How do I upgrade my iMac G5?

[AlanS]

I know this is probably a much covered topic, but please excuse me...I am new, not too computer savvy.
I have an iMac G5- 2ghz- 17".
It currently has 512 ram.
I know that I can upgrade to a max of 2ghz. I have been warned about inferior ram.

1. Where is a reliable source for ram (being that I know nothing!!)

2. I would love to upgrade my operating system( I run OSX version 10.4.11) .to allow for all the new stuff that is out there. What do I need to do to upgrade my OS? Is it worth it?
3. I cannot afford the new i-Mac's ($1600), so I want to bring this one as far up to the year 2010 as I can (within reason).
4. What improvements can I expect with more memory?

Any ideas? If so, please be gentle with the tech talk. A.

 

[Zedsdead185]

I know that I can upgrade to a max of 2ghz.

I take it you meant 2gb

1. Where is a reliable source for ram (being that I know nothing!!)

Crucial.com are very good. Easy to find what ram your machine takes and is cheap.

2. I would love to upgrade my operating system( I run OSX version 10.4.11) .to allow for all the new stuff that is out there. What do I need to do to upgrade my OS? Is it worth it?

apples latest version of OS X, snow leopard (10.6), is intel machine only i'm afraid so it won't be compatible with your imac G5. Leopard will be the most advanced OS you could use, and thats good enough in my opinion, i still use it, not really needed to upgrade yet. You should be able to find a cheap leopard disk on ebay, though you won't be able to buy it from apple now.

3. I cannot afford the new i-Mac's ($1600), so I want to bring this one as far up to the year 2010 as I can (within reason).

Well memory and the os upgrade are the best things you can do. they are also the easiest. you culd think about upgrading the harddrive, but its tricky for an imac, plus it voids any warranty you have left on the machine (tho if its a G5 i take it thats none). I'd advise to just get an external HD if you need more space.
The biggest downfall with your imac tho is the G5 processor. Since apple have started using intel chips, things have been going more that way. Plus, a lot of things are heading towards multi-core processors now as well. Sadly nothing can be done about that without buying a brand new mac. Though if it was one of the later G5 imacs then i dont think it would matter too much, depending on what you use it for mind you.

4. What improvements can I expect with more memory?

Loads and loads with such a large upgrade from 512mb to 2gb. I wouldn't personally consider using a 512mb machine nowadays . for the record as well, my macbook pro that i'm using now runs on 2gb memory, and its great, tho i have been thinking of an upgrade myself recently. OS X loves extra memory no matter how much you already have.


All in all, you could upgrade it a decent amount for very little money really. Though nothing you do to it will compare to a brand new imac like you hope for.

Hope this was of help to you.

 

[Sun Baked]

2GB DDR RAM Kit $125
Tiger OS Retail Box $130
New HD $100
iLife $80 = 435

or

Refurbished Mac Mini 500-525

I'd suggest keeping the same OS and adding a single RAM DIMM, and simply speeding up what you have and saving up for a refurb Mini if you have a spare monitor laying around.

Though some of the refurb iMacs are $850 at the moment.

 

[Zedsdead185]

2GB DDR RAM Kit $125
Tiger OS Retail Box $130
New HD $100
iLife $80 = 435

actually, more like
2gb ram kit $85.99 http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=CE547404A5CA7304 ( that is the exact ram you'd need by the way)
though the leopard install disks are more expensive than i thought. I suppose its cos you can't buy them brand new anymore.http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=leopard+os+x&_sacat=See-All-Categories
iLife isn't really needed, unless you want the latest iphoto, garageband, imovie, idvd and iweb
Plus, a new HD can really range in price depending on what size and whether you decide to choose external or internal.

If you really want t be more up to date than that, and you do have a spare monitor hanging around somewhere, then maybe a mac mini is the right option.

 

[Sun Baked]

actually, more like
2gb ram kit $85.99 http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=CE547404A5CA7304 ( that is the exact ram you'd need by the way)
though the leopard install disks are more expensive than i thought. I suppose its cos you can't buy them brand new anymore.http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=leopard+os+x&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Ooops, sorry accidentally doubled it only $75 for the 2GB kit at macsales.com, the IDE HDs will be a bit tougher to find the larger ones, with scads of the small ones between $40-50. Probably easier to spend the entire $100 and just buy an external now, and take it with you to the new machine.