[Neversoft]

Basically I am looking to upgrade. I would like to know a good online site where I can find the following at reasonable prices (I would like to order them all from the same website):
1. Another 80 GB harddrive.
2. Video Card (at least 128mb)
3. Memory, got 512mb want at least another 512mb stick.
Thanks in advance for the help!

[macnuke]

HI
if that's a G5 powermac... I do believe your RAM must be installed in matched pairs.
so it's not a 512M stick.. you need matched 256's for the 512.
OWC, MacMall, Macwarehouse(CDW) and many others can fix you up with your HD and Video card.
personally, i use Crucial for my memory.. make sure whomever you buy memory from (1) knows it's for a G5 Mac, (2) guaranteed 100% lifetime, no questions asked, exchanged or money back warranty.
m

[Neversoft]

My system does have 1 512MB stick installed already. So I need to get another 512 or it will not work-thats kind of weird. Other than that crucail is probably where i'll go. Thanks for the list of sites I will check them all out later.

[macnuke]

Apple 1.6G memory specs
then you are missing one. I can't see your G5 working with one stick in it.
as you need Matched pairs, the odds of buying one stick to pair with what you have and it working are slim slim slim.
you can fight it, but why? just buy a matched pair.

[mdawson]

Hmm. Only one DIMM, it does sound like you are missing RAM card, but perhaps the 1.6GHz G5 has an RAM bus architecture similar to that of the iMac. For the past several years Apple has offered the lowest level PowerMac with a slightly different motherboard configuration from the mid- and upper-level offerings, hence the 4GB RAM limitation vs. 8GB in the other models. One of the FAQs in reference to the iMac G5 was whether or not RAM had to be added in matched pairs which it does not. That being the case, I do recall reading an article some time ago that stated that memory performance improved in the iMac G5 if RAM is added in matched pairs but matched pairs are not obligatory.
If your PowerMac is functioning with only one DIMM then perhaps the motherboard on that model of PowerMac is similar to the one in the iMac in terms of RAM. If that is the case then it would be beneficial to you to buy in matched pairs just to eek out a little more performance. That said, Crucial does have decent RAM prices, but you may also want to check out MemoryToGo as you can often save a few more bucks. I have purchased RAM from them since 2001 and I have never had issues with any DIMMs from MemoryToGo.

[macnuke]

md..
check that link out I posted.. it's the 1.6 specs.. and it says "matched pairs" are required. unless someone took a PM case and stuck an iMac mobo in it.. i can't see it as a functional powermac mobo.
nuther thread, but..
and matched pairs in an iMac are borderline between real world speed and benchmark speed.
you can. but if you already have one card in your iMac, don't worry about it.
m

[mdawson]

Yeah, I saw the specs, but it sounded like he was getting away with running his G5 with only one DIMM which is odd. That is why I assumed that his motherboard may have an architecture similar to that of the iMac, not the iMacs motherboard itself. Apple may have simply indicated that all of the PowerMac G5s need matched pairs across the board for convenience, but it may actually not be a necessity in the low-end model if Neversofts is truly working fine with only one DIMM.

[macnuke]

hrmm perhaps.
wish I had an SP G5 powermac laying around.. I know my DP is mandatory for matched pairs, but I am wondering if the 1.6 and the 1.8 singles can all get away with one ram card. would try it if i had one.
might be a thing for someone with an SP laying around.
m

[Neversoft]

Macnuke maybe you can help me, I bought my powermac and if i click the "about this mac" button it says if have 512mb or RAM. I got worried when I saw your link so i opened the case and sure enough there where 2 512 sticks in there. My question to you is, why is my machine only recognizing one?

[macnuke]

when you click on "About This Mac.
you will see a box labeled MORE INFO.
this will open your System Profiler. lots more info there.
click the arrow next to "Hardware" in the left column.
then click once on "Memory"
to the right, your memory configuration will be displayed.
Memory SlotSize
DIMM0/J11 256 MB DDR SDRAM
DIMM1/J12 256 MB DDR SDRAM
and DIMM2 and 3 listed as Empty.
there is your 512M of memory.
i betcha
/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
so if that's the case, you can add a pair of 256's for a total of 1G.
for price/Mb, you usually get a better buy at 512M.. that would give you 1.5G of memory.
long as whatever pair you buy is matched.. they do not have to match the other pair other than being DDR400 SDRAM.
and a good Mac Memory dealer knows what to sell you. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
open it up and let us know what you find.

[xo1]

Hi, you probably have 2 dimm of 256mg that's why it read only 512mg.

[Neversoft]

It shows that I have 2 512 MB sticks installed. However, at the first screen it says I only have 512 total. I am confused...

[macnuke]

get your original DVD's out
one is labeled "Additional Software & Apple Hardware Test.
put in in and reboot holding the C key. it won't be fast. but it gets you into the Hardware Test.
run it and see what it says about your memory... run the Extended Test.
it really doesn't sound right if you Profiler shows 2x 512 which = 1G and About is only showing 512.
m

[Neversoft]

I repaired perissions, robooted and it is fine now. I bought it with tiger installed so i think I should reinstall as well. Thanks for you help macnuke!