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Another 1GB RAM really helped PB

Heb1228

Heb1228

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Feb 3, 2004
2,217
1
Virginia Beach, VA
I had 1GB RAM installed on my PB for the 2 years I've owned it and always wondered how much difference it would make to max out the memory up to 2GB.

It's made a huge difference! Before, I would frequently have >100 MB of memory free with 5 or 6 applications open and got spinning beachballs all the time. But now, I barely ever get them. Changing tabs on Safari is almost instantaneous, even when 3 or 4 other pages are loading at the same time in different tabs.

Just thought if anyone was wondering the same thing I'd let you know, it does make a huge difference!
 
Heb1228 said:
I had 1GB RAM installed on my PB for the 2 years I've owned it and always wondered how much difference it would make to max out the memory up to 2GB.

It's made a huge difference! Before, I would frequently have >100 MB of memory free with 5 or 6 applications open and got spinning beachballs all the time. But now, I barely ever get them. Changing tabs on Safari is almost instantaneous, even when 3 or 4 other pages are loading at the same time in different tabs.

Just thought if anyone was wondering the same thing I'd let you know, it does make a huge difference!
Click to expand...

Good post- proves you can't go wrong with some more RAM! :D

Hoping to install another 2GB of RAM into my Power Mac G5 (for a total of 3GB) soon.
 
Yeah, from this experience, I bet another 2GB in your Powermac will bring a lot of new life to it.

I'm sure there's a point of diminishing returns when adding memory, but I sure didn't hit that point going from 1GB to 2.
 
Heb1228 said:
Yeah, from this experience, I bet another 2GB in your Powermac will bring a lot of new life to it.
Click to expand...

Guess that I will have to head to crucial.com soon. :)

Actually, I am debating about whether I should add more RAM (2GB) or upgrade to a better video card ( ATI Radeon 9800 SE or nVVIDA 6800 Ultra or ATI Radeon X800 XT). Eventually, I want to do both- but one thing at a time. :)
 
Just plugged another GB (Crucial) in my Power Mac to bring it up to 2GB. Seems pretty snappy so far. My X800 XT should be here tomorrow :D
 
dmw007 said:
Guess that I will have to head to crucial.com soon. :)

Actually, I am debating about whether I should add more RAM (2GB) or upgrade to a better video card ( ATI Radeon 9800 SE or nVVIDA 6800 Ultra or ATI Radeon X800 XT). Eventually, I want to do both- but one thing at a time. :)
Click to expand...
RAM will probably help video performance out some, plus speed everything else up. I think I'd do that first and wait for the video cards to come down in price some. Unless you play games, then I think its a toss up. :D
 
Cooknn said:
Just plugged another GB (Crucial) in my Power Mac to bring it up to 2GB. Seems pretty snappy so far. My X800 XT should be here tomorrow :D
Click to expand...

ooh, trying not to be jealous.... :D ;)

If you don't like your X800 XT i'll take it
off your hands- heck i'll pay the S&H. ;)

Seriously, let me know how your upgrade works out (ie- do you notice any difference).
 
Heb1228 said:
RAM will probably help video performance out some, plus speed everything else up. I think I'd do that first and wait for the video cards to come down in price some. Unless you play games, then I think its a toss up. :D
Click to expand...

Well, I do play games. But now that college has started up again (sophomore year) I tend not to have a lot of time for that. So perhaps I will upgrade my RAM first.

I would really like to buy one of the ATI Radeon X850 XT's when they are available via third party vendors (ie- newegg.com, owc.com, etc...). But in the mean time, I guess i'll up my RAM first.
 
great to hear this...I am just waiting for my paycheck to go through....and then HULLOOO to crucial....will add 1GB more....max out my lil 12er... :cool: :D
 
Wish me luck, I'm about to break open this PB for the first time to install this new hard drive (the one in my sig). HOPEFULLY, I'll see you guys again in an hour or so...
 
Heb1228 said:
Wish me luck, I'm about to break open this PB for the first time to install this new hard drive (the one in my sig). HOPEFULLY, I'll see you guys again in an hour or so...
Click to expand...
Thank you, thank you folks! The new HD is installed and working wonderfully!

I am proud of myself for my first PB upgrade, it seems to have gone successfully! My PB booted in about half the time it normally takes.

I took the 80GB drive that came in it and replaced it with a 120GB 5400 RPM Seagate drive. Initially it seems to have given about a 10-15% speed boost on launching apps and stuff. Its a little but louder than the Hitachi drive that came in it (as in I can barely hear this one, couldn't hear the other one at all) and I pretty much expected it to be a little louder than the stock HD. But I'm happy with it so far. (Almost) like having a new PB :)
 
im about to throw a gig in my imac make it 1.5 gigs ( would it be beneificial just to make it 2gbs??, cost a bit more? ).., throw a 1 gig in my ibook to make it 1.5 gig, and my powerbook is gonna..be 2gb when ordered..
 
