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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > PC4200 RAM in a 1.8 GHz iMac G5?

PC4200 RAM in a 1.8 GHz iMac G5?
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nonhuman
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Dec 26, 2008, 04:57 PM
 
We're staying with my wife's uncle, and he's got an old iMac G5 1.8 GHz that I want to install some more RAM in for him. It's only rated for PC3200, but PC4200 is about half the price for the same capacity. I'm pretty sure the 4200 will work in it, but I want to make sure before I advise him to spend money on it.

Can anyone confirm that it will work?
     
ghporter
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Dec 26, 2008, 07:08 PM
 
I can say that the same "type" of RAM (SDRAM, DDR RAM, DDR2 RAM) is USUALLY backward compatible at least one step in speed. In general that means that you should be able to use the less expensive RAM and it will do fine. If it was me, I'd buy the PC4200 stuff, no hesitation.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Big Mac
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Dec 26, 2008, 08:05 PM
 
If it's DDR RAM you're looking to get then it should work, but if it's DDR2 RAM you're looking to get then it won't.

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
     
AKcrab
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Dec 26, 2008, 08:12 PM
 
200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMMs don't work in place of 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMMs.
(MacBook/MacBook Pro/iMac)
     
mduell
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Dec 26, 2008, 08:20 PM
 
Originally Posted by AKcrab View Post
200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMMs don't work in place of 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMMs.
(MacBook/MacBook Pro/iMac)
They may, if they have 667Mhz settings in their SPD tables.
     
AKcrab
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Dec 26, 2008, 10:00 PM
 
Originally Posted by mduell View Post
They may, if they have 667Mhz settings in their SPD tables.
Can we tell by looking?
     
mduell
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Dec 28, 2008, 01:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by AKcrab View Post
Can we tell by looking?
Yea, if it says "cRaZy l33T oVeRcLoCkEr BrAnD" you're screwed.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 28, 2008, 01:30 PM
 
The specific RAM I'm looking at is this: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../4200DDR2M1GB/

So according to Big Mac's statement that means it won't work because it's DDR2. Is that correct?
     
ghporter
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Dec 28, 2008, 02:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
The specific RAM I'm looking at is this: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../4200DDR2M1GB/

So according to Big Mac's statement that means it won't work because it's DDR2. Is that correct?
Yes, unfortunately for you (and that great deal) DDR2 RAM is not compatible with your iMac. You need "DDR 1" (for lack of a better term). It's always shown as DDR, with faster devices being shown as "DDR2" and the like.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
   
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