Power Mac RAM Upgrade - Why not faster?

I just upgraded my Power Mac G5 Dual 2.0 from 1GB to 3GB with Crucial memory. The computer booted up fine and seems to be working perfectly. The system recognizes the full 3GB. Problem is, I cannot tell the difference in speed, either by "seat of the pants" or by benchmark tests. XBench tested almost exactly the same either way (in fact, it was 1/2 point slower with the 3GB). I also compressed a 2-minute movie from iMovieHD into a Quicktime file. It took the same amount of time with either configuration.
Any thoughts? Is there a different comparison test I should try?
Thanks.

Hi
If you have sufficient memory for what you're doing, additional RAM will make little or no difference. You could try using Activity Monitor located in the Applications->Utilities folder to see how much memory is actually being used at any one time. The following document contains more info:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107918
Artificial benchmarks probably won't detect any differences, as the memory footprint of the tests is probably minimal. Likewise movie compression is probably limited by the speed of the processors and/or hard drive more than it is by the amount of memory available.
You should be able to detect a difference when running several memory hungry applications at the same time and switching between them though. The boot up time may be slightly slower with more RAM as a POST (power on self test) is performed.

Similar Messages

Apple power mac g3 upgrade

I have a power mac g3 blue and white and I was wondering if I can upgrade the ram more than 1gb and upgrade the hard drive to more than 128gb. Basically upgrade the whole unit. Thanks

consider using an external FW drive, it will be about as fast as a your current internal drive, then you can use it to copy files to another computer later. The only size restriction you have to worry about is that for booting OS9 you must use a partition less than 200GB, if your external FW drive is larger, then you can partition it. This is not an issue for booting OS X.
http://eshop.macsales.com/search/FW400
Not sure the "value" of the G3 is worth the "investment" of any "upgrades" in the current vintage-used-computer market, although it can be a fun hobby if you are so inclined.
the older (discontinued?) ATA133 PCI cards would work
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=PCI+ATA133+Mac+ACARD+6280M&_sacat=0&_odkw=PC I+ATA133+Mac&_osacat=0&_armrs=1
with the older legacy (parallel) PATA drives
http://eshop.macsales.com/search/3.5+Internal+IDE/ATA
otherwise, for more $, you could go for a current technology PCI SATA card and SATA drive, you won't see the full speed benefit of this technology with the G3's motherboard speed.

Power Mac G4 Upgrading Hardware & Software............

Hi everyone, for the first time I joining the forum.
Ok I think I have done my home work searching for technical support for hardware & software for this Power Mac G4 (AGP)
I decided to keep one machine after my Company decide take 8 Machine to the recycle and they strip the machine taking out most of the hardware, Hard Drive, Video card, etc.
Power Mac G4 (AGP0)
I was able to boost the machine Mac OS 9.2 with 10GB'HD, PowerPC G4 Processor'450'MHZ, Ram 128X2=256 a standard video Card.
Now I want to upgrade Hardware and Software from the one mentioned above to the fallow >>>
Software Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later Version Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Using the fallowing Hardware.
Hard Drivve...from Western Digital EIDE'HD 160 GB, 100 MB/s, 8 MB Cache,7200 RPM
Processor.....from Sonnet Encore™/ST G4 1.8 GHz orless G4 1. GHz.
Ram...........from Crucial 512MB X 3 = 1.5GB ,168-pin DIMM, SDRAM, PC133 memory
Video Card....from NVidia GeForce4 Ti 4600, GeForce4 Ti 4600 or.
Video Card....from AMD RADEON 9800 AGP 128MB PRO MAC EDITION.
I do know that I need 867. MHz Processor speed or faster and
9GB of available disk space for the Leopard etc.
So please let me know if there's anything I'm missing and I will post the update when I get all this together or step by step and I don't want to spend to much $$

