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annefront

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 28, 2010
4
0
I think I have an iMac G5 - flat screen, white covering. Right now I have OS X 10.5.8 & it's running rather slow. The processor is 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, Memory 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. I want to upgrade to Snow Leopard 10.6.3 - tried today but says I don't have enough memory. How do I get more memory & what do I need to do it.
Thank you for any help!
 

alust2013

macrumors 601
Feb 6, 2010
4,779
2
On the fence
Wait. Is it a G5 or a Core Duo? It sounds like you have a first generation Intel machine rather than a G5. If it's a core duo, you need to upgrade to at least 1GB RAM (2GB would be better), then you can run Snow Leopard. If it's a G5, you're unfortunately out of luck. I would definitely up the RAM either way, 512MB isn't much anymore.
 

annefront

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 28, 2010
4
0
is there anyway to add intel to the computer?

What other thing could i do to make the system faster? or do i just need to upgrade to a new computer?
 

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
is there anyway to add intel to the computer?

What other thing could i do to make the system faster? or do i just need to upgrade to a new computer?

4707069290_6547e29211_b.jpg


Look for the Model Identifier and report back, and you can't add an Intel CPU to a G5 iMac.

If you have a G5 iMac, no Snow Leopard, but if the amount of RAM you stated is correct, you can add up to 2GB RAM I suppose. That can be determined via the Model Identifier.

If you have a Core Duo iMac, Snow Leopard can be installed and more RAM can be added too. The Model Identifier will help there to identify how much.

To see a list of all the existing iMacs: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html

To know the difference between G5 and Core Duo, in a way anyway: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple–Intel_transition
 

annefront

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 28, 2010
4
0
It's a Intel Core Duo
2 Ghz
1 processor
2 cores
L2 Cache 2 MB
Memory 512 MB
Bus speed 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version IM41.0039.B00

Model Identifier iMac 4,1
 

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
It's a Intel Core Duo
2 Ghz
1 processor
2 cores
L2 Cache 2 MB
Memory 512 MB
Bus speed 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version IM41.0039.B00

Model Identifier iMac 4,1

Then it is this iMac: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac_cd_2.0_20.html

You can install Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard via the 29 USD Upgrade DVD onto it.
And you can upgrade the RAM to 2GB for 50 USD via this: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/53DR2SPAIR2G/
 

alust2013

macrumors 601
Feb 6, 2010
4,779
2
On the fence
It's a Intel Core Duo
2 Ghz
1 processor
2 cores
L2 Cache 2 MB
Memory 512 MB
Bus speed 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version IM41.0039.B00

Ok, you do have an Intel machine, not a G5. They do look the same though. Anyhow, you just need 1GB or more memory to run snow leopard, and this memory will work with your computer.
 

OllyW

Moderator
Staff member
Oct 11, 2005
17,196
6,799
The Black Country, England
I think I have an iMac G5 - flat screen, white covering. Right now I have OS X 10.5.8 & it's running rather slow. The processor is 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, Memory 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. I want to upgrade to Snow Leopard 10.6.3 - tried today but says I don't have enough memory. How do I get more memory & what do I need to do it.
Thank you for any help!

That isn't a G5, it sounds like you've got an Early 2006 iMac. (Yes, iMac 4.1 confirms this.)

You should upgrade the memory to 2GB (2 x 1GB) and it will run Snow Leopard reasonably well.

Crucial is an easy place to source the correct RAM if you use their Memory Advisor tool.

It shows you how to install memory in your iMac User Manual. If you've lost the manual you can download a PDF copy from the Apple web site.
 
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