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RAM in Blue and White
- Thread starter benyaimin
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If Apple says that G3 system will only hold 4x256MB sticks totally 1GB then the 512MB or 1GB sticks won't work ..
No, absolutely not.
The memory controller of the B&W G3 and the Yikes G4 cannot recognize high density modules. In fact, they won't recognize most modern 256 Mb modules; the 256 Mb module has to be made with 16 low density chips in order to work.
Make sure you choose modules from a reputable vendor who tests and guarantees compatibility with the G3
Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com
You might be able to use the 512MB ones, but they'll only show up as 256MB to the computer. My Powerbook G3 does this with larger RAM sizes than it can take.
iphil said:
That's not always the case. I have a 512 stick in my iMac G3, which only supports 256mb sizes according to Apple, has two PC100 512 sticks in it, giving it 1gb. Also, the PowerBook G3 Wallstreets were listing as only being able to handle 192mb of RAM, but everybody that owns one knows it can go up to 512. Also, I have a Power Mac 8600 with 8 sticks of 128mb, giving it 1gb of ram, which needless to say, didn't exist in 1997. So Apple's specs aren't always final. But thats not to say that all machines are like this. It's best to ask people who have actually done it themselves.
Other World Computing's memory pricing page also shows you what they test the machines to be capeable of handling. That's usually a pretty good resource as far as I can tell. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/ Also be sure to search on google, or ask other members who own blue & white G3s.
According to them, the Blue & White G3 can only address as high as 256mb sticks.
Apple does occasionally fudge on their specs, but more often than not they're telling the truth. In some of the borderline cases, it's not even consistent--I know that some very early iMacs support larger sticks, but other apparently identical models don't. They changed the memory controller (or the way it was programmed) somewhere through the run, so it's basically hit-and-miss.
Either way, that's the beauty of a decet vendor who guarantees Mac compatibility with specific models--they'll tell you what it'll ACTUALLY support, and if for some reason they're wrong you'll get a refund for their mistake.
Either way, that's the beauty of a decet vendor who guarantees Mac compatibility with specific models--they'll tell you what it'll ACTUALLY support, and if for some reason they're wrong you'll get a refund for their mistake.
Ok, first off, the imac controllers are different. If you check the mac site, the later imac G3s can hold up to a gig, yet they only have two slots. So they will run 512s...
Anyway, the maximum RAM a G3 b/w can handle is 1gig. And CanadaRAM is right (as he always is with RAM questions), I am yet to find a 512 stick that works in my b/w. Good luck if you decide to, but honestly I'd advise taking the advice in this thread and only buy those sticks if you have another machine you can use them in or you can resell them/return them.
And btw, I'm personally yet to find a 1gig PC100/133 stick that works in a G4 tower, much less a G3.
Anyway, the maximum RAM a G3 b/w can handle is 1gig. And CanadaRAM is right (as he always is with RAM questions), I am yet to find a 512 stick that works in my b/w. Good luck if you decide to, but honestly I'd advise taking the advice in this thread and only buy those sticks if you have another machine you can use them in or you can resell them/return them.
And btw, I'm personally yet to find a 1gig PC100/133 stick that works in a G4 tower, much less a G3.