G5's memory maximum actually 16 GB!

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by Frohickey
Um... you need to clean your glasses. Thats a 200pin SODimm module. Though, there is a PC2100 184pin DDR DIMM in a 2GB size. (I feel like Ahnuld... go to a store, I want a PC3200 DDR DIMM in a 2GB size, and a phased plasma rifle in 40W range.

G5s use PC2700 (333MHz) and PC3200 (400MHz).

thanks for setting me straight, but someone had already done so. i wasn't implying that they sold PC2700 or 3200 1 GB sticks, you just said, plain as day, that they didn't sell 1 GB sticks, which they do, both the cited SODIMMS i linked and PC133 RAM... i was just playing around. i definitely don't need glasses. i can read, and you did say they didn't sell 1 GB sticks, and they do. just not PC2700 or 3200.

 

[smada]

Originally posted by Sun Baked
According to the Apple Developer docs, the G3 iMac can handle up to 1GB of memory.

These are the documents to look at instead of the insert with the computer.

The link I left at in a previous post is for ALL the macs, but they usually lag product shipment by a few weeks or a couple months.

I was referring to the apple support web site, seen here. I never new about these developer docs, though.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Originally posted by e-coli
16 GB is insanity. Maybe only for doing 3D work, but still. You'd have to be working on the sequel to Pearl Harbor or something to need that much.

One thing you'll need to remember - there is always someone who will find a need for more of anything - sure 16 GB is a large amount of memory - but what if solid state drives get a lot cheaper and you end up with with a machine the blurs the line between memory and disk space....where the effective memory is only limited to your harddrive....

D

 

[makkystyle]

Originally posted by smada
Id say it's quite possible that a G5 could handle 16 GB, and maybe even more if bigger DDR chips are made.

According to Apple.com, my iMac can only handle 512 MB of memory, but as you can see, that just isn't true. edit: with attached pic of "About this mac" with 1024MB RAM

Just out of curiosity, because I really have no idea myself, is it possible that the OS can recognize that there is 1024MB of RAM but half of this is actually not being utilized? I only ask just because I can't understand why Apple would say that there is a max when it can really go higher.

 

[patrick0brien]

Originally posted by makkystyle
...I can't understand why Apple would say that there is a max when it can really go higher.

-makkystyle

Because if Apple said the max was actually higher than the current capacity of the DIMMs available, that would legally be false advertising.

To say that a machines Max is 2gb when the DIMMs available could only get it to 1gb is technically misrepresentation due to current states of technology.

Stupid, but true.

They can however whisper about 'theoretical ceilings'.

 

[smada]

Originally posted by makkystyle
is it possible that the OS can recognize that there is 1024MB of RAM but half of this is actually not being utilized?

I suppose it's possible, but not the case here. I noticed a huge increase in performance while doing memory intensive tasks when I jumped from 512 MB to 1024 MB.

As others have mentioned before, Apple cannot list the max ram capacity to be greater than what is available at the time. And they don't update the support documents containing machine specifications when larger capacity ram chips are made.

 

[rice_web]

Well, what video editing professional couldn't use 16GB of memory? What massive Lightwave project wouldn't benefit?

Could you imagine a cluster of XServes (an updated one, using 970s of course), each using 16GB of memory? That'd be insane! Server farms could process so much more data with the hard drive out of the equation, allowing immensely quick rendering times.

Now we only need 4GB DIMMs.

 

[shadowfax]

Originally posted by smada
I suppose it's possible, but not the case here. I noticed a huge increase in performance while doing memory intensive tasks when I jumped from 512 MB to 1024 MB.

it's not possible. your system is what allocates RAM. if it can recognize and address it, it can give it to the applications.

an easy way to test is to run top from terminal. you can see all your ram usage stats.

 

[D*I*S_Frontman]

Do we know the "theoretical" max for the new G5s? If Crucial came out with an 184-pin 8 GB DDR400 module, could the system actually address 64 GB RAM?