I upgraded from 256 to 1.25gb. Loved it. But I payed a bit much. For movie editing and gaames, am I getting maximum performence or do I need more ram?
 
ajampam said:
great to hear this...I am just waiting for my paycheck to go through....and then HULLOOO to crucial....will add 1GB more....max out my lil 12er... :cool: :D
Click to expand...

hey ajam how much did ya pay??
 
Heb1228 said:
I had 1GB RAM installed on my PB for the 2 years I've owned it and always wondered how much difference it would make to max out the memory up to 2GB.

It's made a huge difference! Before, I would frequently have >100 MB of memory free with 5 or 6 applications open and got spinning beachballs all the time. But now, I barely ever get them. Changing tabs on Safari is almost instantaneous, even when 3 or 4 other pages are loading at the same time in different tabs.

Just thought if anyone was wondering the same thing I'd let you know, it does make a huge difference!
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing, especially I do, considering that I have the same computer as you do (well before the RAM and HD upgrade)
Now I know that it is worth for me to upgrade my PowerBaby :)
When it comes to HD, I am gone hold of to the once with perpendicular write technology and gone get my self one of them in 160GB or 200GB capacity at 5400RPM which should much faster from my 4200RPM drive, plus they will also be denser.

Thanks again, now I know where my next paycheck goes.

I smell RAM :D
 
One more thing.

Have you upgraded your HD yourself or did you have someone (professional) else do it?
 
Great Ram

I just bought 2 gb 1 for my powerbook and 1 for a friends. It made a huge difference. I am now running 1.5 gig of ram. It is a whole new computer. I got it from Approved Memory. They have a ebay store and a retail location. You can order from ebay or directly from them over the phone and it is usally $4-$5 cheaper. They ship fast and it was the same Samsung ram. All is well after 3 weeks.

I told the guy Dave that I would post here because they test all there ram and stand behind it. No Questions!
I delt with Dave Reed at (949) 305-6530 or email him at dreed@approvedmemory.com he took good care of me. I paid $140 for 1 gb stick of Samsung ram for my 1.5ghz powerbook

I am not assosiated with them. I just thought I would let you guys know about a good deal. It is hard to find a good deal and know your getting a good product. :)
 
Im running 2.5GB of ram in my dual 2.5 PM. Wonderfully fast. So far this is as far as ive gotten without any lag or beachballing:

-Surfing in Safari, 3 tabs open
-Chatting on Adium
-Importing DV video into Final Cut Pro HD 4.5
-Toying with an image in Photoshop CS2
-Imaging a DVD with DVD Imager
-Ripping a DVD with MactheRipper
-Playing MP3s with iTunes

mind you everything was significantly slower than normal, but she never bogged or gave me a beachball. :)
The more RAM the better!
 
Mac_Freak said:
Have you upgraded your HD yourself or did you have someone (professional) else do it?
Click to expand...
I did it myself with the help of an illustrated how-to guide form pbfixit.com.

I was a little nervous, having only worked on desktop PCs before I switched. I never really cared if I messed those up, parts were cheap, but luckily I never did.

But getting into the Powerbook wasn't too tough, a lot of screws. It makes you appreciate the engineering marvel this thing is. And like I said, I didn't have any issues with doing it really.
 
G5Unit said:
I upgraded from 256 to 1.25gb. Loved it. But I payed a bit much. For movie editing and gaames, am I getting maximum performence or do I need more ram?
Click to expand...
I think you're doing pretty good right now, but if you see another 512 or 1GB for a good price it would help out some. I'm guessing that going much over 2GB, you see less and less performance increase.

With 2GB, I'm getting hardly any pageins/pageouts even pushing the machine a fair amount today
 
Heb1228 said:
I did it myself with the help of an illustrated how-to guide form pbfixit.com.

I was a little nervous, having only worked on desktop PCs before I switched. I never really cared if I messed those up, parts were cheap, but luckily I never did.

But getting into the Powerbook wasn't too tough, a lot of screws. It makes you appreciate the engineering marvel this thing is. And like I said, I didn't have any issues with doing it really.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I know about pbfixit.com they have really good step-by-step instructions.
Now knowing that you have done it your self, it gives me little more confidence on dong it my self too.

Thanks.
 
I just went from 512 to 1.25 in my Powerbook, and all I can say is "wow". I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner! huge difference, and I stand behind all the people that say that 512 isn't enough RAM any more ;)

~Earendil
 
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