[Rob van dam]

I have a 20" imac and since i will most definatley be upgrading to tiger i wanted to know how much is enough. it came with 256mb ram and wanted to know if an extra 256 is enough witch would make it 512(is it true it runs at 128 bit) or should i go for another 512)



My friend who works for apple will install it. is it difficult to install. any tips like wiping down the table and using an anti static mat.to prevent static electricity

(i still cant belive how cheap i got this machine $1899 oz when retail its $2999 sorry i cant stop gloating about that staff sale they had)

[southtdi]

The amount of ram depends on how you use your computer. If you are just using it for the basic stuff (word processing, email, internet and such) then 512 should be fine. If you are doing more intense stuff with video and such then I would go for more.

As for prepping a work area you just need a soft surface such as a towel to lay the unit facedown on. I would also recommend an antistatic wriststrap to be on the cautious side. Other than that it's very easy to put in ram on an iMac. Three screws on the bottom (if this is an iMac G5, which it sounds like it is) that will not fall out, lift up on bottom of back, take off and the ram slots are right there on the right side next to the proicessor.

One thing, be sure to put in the ram in matching pairs. If you have 256mb then add another 256mb stick. If you want to go more then add that in pairs too. Uneven ram limits the data bus to 64 bit while matched ram gets the most out of the machine by keeping the data bus at 128 bit.

[Rob van dam]

Originally posted by southtdi:
The amount of ram depends on how you use your computer. If you are just using it for the basic stuff (word processing, email, internet and such) then 512 should be fine. If you are doing more intense stuff with video and such then I would go for more.

As for prepping a work area you just need a soft surface such as a towel to lay the unit facedown on. I would also recommend an antistatic wriststrap to be on the cautious side. Other than that it's very easy to put in ram on an iMac. Three screws on the bottom (if this is an iMac G5, which it sounds like it is) that will not fall out, lift up on bottom of back, take off and the ram slots are right there on the right side next to the proicessor.

One thing, be sure to put in the ram in matching pairs. If you have 256mb then add another 256mb stick. If you want to go more then add that in pairs too. Uneven ram limits the data bus to 64 bit while matched ram gets the most out of the machine by keeping the data bus at 128 bit.

I'm actually using it for what u said word processing, email, internet but in the future i want to do some light i movie and im getting into garageband now.So for all this stuff will 512mb ram be enough cause i cant afford 1 gb.I know i can get 3rd party ram but since i dont live anywere near a store its to much of hassle catching the train to return it.

[southtdi]

Just get the 512 for now and then upgrade later on when you need the 1gb. Ram prices will most likely continue a decline and you can always sell the other ram if you need too. 512 will not be that great for the movie stuff in the future. I have tried that in the past myself and it didn't really work out.

[Rob van dam]

Originally posted by southtdi:
Just get the 512 for now and then upgrade later on when you need the 1gb. Ram prices will most likely continue a decline and you can always sell the other ram if you need too. 512 will not be that great for the movie stuff in the future. I have tried that in the past myself and it didn't really work out.

ok cool then ill have a browse around at ram prices cause im on 256 and its starting to slow.