I have a Pismo running 1GB RAM (max 512MB according to specs). Two slots. What is my new "theoretic" max? 2 GB now? Heck, I may only need my HD during start-up...!

 

[gopher]

I just got a reply from Apple's developer technotes author and they tell me the specs are correct and the 8 GB is just marketing! Which means, 16 GB is indeed the maximum the desktop can take! Apple simply hasn't qualified a 2 GB RAM chip for their systems, still there is no controller limit saying it can't go beyond 8 GB. So if anyone has $8000 to spare, it should be interesting to see if the 2 GB module works. Know any millionaires who wouldn't care spending that kind of money to see if something works?

 

[illumin8]

2GB PC3200 chips are available

I think you ought to check out Pricewatch for buying your memory DIMMs. You'll find they have much better prices and the 2GB and 1GB modules are actually for sale right now:

2GB PC3200 (DDR400) - $1099.00

1GB PC3200 (DDR400) - $165

Just make sure you're not buying a "kit" of 2x 512MB DIMMs. They like to trick you into buying a kit of 2 cheaper DIMMs because it looks less expensive... If you want 1GB, you better buy 1GB, just buy two of them...

 

[Sun Baked]

Re: 2GB DDR400 Server modules

illumin8

The 2GB modules will probably not work, if Apple isn't supporting Reg, ECC, etc.

This memory says...

Price for PHONE ORDER PRICE, mention Price Watch --2048 MB (1 DIMM) PC3200 DDR 400 SDRAM REG ECC

Wait until Apple releases the specs for the memory on the new machines, you should see it show up somewhere

NOTE - THIS IS FOR THE G4
DIMM Specifications

The RAM expansion slots accept 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMMs that are 2.5 volt, unbuffered, 8-byte, nonparity, and DDR226-compliant (PC2100) or DDR333-compliant (PC2700).

Important

DDR200 (PC1600) or slower DIMMs do not work in the PowerMac G4 computer.

Important

DIMMs with any of the following features are not supported in the PowerMac G4 computer: registers or buffers, PLLs, ECC, parity, or EDO RAM.

 

[Frohickey]

Macs tries to use standard commodity DRAM. The registered ECC DRAM are not standard commodity. You end up paying a little premium over unbuffered non-ECC DRAM

I guess they learned their lesson from the Quadra days when things were 72pin SIMMs or some such weird beast.

 

[MacRAND]

Apple $750 upgrade for 2 1-GHz chips is better deal than www.4allmemory.com @ $500 ea

Apple G5 $2,999.00
Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
• 512MB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x256MB
Expandable to 8GB SDRAM
• 1GHz frontside bus

Apple $750 upgrade for 2x 1-GHz chips is better deal than http://www.4allmemory.com @ $500 each = $1,000 total

Can anyone find a better deal than what Apple offers as a 2 GHz RAM upgrade for $750?

 

[job]

this is a slight tangent but that pic with the slotloading imac with more than 512MB RAM got me wondering.

i have the exact same machine with 2*256MB RAM. could i stick a 512MB DIMM in? does it have to be PC100 or could it be PC133?

 

[illumin8]

Re: Apple $750 upgrade for 2 1-GHz chips is better deal than www.4allmemory.com @ $500 ea

Originally posted by MacRAND
Can anyone find a better deal than what Apple offers as a 2 GHz RAM upgrade for $750?

I started looking around because this post got me interested, and I just realized that I cannot find a 1GB PC3200 DIMM anywhere online for some reason. Everywhere that sells 1GB of memory is actually selling you a kit of 2x 512MB DIMMs.

I will tell you that I bought some great PC3200 memory for my Dell computer (it uses PC3200 memory in pairs, just like the new G5s).

I bought it at Newegg, which is a great online reseller. This memory has been working great for me and it's really inexpensive.