Hi guys,
Mu name is leon. I am just came across yours conversation about upgrading harwdare and software.
The reason I am in here it because I would like to upgrade my Mac OS 10.2.8 system to Mac OS 10.5 Leopard system as well. I am not sure how smooth this process takes for me to upgrade interms of ( not to loose my graphic Adobe softwares and Wed design softwares that works under this opearting system ). As far as articles goes, Leopard is pretty good right know for Mac OS users. I didn't have experince upgrading operating system on Macintosh platform before. I am just use my macintosh a lot for graphic applications, web applcations and internet. So I would like to convince myself, if buy a new operating system ( Leopard ), I am going to have a better performance on my Mac that I have right know, and all my softwares are going to perfrom as well. Actually Safari 1.0.3 was a pretty good internet browser for me until now, a lot of websites I can open or after get in, application is quite on me. So I would like you guys to ask your advice about upgrading issues.
I have the following specs about my Mac:
System version: Mac OS X 10.2.8
Boot valume: Macintosh HD
Machine speed: 1.250 Ghz
Bus speed: 167 MHZ
Number of processors: 2
L2 cash size: 256 K ( times 2 )
L3 cash size: 1 MB ( times 2 )
Machine model: Power Mac G4 ( version 3.2 )
DDR SDRAM: 256 MB
Thanks,
Leon.

Power Mac G5 Upgrades? New to Mac

Hello Everyone, this is my first post here on apple.
I Recently got a M9020LL/A Power Mac G5 1.6ghz tower, 1 gig memory, 80 gig drive. Fresh install of Leopard 10.5. All is working well... Happy with it.
My question is, other than ram/memory obviously, are there any other upgrades i can perform?
There is no possibility to upgrade this computer to a Intel chip, is there? be kind here lol... I have a PowerPC now.
On the website below, it says there is a Dual 2 gig option for this "series" of towers, is that a possible upgrade, and if so, where do i get it or find a part number.
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP96
Thanks everyone

Bigger hard drive for sure. Maybe multiple drives.
Can't put Intel chip in PPC, sorry.
Video card?
Always a matter of what's worth the investment. I regard the transition to Intel somewhat of a wall. In that regard even a G5 is old and cannot get beyond that point. We're up against it already with the recent release of Snow Leopard for Intel only. You can upgrade the G5 until you're blue in the face but come next OS release you'll be left with a non-upgradable computer and one left running an unsupported OS. I guess what I'm saying is, consider first before doing major upgrades.
Oh, if you get a SATA hard drive you can probably use it in your next computer even if it is Intel, so that's not a waste of money.

Should I get a new Mac Pro or a used Power Mac G5, and why?

I'm trying to decide which of these would be a better choice and better cost/benefit/value ratio.
I spend my time in Photoshop CS and Adobe Lightroom most of the time. I have NO intention of running Windows, so I wouldn't miss that by going with the G5.
What are your thoughts?
Here's a G5 that looks pretty tempting.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Power-Mac-G5-Dual-1-8-Ghz-4GB-1000GB-DVD-R-Maxed_W0QQi temZ190131690775QQihZ009QQcategoryZ51036QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That is a lot of "maybe's" and big "if's" - there will ALWAYS be change and updates, and no one knows what or when. Just 'speculation'. Or, needed? not if someone things they would be happy with 4 yr old G5, they aren't worried about the next upgrade and leading edge.
I don't know that the Mac Pro is a year old. Then again, it hasn't changed. One new model configuration added.
As for "$1000 upgrades" that is a PLUS, not a MINUS as you can't even find video or stuff more memory, and limited on disk drives with the G5.
The G5 would turn in a score of less than half of 2GHz MP, more like 1/4 especially with stock 2.66. $1895 for Apple ref's @ www.apple.com for MP, too.
Do your shopping on Apple Store Specials, not ebay. A lot of G5s are showing their age and in need of some heavy cost fixes, PSU, failing video, logicboard ... and you may be out on a limb.

I have an older Power Mac and it does not have the ability/hardware to connect to my wireless network.It is on 2nd floor which has no ethernet connections available. How can I get connected wirelessly?

