Performance (Branded) RAM vs Value RAM

[twopenn'orth]

Right I have decided that I am going to buy a 1GB Kingston Brand RAM for my powerbook G4 KTA-PBG4333/1G.

But a computer guy at the place where I work question whether this is value for money. He points out that if i buy the brand name RAM, but the Powerbook G4 comes with a value RAM then the I am not going to get the full benefit of my brand RAM. This he said was due to the value RAM slowing down the brand name RAM.

Is this correct?!! or have i mistaken what he was saying. I thought the difference between brand and value RAMs were that the brand RAM are tested more and come with lifetime warranty. But overall the performance are about the same in time of speed.

Whats the likely chance of Apple having value RAM to start of with?

Any comments?? I am a bit confuse??

 

[brap]

The RAM shipped in Apple machines is always fairly low-spec. High-latency settings for stability's sake.

Basically, get the cheapest you can. Frys does a deal on Legacy electronics RAM, lifetime warranted too (although Frys don't tell you that!). I've never had a problem with cheapy RAM before.

 

[msharp]

The RAM shipped in Apple machines is always fairly low-spec. High-latency settings for stability's sake.

Basically, get the cheapest you can. Frys does a deal on Legacy electronics RAM, lifetime warranted too (although Frys don't tell you that!). I've never had a problem with cheapy RAM before.

o really???

I thought Apple computers were all Memory-Sensitive. I bought a pair of KingMax 256 pc3200 ram for my PowerMac G5 but it sometime crashes!!!

but if you are right, i'll buy some cheap ram for my PowerBook and give them a try.

any comments?

 

[brap]

I thought Apple computers were all Memory-Sensitive.

Yeah, so does everyone else. This is why Crucial et al feel it is necessary to hike the prices of RAM which is "Mac compatible".

From my experience (I'm on my 4th Apple laptop), value RAM works just fine.

 

[msharp]

Yeah, so does everyone else. This is why Crucial et al feel it is necessary to hike the prices of RAM which is "Mac compatible".

From my experience (I'm on my 4th Apple laptop), value RAM works just fine.

All right, I'll go with some value ram, and maybe i can buy you a drink when your advice saves me $200.

 

[brap]

All right, I'll go with some value ram, and maybe i can buy you a drink when your advice saves me $200.

If you have a look around on the forums, you'll find a fairly long list of suppliers whose memory works just fine... this is a fairly well discussed topic. I remember the NewEgg cheapy stick, and the Fry's ones work well. See what you can find

 

[vtprinz]

I thought the difference between brand and value RAMs were that the brand RAM are tested more and come with lifetime warranty. But overall the performance are about the same in time of speed.

This is generally true. The only thing you need to make sure of when buying RAM is that it's mac compatible and it has a lifetime warranty. You'll sometimes find that name brand RAM has higher specs, but nowadays even no-name cheap RAM has pretty good specs.

Check out the discussion boards on apples site. I know there's a huge thread (300+ replies) on the PM discussion board of people listing what RAM sticks have worked and which have not. There may be one for the PB as well.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Hi, I bought the ram from Frys (Outpost) and it's been great for my iBook and saved about $125 but hey if it works it works. My first stick of "name brand" ram died 3 days after it was put in To each his/her own.

 

[CanadaRAM]

First off, ValueRAM is Kingston's trademark for their generic memory line. Apple has never to my knowledge shipped machines containing Kingston ValueRAM.

The Kingston KVR- (ValueRAM) series of modules are not guaranteed by Kingston for use in Macintoshes and for example there is ample discussion here and on other boards that the KVR memory is incompatible with the Mini.

The only RAM that Kingston guarantees in Macs is the KTA- series.

>This he said was due to the value RAM slowing down the brand name RAM.

Absolute hooey - find a new tech advisor. If the RAM is properly specified, there is no speed difference. Put another way, your Mac will not go faster if you put in more expensive or higher-spec RAM. Every Mac runs the RAM at a constant speed, even if the RAM is "capable" of running faster.
-- (If the "value" RAM is not properly specified it shouldn't have been sold for the Mac, of course.)

Note: Crucial has stated that their generic DDR SODIMM modules such as CT12864X335 1 Gb at $339 do NOT work in most Powerbooks, and that you have to buy their Apple-specific part numbers (CT368080 1 Gb at $479).
From Crucial: "The AP parts are proprietary and are built special for these applications, therefore they cost us quite a bit more to have manufactured."

As has been said: Buy only from a seller who guarantees compatibility in writing for your model Mac.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[brap]

As has been said: Buy only from a seller who guarantees compatibility in writing for your model Mac.

Perhaps you can tell us what's so special about Magical Macintosh Memory?

The computer world works on standards; ATA, PCI, AGP, DDR - each has a specification it must be manufactured to to meet the standard. If Mac memory was "special" then it would, wait, no. It must be labeled as so.

 

[vtprinz]

Perhaps you can tell us what's so special about Magical Macintosh Memory?

The computer world works on standards; ATA, PCI, AGP, DDR - each has a specification it must be manufactured to to meet the standard. If Mac memory was "special" then it would, wait, no. It must be labeled as so.

I don't think it's anything to do with it being "special," macs are just really picky about configurations. A mac specific stick with the same specs as a pc stick will run the same.

Now, I don't claim to know a damn thing about how memory chips work, and you would think that with the right specs it should work, regardless of whether it's configured for a mac. I don't really know what is different to make it work in a mac. But I'm pretty sure it doesn't make it special, just makes it a pain in the ass for unaware buyers

 

[brap]

I don't think it's anything to do with it being "special," macs are just really picky about configurations.

If so, then you should be entitled to the refund of your choice. None of this "We don't guarantee compatibility with Macs" bull - if it's the right spec, it will work. If it doesn't work, then therefore, it's not manufactured to spec.
If the Mac is rejecting sticks left and right, then it's Apple's problem for misleading the customer - something I doubt they'd like to get into. Likewise, if the memory is marketed as of a certain spec, but fails to work on any machine (not just Macs), it's their problem for not complying.

I'm not sure how it works in the US, but over here this would be covered under the Trade Descriptions Act...

 

[bousozoku]

Regardless what specifications say, they are still general guidelines and have plenty of leeway. Within those general parameters, one stick should not cause a problem for another.

Apple has a lot of sources but would never use pathetic RAM like Kingston ValueRAM. I noticed that you said "a value RAM" not Kingston ValueRAM but are you alluding to that?

I have a 1.33 GHz PowerBook now and I was checking 1 GB modules but at $235-$280 from OtherWorld Computing, they were too expensive for me at this time. Crucial wanted over $500 when I checked earlier this week.

While there is plenty of RAM out there, I'm uncomfortable with buying RAM that doesn't come from a reliable Macintosh source. I've only bought TechWorks and OWC RAM for my Macintoshes and have never had a problem.

 

[vtprinz]

www.dealram.com has mac compatible RAM for much much cheaper than crucial (with a similar system search that crucial uses). As someone pointed out, crucial wants about $500 for a 1GB chip, dealram offers as low as $210 I believe, but I don't know if those chips have warranties.

 

[WildCowboy]

I just bought the $240 1GB stick from OWC for my new PB...lifetime advance replacement warranty, no tax in CA, and free shipping (but there is a $1.00 insurance charge...that almost broke the bank). No problems so far...avoid Crucial and their pricing tactics. If you find something cheaper that works, great. But yes, the lifetime warranty is key.