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Will Apple use DDR2 or DDR3 RAM in the Montevina iMacs?

T

Tsurisuto

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 13, 2007
346
8
And if they don't, can I buy and install DDR3 RAM myself, or will there be a restriction by Apple on the type of RAM supported?

The only reason I ask is that current DDR3 is very expensive and I don't see Apple eating into their own profit margin.
 
CanadaRAM said:
You cannot substitute DDR3 for DDR2 or vice versa - they are incompatible. So whatever type Apple designs into the motherboard you're stuck with.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response.

I have a feeling that I'm going to be stuck with DDR2 RAM when I upgrade my ageing iMac G5 2.0Ghz before the year's end. I hope Apple at least choose to go with 800Mhz DDR2 and not stay with the current 667Mhz.
 
The current ram apple uses in the minis and imacs has been available for a while, and is widely used. It's plentiful, and inexpensive. DDR3, on the other hand, is supposed to be awfully expensive, and I've read a couple of articles stating that its performance doesn't justify its price compared with DDR2.
 
I am quite confident Apple will stick with DDR2 with Montevina since it will protect current user's investment in RAM (many purchased DDR2-800 for their DDR2-667 Macs).

DDR3 will likely come with Nehalam, especially on the Mac Pro.
 
no ddr3

We won't see DDR3 until the CAS and RAS latency numbers get out of near-double-digit range.

avg ddr3 timings are gross: 8-8-8-18.
 
czeluff said:
We won't see DDR3 until the CAS and RAS latency numbers get out of near-double-digit range.

avg ddr3 timings are gross: 8-8-8-18.
Click to expand...

Montevina goes up to DDR3-1066. This memory is commonly at CL7.
 
mreg376 said:
Bragging rights. 800 is a larger number than 667. Some people aren't happy unless they have the latest, highest specs. I seriously doubt that anyone on this forum could tell a real-world difference.
Click to expand...
I'm going to ignore higher bandwidth and lower voltages.
 
mreg376 said:
But wouldn't the same apply? If the machine calls for DDR2, you think you would see a benefit from using DDR3?
Click to expand...
As it has already been said DDR3 and DDR2 can't substitute for each other in the same slots.

DDR3 offers the benefits of greater bandwidth per clock and lower voltages. Montevina offers support for both memory types but it appears to be up to the manufacturer on what type their motherboard will use. Expect Montevina laptops with either DDR2 or DDR3 depending on their purpose.

Is there something else that I'm missing?
 
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