I have an older Power Mac desktop computer. I do not believe it has the hardware to connect wirelessly to my wireless network. The computer is located on the 2nd floor of my house where there are no ethernet network connections so I would have to use wireless to connect to the internet. I have a wireless LinkSys router downstairs that I use to create my wireless network. I also have a Time Capsule upstairs but without the ability to plug an ethernet network cable into it, I cannot use it to get internet access t the computer.
What hardware can I add to give me the abiity to connect the Power Mac to my wireless network?
Is there a way perhaps to link routers? IE. Can I somehow have my existing wireless router downstairs connect wirelessly with the Time Capsule upstairs that i could then plug the Power Mac into for connectivity?
Not sure what version of OS this computer is currently using but do know it does not have the newer dual Intel processors. As such I am unable to update to newer OS versions.

While uselessSABOTAGE's advice is great, in case of future issues, it would helps us in the future if you would post accurate tech specs of your model iMac.
You info states you have an older IMac PowerMac, but is also says your OS X version is OS X 10.7.2.
This is not possible. OS X 10.7.2 Lion only runs on Intel CPU Macs.
Please, go up to the Apple symbol in the upper top left of OS X main menu bar. Click the symbol. Then click About this Mac. A popup window appears that gives some basic info. Then, click the More Info button and both post your iMacs complete specs by selecting/highlighting all of the info and copy paste this into a reply to this post, editing out your iMac's serial number. Then update the info you posted in your user profile with some of this new found data for future postings.

Shall i get a Power Mac or shall i not help me?????

Sorry to post another new topic but i looking to puchase a new Power Mac, but with these recent changes from the Power PC processors to Intel Core Duo, I don't know whether to wait for the Intel Core Duo processors to come out on Power Mac's or buy the Power PC version, any advice???? Thanks Again

Dimension #1: Performance gains. There is more of a performance gain between the PowerBook and the MacBook than there likely will be between the PowerMac G5's and the PowerMac Intel's. They quadrupled the front-side bus speed on the MacBook, went to two cores, and improved the video card. The PowerMacs already have multi-CPU models, and powerful front-side bus speeds, so while the various parameters will undoubtedly improve when they release an Intel-based PowerMac, I don't think it will be as drastic an improvement as the notebooks. So strictly on this basis, if you need a desktop, buying a current G5 model won't leave you in the lurch.
Dimension #2: Windows, virtualization and emulation. There are rumors flying around that Apple is planning to make use of the virtualization capabilities in the Intel Core Duo, which could lead to the ability to run MacOS and Windows simultaneously. Not dual-boot, not emulating Windows, but actually running MacOS and Windows natively, at the same time, with the ability to switch between them on the fly. Even if Apple doesn't do this, the Intel architecture makes it possible for emulators (like Virtual PC, VMWare, etc.) to be implemented using native Intel calls rather than an emulation layer that slows things down. None of this is reality yet (the Apple rumors are just rumors, and no commercial Windows emulator has been released for Intel Macs yet), but if running Windows apps on your Mac is important to you, you might want to wait to see where this leads.
Dimension #3: Linux. Similar to the Windows issue above, if you want to boot into Linux, and/or get Linux emulators, then the Intel platform is more promising in terms of potential performance, etc.
Dimension #4: Legacy platform issues. Mac has created the Universal Binary format to allow software vendors to create binaries that work on both PowerPC and Intel platforms, so in theory you'd be fine going with either looking into the future. But in reality, if and when the Intel platform makes up a majority of the Apple user base out there (a goal Apple is working hard to achieve), software vendors will likely start to devote more resources to the Intel builds of their software, and the PowerPC side will start to be delegated to legacy status in terms of testing, etc. Some vendors may even start to release Intel-only builds to eliminate the need to test Universal Binaries on both platforms. This probably won't be an issue for some time (well over a year, I'd say), and even then I think vendors that choose to skip PowerPC will be few and far between. But something to consider.

