RAM for G5 MAC

**CDsDontBurn** · May 30, 2008, 01:32 AM

so i have a friend who has a G5 MAC computer, and is looking to upgrade his RAM. Now, i know know nothing about MAC computers.

What kind of RAM is used by this MAC computer? Can i just get any kind of memory? if not, what kind of memory is required? Is it any kind of special MAC memory, or can i go to any PC shop and buy some RAM off the shelf and pop it in the machine? He is looking at getting 2GB of RAM for his machine.

**kris23** · May 30, 2008, 01:57 AM

if i remember right, the only difference between standard PC memory and "Mac" memory is the guarantees they have, like it is guaranteed to run on MAC.

it is pretty much the same stuff.... there are alot of people that put Kingston ValueRAM in their systems with great results,

**CDsDontBurn** · May 30, 2008, 04:06 AM

so, i could pretty much get any kind of RAM for this thing?

but what kind of RAM does it use? DDR, DDR2? that's something else i need to know about this thing.

Lowfat · May 30, 2008, 06:30 AM

I believe (but don't quote me) most mac's need high density ram modules. Just like the nForce 2 boards needed back in the day. Almost all ram should work fine except for lower grade stuff.

**CDsDontBurn** · May 30, 2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowfat

I believe (but don't quote me) most mac's need high density ram modules. Just like the nForce 2 boards needed back in the day. Almost all ram should work fine except for lower grade stuff.

so any of these will work with my friend's g5?

here are the MAC "certified" RAM modules....a much shorter list, lol.

Lowfat · May 30, 2008, 03:08 PM

The ones from the first 'should' work. I would likely still buy the 'Apple' ram.

**CDsDontBurn** · May 30, 2008, 03:33 PM

but the g5 does use DDR ram right? not anything else?

Lowfat · May 30, 2008, 04:07 PM

depends on what G5 it was. Later G5s uses DDR2.

**CDsDontBurn** · May 30, 2008, 04:23 PM

*sigh* that's something else i need to ask him then.

**dj_stick** · May 31, 2008, 12:02 AM

there's no REAL benefit to buying "Apple" ram for the mac, as long as you get the right spec ram you'll be fine.

As for which Ram it uses, check the "About This Mac" display (Apple Menu - About This Mac) - It'll tell you what spec ram it's currently using

PC_Inquisitor · May 31, 2008, 01:53 AM

Easier, open the G5, take out a module and see it for yourself... Then, buy the right kind of ram lol

**CDsDontBurn** · May 31, 2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

there's no REAL benefit to buying "Apple" ram for the mac, as long as you get the right spec ram you'll be fine.

As for which Ram it uses, check the "About This Mac" display (Apple Menu - About This Mac) - It'll tell you what spec ram it's currently using

thanks

. i'll have to tell my friend to go through these steps to verify this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC_Inquisitor

Easier, open the G5, take out a module and see it for yourself... Then, buy the right kind of ram lol

easier said than done. my friend here doesn't know how to open up his case and i'll have to open up this box.

**dj_stick** · May 31, 2008, 11:18 AM

depending on what sort of "G5" it is, whether a power mac or imac, will depend on how easy it is to open

powermac - there's a lever on the back next to the PCI brackets that you pull, which will unlock the sidepanel and you can easily remove it then

May 30, 2008, 01:57 AM	#2
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,964 Rep Power: 136 System Specs	if i remember right, the only difference between standard PC memory and "Mac" memory is the guarantees they have, like it is guaranteed to run on MAC. it is pretty much the same stuff.... there are alot of people that put Kingston ValueRAM in their systems with great results, __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (in progress...) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

May 30, 2008, 06:30 AM	#4
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,246 Rep Power: 107	I believe (but don't quote me) most mac's need high density ram modules. Just like the nForce 2 boards needed back in the day. Almost all ram should work fine except for lower grade stuff. __________________

May 30, 2008, 03:08 PM	#6
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,246 Rep Power: 107	The ones from the first 'should' work. I would likely still buy the 'Apple' ram. __________________

May 30, 2008, 04:07 PM	#8
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,246 Rep Power: 107	depends on what G5 it was. Later G5s uses DDR2. __________________

May 31, 2008, 01:53 AM	#11
PC_Inquisitor HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mexico City Posts: 91 Rep Power: 0	Easier, open the G5, take out a module and see it for yourself... Then, buy the right kind of ram lol