RAM. Help! Very Confused!

Question

Hello,
I have an iMac G3 350MHz w/ 320MB (64 MB chip that came w/ the computer and an additional 256MB chip I installed) I am planning to take the 64MB chip out and stick another 256MB chip in for a total of 512MB. The current speed of the 256MB chip I think is CL 3-3-3. Is that a bad thing?
Also, would a generic chip be ok?
I found a 256MB generic chip for $20.89.
I have also noticed RAM producers sale hyperformace RAM, is that any good?
Thanks.

Answer 1

For Generic - read cheap but compatibility not assured.More RAM will speed up your system. No RAM product will be faster than any other in your system.
The iMac's memory bus speed will limit the speed of whatever DIMMs you buy. iMacs CRTs were either 66MHz or 100MHz memory bus speeds. You can use PC66, PC100 or PC133 in a 66MHz system, or PC100 or PC133 in a 100MHz system but it will run at the lower speed. The iMac 350MHz has a 100MHz memory bus.
Crucial will guarantee the RAM you buy will work in your iMac.
You can choose CL2 or CL3 (CL2 = CAS Latency 222 = 2 Clock Cycles to Write, 2 Clock Cycles to Read and 2 Clock Cycles to Move data).
The bottom line is you may get away with cheap RAM - but to avoid any issues go with the branded. (The only choice between PC133 and PC100 is the cost and whether you'll ever be able to transfer it to a PC133 system only).
regards
mrtotes.