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iMac RAM Questions

A

ATLMacUser

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 23, 2008
12
0
I just got a refurb iMac 2.4 which came with 1x1GB RAM stick (667MHz DDR2 (PC2-5300) - 1x1GB SO-DIMM)
i want to upgrade to 2 GB- Should I buy another 1 GB stick just like above for 100 bucks or should I upgrade to the 800MHz DDR2 (PC2-6400) - 1x2GB SO-DIMM for $200? would it be worth it to go up to the faster sticks?
 
Why would you pay $100 for a 1gig stick?

Are those official Apple prices?

Get you RAM for a 3rd party vendor, just as good, but much cheaper. I personally use otherworldcomputing.com
 
ATLMacUser said:
I just got a refurb iMac 2.4 which came with 1x1GB RAM stick (667MHz DDR2 (PC2-5300) - 1x1GB SO-DIMM)
i want to upgrade to 2 GB- Should I buy another 1 GB stick just like above for 100 bucks or should I upgrade to the 800MHz DDR2 (PC2-6400) - 1x2GB SO-DIMM for $200? would it be worth it to go up to the faster sticks?
Click to expand...

Try this. You'll be much more satisfied not spending an arm and a leg and the product is just as good (if not exactly the same).
 
So buy from another source and it's just as good?
hmmm... I guess... but I have my doubts is there anything to look at to guarantee quality? i've always assumed if it's too good to be true- it probably is.

there is no way I can use the 800mhz? on the apple site you can get the 800mhz on a later iMac with the same 2.4 processor... still won't work?
 
You can always get those Samsung RAM chips that Apple sells for $200 (upgrade) or $400 standalone for $130 if bought from any online seller than Apple! In addition, you can sell your old chips and even save more!
 
ATLMacUser said:
So buy from another source and it's just as good?
hmmm... I guess... but I have my doubts is there anything to look at to guarantee quality? i've always assumed if it's too good to be true- it probably is.

there is no way I can use the 800mhz? on the apple site you can get the 800mhz on a later iMac with the same 2.4 processor... still won't work?
Click to expand...

It's very real. I have RAM from OWC in my Mac Pro, iMac, Powerbook and my wife's iBook. It all works great and has a guarantee just as good as any. Apple is pretty notorious for overcharging for RAM.
 
I might just give OWC a shot... but there is no way to run the 800mhz if my iMac came with 667mhz?

for what they charge I might jump up to 4 ghz rAM
 
ATLMacUser said:
So buy from another source and it's just as good?
hmmm... I guess... but I have my doubts is there anything to look at to guarantee quality? i've always assumed if it's too good to be true- it probably is.

there is no way I can use the 800mhz? on the apple site you can get the 800mhz on a later iMac with the same 2.4 processor... still won't work?
Click to expand...

seriously buddy.....comon, if it comes with 667 RAM, then it can't support 800mhz RAM, therefore you would be wasting money(the 800 would just underclock to 667)...also, do you know how much apple rips people like you off...i just went to micro center and got a 2gig stick for 15.99 on sale, it works perfectly as it should. Just because you didn't buy it for an outrageous price from apple doesn't mean it isn't good quality!
 
My logic is that "if it's too good to be true- it probably is." Do you realize how many people buy crap ram from "discount dealers" that under-performs benchmarks? Look- my deal is simple, I'd rather spend 100 bucks on RAM that does what it's supposed to do, than 25 bucks on garbage... The previous poster said he had good experience with OWC- I do appreciate being directed to reputable discount dealers so I might give them a chance- they look solid- and reviews seem decent. However, I am not ignorant to cheaper prices out there for RAM. I am just slightly skeptical to their quality.


That said- I was ignorant to how the speed of the RAM worked in relationship to my processor- so I came on this forum to ask. Thanks for answering. :)
 
Barefeats has done tests on RAM and using different brands. Not all but some. You may have to read from different studies to see the difference.

I too was skeptical at the start and my Dad (a Mac man from the classic days) was also very very very skeptical, until he did some reading on the barefeats site.

Yes Apple certified memory works, yes it has their warranty. For example look around on this computer site and notice they have apple certified ram from various brands. Just for examples sake.

I have been putting in third part ram into my Mac's since the days of Power Mac's with SD RAM. The crutial memory is great and amoung the top at the moment and ocw/owc what ever it is, is also amoung the top.

To Good To Be True?..... I don't think it really applies in this case. The third part RAM from the companies other users recommended has been shown to even out perform the Apple stuff. The third part Apple certified stuff on the computer site linked above is for heat reasons, keep that in mind.

Plane and simple Apple takes you to the cleaners on RAM upgrades, and then they go out for a nice dinner on you. They have been criticized for years about the markup on their RAM.

It's not to good to be true.

Jack.
 
ATLMacUser said:
So buy from another source and it's just as good?
hmmm... I guess... but I have my doubts is there anything to look at to guarantee quality? i've always assumed if it's too good to be true- it probably is.

there is no way I can use the 800mhz? on the apple site you can get the 800mhz on a later iMac with the same 2.4 processor... still won't work?
Click to expand...

I would go to Crucial or Crucial(UK). They have a very good reputation and will be cheaper than Apple for RAM.

HB
 
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