crucial ddr2 4200 or 5400 for imac 2.1ghz?

[derthballs]

im trying to order 1gb ram upgrade for my new imac, but the config thingy on crucial says i could have either the 4200 or 5400, but im not sure what ram is in mine, ive had a search and people say to use crucial because the imac is fussy, but im none the wiser and want to match the speed of the existing one, i dont want to pay for the 5400 if its only 4200 in there already.

 

[derthballs]

im trying to order 1gb ram upgrade for my new imac, but the config thingy on crucial says i could have either the 4200 or 5400, but im not sure what ram is in mine, ive had a search and people say to use crucial because the imac is fussy, but im none the wiser and want to match the speed of the existing one, i dont want to pay for the 5400 if its only 4200 in there already.

any ideas guys?

 

[tremewan]

As a "soon to buy iMac" followed by a "soon to upgrade RAM in new iMac" person, I'm curious for an answer to this one as well. According to the Crucial site, however, the choice seems to be between a 4200 and a 5300 (rather than 5400). Sorry to be picky Derthballs!

Update!!!! I may have just answered my own question. On checking the Crucial site again (and clicking on the "Crucial Recommends" button) it came up with the 4200 stick. Suits me - it's nearly five quid cheaper than the 5300!!! Still like to know the difference though (in non-tecky simpleton's language, please!)

 

[carlos700]

The difference is megahertz 4200 runs at 533MHz, 5300 runs at 667MHz

Looking at the FSB for the 2.1GHz model which is 700MHz, I do not see why 667MHz RAM wouldn't work. Although it may speed down to 533MHz…

 

[tremewan]

The difference is megahertz 4200 runs at 533MHz, 5300 runs at 667MHz

Looking at the FSB for the 2.1GHz model which is 700MHz, I do not see why 667MHz RAM wouldn't work. Although it may speed down to 533MHz…

Thanks Carlos. I guess that means paying the extra for the 5300 may be a false economy as it may not perform any better than the 4200 (which Crucial recommended anyway)?

 

[Bear]

Thanks Carlos. I guess that means paying the extra for the 5300 may be a false economy as it may not perform any better than the 4200 (which Crucial recommended anyway)?

The memory bus in the iMac can't change the speed it runs at, so buying the 5300 memory wouldn't buy anything.

What would matter is the "CL=" number - the lower the number here, the faster the memory can spit out data.

 

[FFTT]

iMacs are a bit picky about RAM specs.

I'd stay with the exact factory specifications.

Datamem has DDR 2 PC4200 1 GB sticks for $99.00