[macbarry]

I didn't load up on RAM from Apple and am looking elsewhere for extra PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM

But I had some basic RAM questions:

1) what is ECC RAM and do I need this?

2) I''m seeing PC2700 512MB chips for $75 http://www.pricewatch.com/ and some for as much as $135. What's the reason for the large price difference?

3) What's the best place on the web to buy RAM for my new PM?

Thanks in advance

[superfula]

Cheap prices usually = cheap ram. It's one thing I try not to skimp on. A couple friends buy cheapo stuff from compusa and haven't had any troubles, but I'd rather not take the chance.

Crucial.com is a great place for ram. It's not the cheapest, but it's arguable the best.

[Scotttheking]

Originally posted by macbarry:
I didn't load up on RAM from Apple and am looking elsewhere for extra PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM

But I had some basic RAM questions:

1) what is ECC RAM and do I need this?

ECC ram, and no, you don't need it.

2) I''m seeing PC2700 512MB chips for $75 http://www.pricewatch.com/ and some for as much as $135. What's the reason for the large price difference?

Quality.

3) What's the best place on the web to buy RAM for my new PM?

Good brands are corsair, crucial, micron, kingston, and there are a few others that I can't think of.
crucial.com is a good place, along with any of the above brands from a place like newegg.com

[Agent69]

I agree. I only buy memory from Crucial and I've never had a problem. Crucial also has an menu selection process to get the memory you need for your Mac, even if you don't know what kind you need.

[residentEvil]

i vote for ramjet.com

never have had a problem buying memory (3 different powerbooks and 1 desktop) in the last two years from them. great price, shipped promptly and never a defect.

personal opinion, just like those for crucial.

[Scotttheking]

Originally posted by residentEvil:
personal opinion, just like those for crucial.

Mine's professional opinion

I've used generic in some systems.

I put it this way: Can I afford to have the system down if the ram fails. If yes, I'll toss in generic if the generic really gives me a cost savings. If not, I get name brand from a place that will warranty it for life and send me a replacement in a cross ship. Plus I keep spares.

[tikki]

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
I put it this way: Can I afford to have the system down if the ram fails. If yes, I'll toss in generic if the generic really gives me a cost savings. If not, I get name brand from a place that will warranty it for life and send me a replacement in a cross ship. Plus I keep spares.

That's a good way of thinking about it.

[DinoG4]

Macbarry, did you receive your new PM yet? if so ...is it QUIET ? thanks

[macbarry]

Thanks for the feedback on the RAM - btw i also found out what ECC RAM is: "ECC is a form of code that can check and correct errors that occur in memory" read more about it here:

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=3

Essentially as was posted earlier i really don't "need" ECC RAM - and as this article above seems to indicate i may not in fact WANT it...

As for finding a ram vendor i thought I might go with Ramjet except they have their 512MB PC2700 chip price at $132 - and i found a Samsung chip elsewhere or $91... is Ramjet worth an extra $41??

Meanwhile, my new PM is scheduled to ship "on or before" Feb. 4 I'll post my impressions after it gets here. Yeah - I'm also courious about the noise issue...

[CheesePuff]

The Apple interview with MacCentral.com said that noise was their number one compliant and its been fixed.