My Power Mac Applications are ALL not working

I transfered some files from my laptop to my Power Mac, as my laptop is currently not working. Now when I try to double click on my applications on my Power Mac nothing happens. I restarted the computer and still nothing. Please help as now i'm without two computers.

Very Important, how much Free Space is on your Hard Drive first of all?
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Tiger Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

Mac mini upgraded; will not boot.. suggestions?

Hello all,
There are other threads with upgrade problems, but they've all been 'answered' and I'm still stuck. I've just attempted an upgrade (1.5 solo to T5500; core 2 duo 1.66, FSB 667), and I seem to be having problems. I've zapped the pram, but when I attempt to power on, the system doesn't boot. My led turns on and I can hear some hardware (though I think its just the fan), but no screen image and no peripherals. The physical installation wasn't perfect, but it went ok.. (I broke one of my nylon posts, like many others; able to replace it with a fix thanks to frantic google searches.) The unit appears to have power, but there's no chime, no disk sounds, and no boot screen. I can't find any solutions posted, so I'll ask. What should I do?

damfair,
(thanks for your help, by the way) Well, here's what I did:
2 weeks prior to upgrading my CPU I decided to upgrade my RAM. I bought some apple-brand 1 GB (x2) modules on craigslist from some guy upgrading his MBP; he didn't need his old sticks, and he was selling them cheap. I 'cracked' open my mini, installed the new RAM, took a quick look around, closed it up, and rebooted. After a soft pram reset, everything booted fine and the computer worked great for the next few weeks. Then, confident from my successful RAM upgrade, I decided I'd up my processing power as well and starting looking for used but decent core 2 duos on eBay. I found a 1.66 GHz core 2 duo for $75 and won one (out of a lot of 20) for $60. The seller shipped the new cpu quickly and when it arrived a few days later I set to work installing it. The physical installation didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped (I, like many other people, ended up breaking one of my heatsink posts. I was able to find a great fix online though--4-40 nylon screws work almost better than the stock fixtures--and I thought I'd overcome my problems with the upgrade.) After the processor swap, I relocked my cpu socket, "zapped the pram" by pushing the small silver button next to the processor, reconnected ALL of my wire connections and screwed my chassis back together. I left the cover off for a test boot, and I was disappointed to find a non-working computer. I rechecked my connections, even reseated my processor, and combed the forums for possible fixes. All to no avail. To make sure I hadn't damaged my mainboard during the install I even reinstalled my old cpu, and the thing booted fine; no problems whatsoever. I've been in contact with the ebay store that sold the processor and they don't seem to think its busted, but they can't be sure. I was static-safe during the installation and I've even tried reseating my new RAM (thanks to everyone in this forum for the help.) I really don't know what to do next. I'm thinking of asking the ebay people if I could send them this cpu, they'd send me another one (there were a few remaining in the lot after the auction), and I could try another. If the one they sent me IS broken, then they needed to give me another anyway, and if it does work, then no harm sending them back a working processor. I'll update if I can get a new cpu sent to me. Thanks again for any help.
rob

RAM Upgraded But Not Usuable !!

Hello. Please Help.
HP Pavilion Notebook - 15-ab032ax Ram Upgrade to 8GB as because there is 2 slots. 2 RAM are Same in All.
IT shows in Bios that ram 8GB also in PC properties. But usuable only 3.45GB. Why ?? Running x64 Win 8.1

Number 1 :: Tried :: Result :: Blinking Black Screen, Without Stoc HP RAM. Number 2 :: Tried :: Result :: Blinking Black Screen, Without Stoc HP RAM.
Please Help. I cant use any RAM without Stock HP RAM.
I want to use 8/16 GB. Is there any lock settings in BIOS ?? or something like that ??
Thanks.

Power Mac G5 Upgrade

I have Power Mac G5 with VRAM 128MB, is there a way to upgrade this to 256 VRAM so I can use Adobe CS5?
Adobe requirements is to have 256 MB of VRAM. If there is a way can you please let me know. Thanks!

