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raNdOM_97 · Mar 3, 2006, 10:26 AM

I have a friend who wants to upgrade her G3.
She currently has only 64 MB of RAM installed.
Mac retailers in the area have the RAM in stock but the cost is rather high.

My question is: Can I not use any manufacturer's 168 pin PC100 SDRAM?
Or should I tell her this is her only option?

Thanks all!
raNdOM

tooki · Mar 3, 2006, 10:45 AM

Standard PC100 should work fine -- with some restrictions. Just make sure it's real PC100 -- that model's memory controller cannot handle the high-density chips used in most PC133 RAM, for example. With those chips, only 1/2 the capacity will be recognized.

What this means is that a 256MB PC100 stick for a B&W must have 8 chips on each side of the module. If it's 256MB and has just one side populated, or only 4 chips per side, it won't work.

Similarly, don't use 512MB modules, they'll only be recognized as 256MB.

A good Mac vendor, such as Other World Computing (www.macsales.com) will have modules specifically listed for the B&W G3; the ones that don't say G3 will not work right.

The prices should be around $25-40 for 256MB.

tooki

This link http://www.ramseeker.com/scripts/sor...sortSize=256mb will show you a bunch of vendors with RAM specifically for that model.

bowwowman · Mar 3, 2006, 10:47 AM

B&W's can use ANY brand of ram with the following specs:

168pin SDRAM, PC100, 3.3v, 8ns, NON-ECC, 16 X 64mb low density, meaning that there are 16 small integrated circuit chips on the board, 8 on each side. Some PC133 sticks will work also, but only if the have the same specs as above.

Check www.ramseeker.com for the best prices on all ram, and dont buy it locally unless you can find some at or near as the same prices listed at ramseeker, remember to add in a few $3-5 for shipping into the comparison.

Also, if you have any "mom & pop" PEECEE shops close by that works on old computers, check there too, they may have some laying around from upgrades that they might let you have for a reasonable price

raNdOM_97 · Mar 3, 2006, 10:50 AM

Thanks guys!
All EXCELLENT info.

I'll swing by one of my local retailers here in Toronto and grab the right stuff now.

Again - thank you!!!

tooki · Mar 3, 2006, 10:50 AM

Thanks for posting the specs, I didn't have them handy!

tooki

lothar56 · Mar 3, 2006, 11:02 AM

Look out on here for deals too, a couple weeks ago I got 2 256MB chips for $25 shipped. One ended up being high density so it wouldn't work in my beige or B&W G3's so I sold it to a friend with a G4 for $15.