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pruettsk · Feb 9, 2005, 02:39 PM

I just ordered a refurb dual 1.8 from the Apple store for $1699... not bad, huh?

<sarcasm> It's got a whopping 80gb drive + 256mb of RAM. </sarcasm>

I need to increase my RAM to at least a gig, maybe two. I run a photography business & I know I can survive with just adding 1gb for now, but while I'm at it... whatever. This is my first desktop Mac (I own 2 powerbooks), so I'm a little in the dark. RAM sticks get installed in pairs, right? Should I get 2x512, 2x1gb, or scrap the 256mb & get 4x512? What's the cost comparison?

HDs. I'll just run system stuff off the 80. No problem. I do however need lots of storage for work, plus another drive for backup (possibly FW, I own a Maxtor 250gb for one of the powerbooks already). What 200gb+ drives are recommended, and where can I get 'em at a good price?

I'd dig around the web but I figure I'll ask the experts first... thanks in advance!
~ scott

mad cow disease · Feb 9, 2005, 03:47 PM

Drive brands in this order:

1.) Seagate
2.) Seagate
3.) Seagate
4.) Maxtor/Western Digital
5.) Hitachi/Samsung/Etc.

Seagate drives come with a five-year warranty (compared to 1-3 years for the rest), are DEAD silent, and although a bit slower are generally rock-solid. I have had ZERO Seagate drives quit on me, whereas I've RMAed a billion of the rest. If you MUST go with WD or Maxtor, go with Maxtor. Their drives are quieter and generally more reliable, although in this case they've gotten worse as time goes on.

Outpost.com usually has some good deals (if you pay more than .50-.60/GB you're getting ripped off) on Seagate drives after rebates.

As far as RAM goes unless it's a required dual-channel it doesn't need to be installed in pairs. Stick to quality RAM: Corsair is the best but it comes at a steep price. Generally, I stick to Crucial, Mushkin, or Kingston, although I have a bias toward Crucial memory. You could, ideally, get cheapo RAM but with good brand-name chips on it - Hynix, Samsung, Micron, etc.

For hot deals on computer equipment, let me give a shameless plug to Anandtech HD:

http://forums.anandtech.com/categori...amp;entercat=y

pruettsk · Feb 9, 2005, 05:18 PM

Excellent, thanks for the info. I've heard good things about Seagate drives & will definitely look into them further. Crucial has been the memory brand of choice for the PCs here & I have a buddy who swears by them. I don't want to spend a lot on this stuff, but am willing to invest a little more for the quality and long-term usability.

Detrius · Feb 9, 2005, 05:20 PM

Apple's Power Mac G5s require memory to be installed in pairs. If you go with two 1GB modules, you could install two more at a later date. If you go with 4 512s, you would have to scrap them all to upgrade.

And as far as hard drives, I would avoid western digital like the plague. Seagate is of course really good.

pruettsk · Feb 9, 2005, 08:11 PM

good points, thanks.

awcopus · Feb 9, 2005, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by pruettsk:
I just ordered a refurb dual 1.8 from the Apple store for $1699... not bad, huh? <sarcasm> It's got a whopping 80gb drive + 256mb of RAM. </sarcasm>

I need to increase my RAM to at least a gig, maybe two. I run a photography business & I know I can survive with just adding 1gb for now, but while I'm at it... whatever. This is my first desktop Mac (I own 2 powerbooks), so I'm a little in the dark. RAM sticks get installed in pairs, right? Should I get 2x512, 2x1gb, or scrap the 256mb & get 4x512? What's the cost comparison?

HDs. I'll just run system stuff off the 80. No problem. I do however need lots of storage for work, plus another drive for backup (possibly FW, I own a Maxtor 250gb for one of the powerbooks already). What 200gb+ drives are recommended, and where can I get 'em at a good price?

I'd dig around the web but I figure I'll ask the experts first... thanks in advance!
~ scott

Due diligence on HDs at http://www.storagereview.com. The Maxtor 300GB / 16MB buffer is currently the site's premium choice in the 200+ gb category. I've never had a really bad experience with an HD, but have only ever purchased WD, Seagate, Hitachi, and Maxtor.

Currently, my system is loaded with the Maxtor's and they've performed great.

People underestimate RAMJET. I use them and Crucial exclusively (after a bad experience years ago with memory-to-go cheapo RAM).

MORT A POTTY · Feb 9, 2005, 09:40 PM

HD(s): http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...359&DEPA=0

RAM: Crucial is good, as is Corsair, Kingston, Viking, OCZ, and a few more. just get what you can afford, but remember when dealing with latency, its a lowest common denominator situation. the highest latency between any stick of RAM will be the default. so purchase accordingly.

Crusoe · Feb 10, 2005, 05:17 AM

A few things yet mentioned but perhaps you already know.

If you're keeping the 80GB in there, you'll only have room for one other harddrive internally. The G5s only have two hard drive bays, one is taken by the stock drive. There are a few 3rd party add-ins to mount more drives internally, pricey and they block a few of your PCI slots. That Maxtor 300GB 16MB cache sounds sweet.

Also I would just get 2x512 and keep the 2x128 and see if that is sufficient, if it's not yank the 256MB and get another 2x512 or 2x1GB. It's a baby step approach so if after 6 months you require more RAM it'll likely be cheaper.

pruettsk · Feb 11, 2005, 04:22 PM

interesting... I'm liking the recommendation of the 300gb maxtor. I don't think it'll hurt to have an external drive for backup anyway, simply so data can be stored off-site anyway. I may shuffle some files around & use part of the 300gb drive over the network w/ my powerbook & just make my 250gb FW drive part of the G5 system.

re: RAM, I think I'm going to go w/ 2x512 purely for monetary reasons right now. I still have a couple pieces of software to buy & I can't pour a ton of cash into hardware, as much as I want to. 1.25gb of RAM should definitely fit the bill for now. Plus crucial.com has 512 sticks for $75/ea... not bad.

thanks guys.