Upgrading iMac 5.1 RAM

[meyer0095]

My computer has been running slow for quite a long time. I am starting to get into photoshop and play large games. I also am hooking up a second monitor in the next week or so to my current iMac. I don't know if this effects the RAM my computer uses though. I have been frequently checking my Activity Monitor. I have read that you should have no more than 20% Page outs than Page ins. I checked mine out and my Page outs were almost 60% of my page ins. I am guessing this means I should probably upgrade my RAM

I currently have 2gigs of RAM. (2 sticks of 1gig RAM) I have read numerous threads, but haven't really read a good conclusion. Does it make sense to buy only one stick of 2gig RAM, so I will be running on 1 stick of 1gig RAM and 1 stick of 2gig RAM equalling the supposed max of 3gigs of RAM that my computer can handle. I have also heard it is better to buy 2 sticks of 2gig RAM even though my computer can only handle 3gigs, and it will run a bit better.

I have gone through Crucial, and they said my computer cannot dual channel so it doesn't matter, but I still have read various posts saying it will make my computer perform better.

I am looking at the:

Kingston Apple 4GB Kit (2x2GB Modules) 667MHz DDR2 SoDimm iMac and Macbook Memory (KTA-MB667K2/4GR)

or

Kingston Apple 2GB Kit (2x1GB Modules) 667MHz DDR2 SoDimm iMac and Macbook Memory (KTA-MB667K2/2GR)

Which should I buy?

Also, is it worth using 800MHz DDR2 RAM or can my computer not handle it and should I stick with 667MHZ?

Thank you very much for any help. It is greatly appreciated.

Also:

Here are my computer's specifications:


Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz

 

[alust2013]

It probably won't matter with dual channel or not, but whatever you do, don't buy apple-branded memory. That is just an excuse for manufacturers to rip you off for the exact same product that they sell to PC customers.

This should work for you. I would just buy one, as it can only recognize 3GB, so that should do the trick. Also, the second item you posted is what you already have in your computer. I would just buy the one I linked or one with the same specs if it's cheaper. There's no point in buying 800MHz, as the computer will probably just downclock it to 667, as that is all the faster the bus is.