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iMac G5 17inch iSight Memories

zcarm2013

zcarm2013

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 18, 2013
36
16
Hi all, sorry but I really would need some help please. I purchased an iMac G5, 17inch iSight - Model 1144 pretty cheap but facing issues to find the correct RAM for it. I have ordered 533 MHz, PC2-4200 but they do not fit as they have 240 pins. I really google a lot in order to understand how many pins the RAM must have. To make the story short, is it correct the memories must have 184 pins. And if, they are very hard to find. Where could purchase 2 GB RAM which would fit. Thank you for any advice.
 
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An iSight iMac G5 uses standard DDR2 modules which have 240 pins.
The earlier iMac G5 models use standard DDR modules which have 184 pins.

If you’re sure you have the correct memory, check if you’re trying to insert the module correctly — they’re keyed to prevent inserting them “the other way around.”
 
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Amethyst1 said:
An iSight iMac G5 uses standard DDR2 modules which have 240 pins.
The earlier iMac G5 models use standard DDR modules which have 184 pins.

If you’re sure you have the correct memory, check if you’re trying to insert the module correctly — they’re keyed to prevent inserting them “the other way around.”
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for your response. I am still confused. As mentioned the 240 pin didnt fit in and I know how you can insert memories (knowing about the lock). Please can you have a look at the image I shared. Underneath the stand you see 2005 / 11 / 7 - Model A1144 - In this manual (https://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/imac/imacg5_17_isight.pdf) , they are talking about 184 pins Memory....So, I still dont know if the one I have is an earlier model as you mentioned (which have 184pins). Issue. I really dont like to buy again incorrect RAM's - Thank you very much -
 

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zcarm2013 said:
Hi, thanks for your response. I am still confused. As mentioned the 240 pin didnt fit in and I know how you can insert memories (knowing about the lock). Please can you have a look at the image I shared. Underneath the stand you see 2005 / 11 / 7 - Model A1144 - In this manual (https://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/imac/imacg5_17_isight.pdf) , they are talking about 184 pins Memory....So, I still dont know if the one I have is an earlier model as you mentioned (which have 184pins). Issue. I really dont like to buy again incorrect RAM's - Thank you very much -
Click to expand...

Pinging @Project Alice …
 
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zcarm2013 said:
As mentioned the 240 pin didnt fit in and I know how you can insert memories (knowing about the lock). Please can you have a look at the image I shared. Underneath the stand you see 2005 / 11 / 7 - Model A1144 - In this manual (https://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/imac/imacg5_17_isight.pdf) , they are talking about 184 pins Memory....
Click to expand...
The service manual mentions 184-pin DDR1 but other sources (e.g. EveryMac, Mactracker, PR) mention 240-pin DDR2. How many memory slots does your iMac have, one or two?
 
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zcarm2013 said:
As mentioned the 240 pin didnt fit in and I know how you can insert memories (knowing about the lock)
Click to expand...
According to the DDR Wikipedia has 184 pins vs DDR2 240 pins. Other members gladly pointed that other information sources are more reliable than official Apple docs. Because like I mentioned we tested in our iMac G5 that support without incompatibilities and errors DDR2 4Gb sticks and even above speed.

I love the external design of those iMac G5 series, but in the maintenance, I really curse and hate every engineer that was involved in the redesign of this lineup, because the first generation of iMac G5 was a easy/pleasure to open, but this iSight it's a pain, and I know that the RAM replacement isn't "easy", but if you have the ring tabs properly out and insert correctly the RAM module it would fit.

Like I said in that thread it would fit any DDR2 modules that I tested (I used "PC overclock RAM", but the heatspreader won't fit, then I carefully removed and no problems), so no need for any "Apple Special part/component".
 
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zcarm2013 said:
Hi, thanks for your response. I am still confused. As mentioned the 240 pin didnt fit in and I know how you can insert memories (knowing about the lock). Please can you have a look at the image I shared. Underneath the stand you see 2005 / 11 / 7 - Model A1144 - In this manual (https://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/imac/imacg5_17_isight.pdf) , they are talking about 184 pins Memory....So, I still dont know if the one I have is an earlier model as you mentioned (which have 184pins). Issue. I really dont like to buy again incorrect RAM's - Thank you very much -
Click to expand...
I don’t own a 17” iSight. But as others pointed out, it should take the same DDR2 memory as the 20” one I have.
 
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