[Zaphod]

So I'm buying a 1.8Ghz G5, stock. Meaning it still just has 512mb of Ram, the 64MB 5200 Nvidia card and the 160GB HD. For $500, not bad I'd say. I want to upgrade the RAM though, but I don't want to pay the steep Apple prizes for a good 2GB. Any suggestions guys/gals?

[MichiganRich]

Excellent deal, great investment. I like crucial.com for RAM, although I've bought cheaper from RamJet and 18004Memory as well. Crucial's site is very professional and the RAM they sell is a notch above the cheapest brands (in general).

[Zaphod]

The RAM doesn't have to be Mac specific? Also, any info on upgrading the video card to something around 256?

[Big Mac]

No, RAM doesn't have to be Mac specific, just Mac compatible. The graphics card, however, has to be Mac specific (or hacked off of eBay if you choose), and your options are limited. If it's a Rev A or Rev B G5, it takes PC3200/DDR 400 non-EEC DIMMs. For AGP graphics cards, you can find the Radeon 9800, the X800 or the Nvidia 6800.

[Zaphod]

I've heard of people using PC video cards in Macs before... Is that possible?

[Big Mac]

Yes, it's possible. But with (real) Macs the cards need to at least be flashed with Mac firmware, which isn't always possible (depending on the card). With the Mac Pro, it can run non-Mac cards - people have successfully done it here.

[Markintosh_X]

I have G5 Dual 1.8 with 3,5gb memory - all memory regular PC memory - PC3200 - working GREAT - I have this machine almost 2 years.

[Zaphod]

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

That's what I'm thinking of getting, but its Dual Channel. I don't know if the G5 supports Dual Channel, or what Dual Channel even is. Will this work with my G5?