I bought 2x 512MB sticks, for $73.00 each stick. If you want to buy the same memory, which should work great in a G5, go to the site and search for "geil", the manufacturer, or the model number of the memory is GL512PC3200B. This memory is CAS 2.5 (in case you're interested), and comes with a built-in heat spreader.

I think right now the sweet spot for PC3200 is 512MB sticks. You'll still be able to fit 4GB of memory in your G5, and you won't have to break the bank to do it. It should only cost you $584 to get a full 4GB.

 

[MacRAND]

1GHz chips from www.4allmemory.com @ $500

1GHz chips are available online from http://www.4allmemory.com
@ $499.99 each ($999 for 2) • making 2x1GB chips for $750 as an Apple upgrade the better deal!
http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.ddr_memory_desktop

PC400 / PC3200 DDR

Memory Module Part Number__Retail__Save__Price
128MB DDR400, PC3200 80095 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (yes, same as 256)
256MB DDR400, PC3200 80395 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (same as 128)
512MB DDR400, PC3200 80639 $105.50 $10.55 $ 94.95
1.0 GB DDR400 PC3200 80039 $555.50 $55.55 $499.99

 

[projectParanoia]

NOTE - THIS IS FOR THE G4
DIMM Specifications

The RAM expansion slots accept 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMMs that are 2.5 volt, unbuffered, 8-byte, nonparity, and DDR226-compliant (PC2100) or DDR333-compliant (PC2700).

Important

DDR200 (PC1600) or slower DIMMs do not work in the PowerMac G4 computer.

Important

DIMMs with any of the following features are not supported in the PowerMac G4 computer: registers or buffers, PLLs, ECC, parity, or EDO RAM.

Uh... um...

Can someone explain all this PLLs ECC parity buffered EDO stuff? Or a link is fine too.

 

[Wyrm]

As far as maximum addressing, the JEDEC 184 pin DIMM standard has 13 bits of column by row for 536,870,912 bytes in 8 byte blocks (2^26 * 8 or 2^29 bytes per bank). With 2 bits for banks, that allows a maximum of 2,147,483,648 bytes or exactly 2GB per device. I think that's the max? Which would mean without using a different memory type the memory max for the G5, ever, would be 16GB (drool) - as long as your power doesn't give out.

The power requirements of the memory might drain the life out of the computer first. The only power specs for the G5 I could find were max amp for a voltage rating: say 100 - 120 @ 6.5 amps. That's 650 - 780 intake watts, assuming about 60% efficiency (a consumer average) that's a 390- 468 watt power supply. Ok, a little beefy, but that's to be expected.

I can't find specs (I'm lazy) for the current DDR400 modules, but "Infineon now makes a 2GB DDR module. It requires 8.1 Amps @ DDR266" (http://www.overclockers.com/articles696/) - so a guesstimate would be 8.1*8 = ~65 amps or about 150 watts of real power (at 2.2V). DDR 400 will be more of course (25-50% more).

So subtract about 200 for memory and the 50 or so watts on each CPU, 9 fans, control chips, HDD and you are quickly running out of available power.... hey doesn't the ADC connector provide power? That could be 70 watts right there!
Maybe that's why they didn't put a second optical drive or more hard-disks - we'd need another 100 or so watts on the power supply pumping up the amps - and don't U.S. breakers trip at 10amps? We'd all need to stick a copper penny in the breaker just to run a G5.

-Wyrm

 

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by e-coli
16 GB is insanity. Maybe only for doing 3D work, but still. You'd have to be working on the sequel to Pearl Harbor or something to need that much.

(If, by chance, you are working on the sequel to pearl harbor, please make it better than the first. )

It's all in anticipation of fast user switching. You'll be able to have a dozen users with a dozen apps apiece open, each doing an intensive rendering with Folding & SETI going on in your background's backgrounds.

With RAM memory this size, hard-drives almost become secondary back-ups.

You could work on a billboard @ 300 dpi in Photoshop and not be slowed down!

I'll max out my wallet before my machine...