And no, there is no upgrade path from G5 to Mac Pro, except data transfer. You don't even need to consider a Mac Pro. Some current Mac Minis even support CS5 and many Intel iMacs do.
If upgrading because CS5 is required for your business, you might want to consider finding out which machine works best by asking on the Adobe forums for what you desire to use it for.
A user tip for migrating to Intels was written here:
kimaccdual: A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
And I've written an extensive FAQ on the migration*:
http://www.macmaps.com/macosxnative.html
Now mind you, you don't have to upgrade to Intel, unless software you require to use only runs on it. There are plenty of older versions of Adobe that function fine on PowerPC.

With all the upgrades why not upgrade the mini?

Great news coming out of the Apple camp, but what about the mini. Dollar for dollar it's still the cheapest Mac. What about TBolt 2.0 coneections on it. What about the new Wifi?

Ok so I'm am an Apple fan but I've never heard of Mac Mini upgrades, when then Joe will be the next Mini upgrade? Speculation is a wish list to me, it would be great if Apple had a venue to hear customer wishes. Apple's new theme is to envision how it's consumers will use their devices in the future. Can you think of a better place to express that?

Power Mac G4 MDD will not power up when put to sleep

When i put my MMD 1.42 G4 to sleep it does not wake up at all, even after restart the fans are blowing full speed and thats it, no video to screen nothing. There's also no power going to the keyboard and mouse.
I've notice that if I shutdown the machine for a few hours then power it up it will work fine, as long as i don't put it to sleep.
Doesn't anyone have any suggestions as to what my be causing this issue. Is it a bad logic board or power supply?
Thanks in advance.
Gregg

I doubt the internal drives would be an issue unless they were off a SCSI controller.
There are some preferences that deal with power management and sleep, and some people find that those can become corrupt. I don't know if there are any in the top level /Library/Preferences.
Another thing to try, would be a new account just to rule out your home directory.
Boot into Open Firmware (reset nvram is easy to find on www.apple.com/support/) and enter three commands:
reset-nvram
set-defaults
reset-all
The system will then reboot and have to look for a bootable system, or you might want to use the Option key, or a bootable Cd/DVD handy.
The set defaults seems to affect sleep and power management, and most often helpful on laptop computers, but whenever adding, moving or changing PCI cards or having a problem with a system that isn't software, good to try.
G4 MDD 1.25 1.75GB UL3D 15K Atlas Mac OS X (10.4.3)

New iMac: 4GB RAM upgrade does not boot

I have a new 24" 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme iMac. Bought the Crucial 4GB kit. Installed both sticks, but the iMac would not boot. I heard the hard drive spinning, but it would not boot. I removed a stick from the first slot ("first" from left to right looking at the screen), and inserted the 1GB oem stick. It booted fine. I thought I had a DOA 2GB stick, so I returned it to Crucial. Got my new replacement memory and tried again. Still would not boot. Switched slots. Same problem. Replaced the OEM 1GB in the first slot again, it it booted fine. I tried every configuration, and the only thing that works is the 1GB OEM in the first slot and one 2GB Crucial stick in the second slot. I cannot get 4GB of RAM to work. Any suggestions?

With the orginal 1GB and a 2GB module installed are you seeing all 3GB in "Apple / About This Mac" and Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor?
Resetting the PRAM can solve certain startup problems.
Try installing the 2x2GB kit and restart the Mac immediately press Command-option-P-R and hold the keys down until the Mac chimes a second time. This resets the information in the Mac’s parameter RAM (PRAM) to its default values. The PRAM is a special area of RAM where data is retained even after you shut down the Mac.

Power Mac G5 upgrade question.

Does anybody know if the G5 can be transformed into an Intel system in order to upgrade to Lion?
I really don't want to have to buy a new Mac.

I did contact Apple and they said pretty much what you discussed in your reply. They also suggested I
upgrade to Leopard which would allow me to upgrade other software I currently have on the computer.
Thanks again.

Power Mac RAM Upgrade - Why not faster?

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