[bibbo118]

I was looking on Crucial.com for a 1 gb memory upgrade to my iMac 20" G5 (from recommendation on another thread) and I have a question.

There are 2 different memory modules available. One is about $118 for what's listed as a "4200" module ... and the other is a "5300" listed for about $158. My question is ... will either work on my iMac and, if so, is it worth the extra $40 to go for the "5300" instead of the "4200"?

Thanks!

[bradoesch]

The RAM will run at 4200 speed even if you buy a 5300 modules.

The only reason to buy 5300 is for compatibility with another machine that requires 5300. If that RAM is staying with your iMac for life there's no need to spend the extra $$$.

[ghporter]

It is always the case that RAM rated at higher than the computer needs will be used only at the speed the computer can do. Think of this in terms of the speed ratings on tires: you can get tires rated at 200MPH and put them on a Ford Festiva (which probably couldn't go 100MPH downhill with a tail wind) and they'll still work.

Right now faster DDR2 RAM costs more than slower DDR2 RAM. But DDR RAM is often priced differently; you can often get PC3200 DDR for less than the same capacity PC2700 DDR. It's all about what the manufacturers are making, and right now they're making more of the faster DDR RAM. Don't expect this to show up in the DDR2 market for a while, though.