 

[iEric]

thats pretty cool ,but who in the right mind would buy 16 GB of ram. (I'm talking about consumers, not business or movie creators, ect.)

I think 3 gb of ram, max, for consumers should be good enough..

 

[ftaok]

Re: 1GHz chips from www.4allmemory.com @ $500

Originally posted by MacRAND
1GHz chips are available online from http://www.4allmemory.com
@ $499.99 each ($999 for 2) • making 2x1GB chips for $750 as an Apple upgrade the better deal!
http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.ddr_memory_desktop

PC400 / PC3200 DDR

Memory Module Part Number__Retail__Save__Price
128MB DDR400, PC3200 80095 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (yes, same as 256)
256MB DDR400, PC3200 80395 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (same as 128)
512MB DDR400, PC3200 80639 $105.50 $10.55 $ 94.95
1.0 GB DDR400 PC3200 80039 $555.50 $55.55 $499.99

Don't forget to add the $100 to the Apple price because they aren't giving you the two 256MB chips. So the $750 becomes $850 (or so). Still better than the place you quote, but not as good as previously thought.

Incidentally, the 2GB (2x1GB) upgrade for the 1.6ghz G5 costs $875. That makes the 1.6 PMac an even worse value. NOTE - the 1.6 PM comes with 2x128MB chips. Since the 128MB and 256MB chips run for about the same money.

 

[sturm375]

Re: 1GHz chips from www.4allmemory.com @ $500

Originally posted by MacRAND
1GHz chips are available online from http://www.4allmemory.com
@ $499.99 each ($999 for 2) • making 2x1GB chips for $750 as an Apple upgrade the better deal!
http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.ddr_memory_desktop

PC400 / PC3200 DDR

Memory Module Part Number__Retail__Save__Price
128MB DDR400, PC3200 80095 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (yes, same as 256)
256MB DDR400, PC3200 80395 $ 61.06 $ 6.11 $ 54.95 (same as 128)
512MB DDR400, PC3200 80639 $105.50 $10.55 $ 94.95
1.0 GB DDR400 PC3200 80039 $555.50 $55.55 $499.99

Don't forget that the memory you are getting from 4allmemory is the total price. At Apple, you add $750 to the cost of the already 2x256 MB memory sticks installed. We don't know how much Apple is charging for the two 256 MB modules, but if you look at one of the lower end G5, you see that the upgrade from 2x128 -> 2x256 is $125. <fuzzy math>From this you might say that each 256 module cost $125 from Apple, if you assume 1x256 module costs 2 times that of a 128 module. If this is true, than in the starting G5 2x2GHz, you are already spending $250 for the standard memory. Which means that when you "Add $750" to upgrade to 2x1GB Memory, the total memory cost is $1000.</fuzzy math>

I can't honestly say that the above math is correct. I make a lot of assumptions, but I think you'll get the idea of what I am saying. (I Hope).

<edit>

A quick search of http://www.pricewatch.com shows that a decent brand of memory (Kingston) will cost you $260 / 1GB Memory Module. This is not the lowest price (by far), but I thought I'd at least get a good name brand for comparison.

</edit>

<edit again>

Nevermind, I didn't read the fine print, that was for 2x512 modules.

</edit again>

 

[Kid Red]

Originally posted by patrick0brien
-Folks

Remember, Apple can only advertise the maximum that is available in DIMMs being sold.

I have a 12PB, and Apple advertises it at maximum 640GB. But that's inly true due to the fact that 512mb SODIMMs are the only one really available in any volume. Once the 1gb SODIMMs get a good volume, Apple will revise.

I'm sure there's something similar going on here with the G5.

640GB of memory?!?! HOLY MOTHER OF GOD that's a lot of memory

 

[patrick0brien]

Originally posted by Kid Red
640GB of memory?!?! HOLY MOTHER OF GOD that's a lot of memory

-Oy

Sorry - You know what I meant!