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koshercuts · Sep 5, 2004, 01:36 AM

Ordered my 1st G5 today with 1GB RAM. Was told it could take up to 4GB of RAM -- which got me thinking, how much of a difference in performance does it really make going from 1GB upwards? I see 2GB of RAM advertised on EBAY for $499.

I edit digital video and work with FCP 4 and related software (Soundtrack, Livetype, Cleaner, etc...) Am I going to notice a $500 difference by purchasing and installing this 2GB RAM deal? Can the difference in performance really be worth an extra $500?

Scotttheking · Sep 5, 2004, 02:19 AM

For what that software costs, I'd want all the performance I could get. $500 isn't much compared to the cost of all that software, and it'll give at least some benefit. Crucial has 1GB PC3200 sticks for $253 each. I'd get a pair, and enjoy.

angelmb · Sep 5, 2004, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
For what that software costs, I'd want all the performance I could get.

I could not say it better. 1 GB RAM is OK to do minor works with 'minor' apps. but with video on mind... 4 GB RAM sounds great.

aaanorton · Sep 5, 2004, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by angelmb:
... 4 GB RAM sounds great.

Except that, as of right now, no app can take advantage of more than 2 GB RAM. So getting 2 more GB (3 GB total) would be fine for now.
And I'd recommend Crucial too. Anything but eBay for RAM.

koshercuts · Sep 5, 2004, 11:06 AM

thanks for the replies guys, but still...no word on if it's worth it or not. it's one thing to say, hell ya! why not! max out the RAM! everyone loves something "loaded" -- but i'm wondering what really is the difference. once you get to 1 GB level, is there any practical reason to go further, or is this just a gimmicky way to get users to spend more $$? even within this thread, one person recommends going with 3GB while another says software can't take advantage of more than 2GB. are there any definitive answers to be found on this?

koshercuts · Sep 5, 2004, 11:07 AM

in other words...

has anyone gone from a 1GB set-up to something higher and noticed a significant difference worth writing about?

chris v · Sep 5, 2004, 11:21 AM

Here ya go:

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G5/8GB_RA...ram_tests.html

With Photoshop anyway, it makes a massive difference, with larger images anyway. I saw it here when I went fron 512 to 1.5 GB (wish I could afford more).

koshercuts · Sep 5, 2004, 11:30 AM

cool. thanks!

Rev-O · Sep 5, 2004, 11:41 AM

I went from 512 mb to 1.5 gb and noticed things running nicer. At 1.5 gb, everything seems to operate at a comfortable speed, so I've not added any more.

Oh, and I got my ram thru Crucial, as well. Buy quality ram from a known and trusted vendor.

balls · Sep 5, 2004, 02:15 PM

Kingston memory is good, as well.

koshercuts · Sep 5, 2004, 11:04 PM

Ok, so I'm sold on the RAM upgrade, and over at Crucial, my budget will allow for two

512MB � CT352879 DDR PC3200 CL=3 Non-parity US $92.99 (each)

Now is there anything I should know about installing them myself? I'm guessing it's pretty simple.

Is there a recommended web site for DIY instruction on G5 memory installation?

FYI, I can barely change a lightbulb...

Eug Wanker · Sep 5, 2004, 11:12 PM

The theoretical limit is 16 GB. The practical limit is 8 GB. The cost effective limit is 4 GB.

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Except that, as of right now, no app can take advantage of more than 2 GB RAM. So getting 2 more GB (3 GB total) would be fine for now.

There are several OS X apps that can take more than 2 GB RAM. OS X 10.3 has a hard limit of 4 GB per app however, and apps like Photoshop are limited to 2 GB.

Still, even if your apps are limited to 2 GB, you can run multiple 2 GB apps. eg. Photoshop + Illustrator running simultaneously with uber-large files will run faster on a 4 GB machine than on a 2 GB machine.

Rev-O · Sep 6, 2004, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by koshercuts:
Ok, so I'm sold on the RAM upgrade, and over at Crucial, my budget will allow for two

512MB � CT352879 DDR PC3200 CL=3 Non-parity US $92.99 (each)

Now is there anything I should know about installing them myself? I'm guessing it's pretty simple.

Is there a recommended web site for DIY instruction on G5 memory installation?

FYI, I can barely change a lightbulb...

Very simple. Instructions on the inside of the G5's door. On mine I hadta kinda 'force' one 512 stick into place, as it seemed to be stubborn. Worked just fine, tho.

Nothing like the feeling of 'forcing' a $100 stick of ram into a $3000 computer. Gave me the willies.

MrForgetable · Sep 7, 2004, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Rev-O:
Very simple. Instructions on the inside of the G5's door. On mine I hadta kinda 'force' one 512 stick into place, as it seemed to be stubborn. Worked just fine, tho.

Nothing like the feeling of 'forcing' a $100 stick of ram into a $3000 computer. Gave me the willies.

Man, I felt just like that when I was installing RAM into my sister's iBook! I can imagine on a computer worth 3 times the iBook

videian28 · Sep 7, 2004, 01:08 PM

Anything but eBay for RAM.

bah, bought 1.5gb ram from ebay, installed and working flawlessly, check the references and bid without worry

aaanorton · Sep 7, 2004, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by videian28:
bah, bought 1.5gb ram from ebay, installed and working flawlessly, check the references and bid without worry

Good for you. Still say eBay RAM is a bad idea.