[Jake_11]

I am new to Macs, recently purchasing a 17" iMac 1.8Mhz. I am looking to upgrade the memory from the standard 256MB. I am used to Windows machines and I know that Kingston Hyper X and Corsair XMS is the choice for performance users. I would like to know does the same hold true to Macs. Would the iMac G5 benefit from the higher performance memory or would it be a waste of money? I also read in another thread the iMac supports dual channel memory, so I was thinking about purchasing 2 sticks of 512MB each. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

[PEHowland]

Originally posted by Jake_11:
I am new to Macs, recently purchasing a 17" iMac 1.8Mhz. I am looking to upgrade the memory from the standard 256MB. I am used to Windows machines and I know that Kingston Hyper X and Corsair XMS is the choice for performance users. I would like to know does the same hold true to Macs. Would the iMac G5 benefit from the higher performance memory or would it be a waste of money? I also read in another thread the iMac supports dual channel memory, so I was thinking about purchasing 2 sticks of 512MB each. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Higher Performance memory implies two things: 1) faster timings (eg, CAS latency, tRCD, tRCP, etc); and 2) ability to work at higher clock speeds. For most PC enthusiasts, the latter is of prime importance, as it allows them greater headroom in overclocking their machine. Overclocking a Mac is far harder than overclocking a PC, as their is no BIOS support for overclocking. Therefore, it's only timings that are of interest. However, not all PC memory will be stable in a Mac as the timings programmed in the memory's firmware may not be appropriate. You would therefore be better off getting memory specifically approved for the Mac - I would recommend something like Mushkin's Graphite memory for Macs. This is high performance and recommended for Macs - $222 for 2x512MB.

[Jake_11]

Thanks for the response. Is there an online store that you prefer?

[PEHowland]

Originally posted by Jake_11:
Thanks for the response. Is there an online store that you prefer?

You can buy Mushkin memory direct from them - www.mushkin.com