yeah, and I end up cleaning up after those guys
Yet another reason that I HATE geek squad
Is it really that bad out there? It's hard to imagine anyone who claimed to be a computer expert who didn't even know the physical differences between DDR and SDRAM. That would be an interesting thread for someone to start: "What are the worst messes you have had to clean up in computer repair?"
In re:
"Why is it that there are people on this board that claim to computer techs but don't know the MOST BASIC things for example: the physical difference between ddr and standard sdram?"
So have you seen an adapter or hack for those physical differences in memory boards, yet?
My original post was admittedly more of a "fishing expedition" for information than a trip to the grocery store with a list of items to rush in, pick up, and rush out again.
... And the flowers along the way do smell good, too. Not sure if they were honeysuckle, or roses. Does not matter, though. They smell great! If you do not have time to smell the flowers and ponder notions that appear impossible on the surface along the way ...
The original post was not limited to the PC 2700 boards, or simply modify to make it fit.
On a customer's machine, I do go by the specs carefully and check 2 times.
On my own machines, I might try the "unorthodoxed" ... if others have reported successes. I prefer to stay on fairly close to the leading edge ... but well away from the bleading edge.
If I ponder, post, and see what replies come forth, why would that make any difference to the person quoted at the start of this post? Sure it may inconvenience billions of electrons ... but no harm is done.
[Maybe there really is an adapter for the memory boards out there, too ... but I will not bank on it.]
In this crazy world: butterflies theoretically can not fly ... but they do! Cats "rumble," but we do not know how they make the rumbling sound.
Now that I think about it, there may have been a notice to be read at the time people joined Applefritter that may speak to posting comments disrespectful to others.
If there were any "No Fishing" signs here, I missed them, though.
Perhaps after re-reading any such notices for new comers, the person qouted at the start of this posting will be able to find much more positive and productive ways to spend their time that may also be appreciated. Perhaps that poster will find other venues to apply their great intellectual power, instead. Time will tell.
Was there a mocking bird that just tried to peck me on the head???
Hmm. I only see a dove or two.
Those old mocking birds can sure be pesky.
[ It is different watching the mocking birds dive bomb wildlife for some reason, though.]
BTW: I second the call for the worst messes that techs had to clean up after ...... and also things that were not supposed to work, but did ... legally, for that matter!
[Yeah, I know it is easy to create a pirated copies of ___, and install it too. However that is OUTSIDE the nature of the thread for tips I have in mind for a "it should not have worked, but it did ... LEGALLY" thread.
Peace
David
Unfortunately you are stuck with using PC100/133 RAM in your G4.
Your G4 should recognize 2.0GB of RAM under any version of OS X, and only 1.5GB under OS 9. (using four 512MB PC100 or PC133 chips)
But careful which 512MB sticks you buy as they may only show up as 256MB. I always use double-sided RAM and always shows up in full.
I am happy with 1 GB Ram. Being stuck with the PC 133 is not awful. I thought I was limited to the PC 133, but I just wanted to be sure there was not an inexpensive alternative upgrade path available somehow. Suspiciom confirmed.
Agreed on the memory specs. details caution, too:
I even had an on line chat with a tech support person about using a specific Kingston memory board [w/ Kingston part # specified] in a machine where the machine model, serial # and tech support information right off the case were provided. Tech support said the memory board would work in that major brand computer.
After matching the part # specified in the chat to the # on the Kingston package, I installed the new memory. However the major brand computer would not recognize that Kingston brand stick! Then I ordered the stick directly from the major manufacturer. More $$ but it did work.
[I also showed the customer a copy of the chat session stating the first stick would work fine. So bad ... but the customer and I both knew there was a "reliable source" consulted before that "mistake" was made on the new stick of memory. When In doubt, I tell the customer to be sure, they should order from the original manufacturer. However this stick should work according to a reliable source. In this case: the on line chat with tech support, no less! ]
David