2/13    Buying 1GB PC3200 DDR memory for my G5-- any suggestions? I'm leary
        of the top 5 returns from pricewatch....
        \_ on a G5 make sure you get good memory and not some generic
           PW crap. I'd check Kingston to find out what sort of timing
           and stuff they'd put on their branded Mac compatible RAM and
           then go w/ a generic maker that matches those specs (or
           just get the Kingston/Crucial/etc at some discount shop).
        \_ Are you in the bay area? If so, just wait for Fry's to have
           a sale on 2x512 PC3200 DDR Ram by either Corsair or Kingston.
           A agree w/ the above poster, get good name brand ram for
           I agree w/ the above poster, get good name brand ram for
           your G5.
        \_ Geil
           \_ why are new computers so picky about RAM? I had similar RAM
              issues with my new Athlon MB which only took expensive RAM even
              though they had the exact same specifications. So much for
              plug-and-play. It's becoming more like plug-and-hope-to-play.
                 \_ The reason that newer computers are picky is that
                    as cpus get faster and faster you have to keep
                    the damn thing fed w/ data faster and faster.
                    This means that that the RAM must strictly
                    adhere to the cpu's tolerances or things just
                    won't work (if signal coming from ram is off
                    by just a few ns, it didn't use to be a big
                    deal, now, it is well nigh impossible to tell
                    if there was an error, &c.)
                    While the cheap ram might work, they clearly
                    do not test the chips as rigorously as the
                    brand name vendors.
              \_ Uhm, no. Computers have ALWAYS been picky about memory. We
                 used to have issues on SDRAMs during the PIII days, especially
                 when the first chipsets came out. I still have a board that
                 only takes Samsung SDRAM. You need to go read your Mobo
                 manual and find out what type and make of RAM it supports.
                 Generic cheapo RAM sometimes are pulls and there are
                 timing issues with pulls. Certain Mobos just are very
                 sensitive to timing issues on RAM, so be careful.
                 -williamc
                 \_ No, they haven't.  Previously, only slot type and
                    layout.  -John
                 \_ How old are you William? I'm 35. Back in my days when
                    Pentium 75Mhz was hot and everyone overclocked it to
                    100Mhz, we could use whatever RAM we wanted. You're right
                    in respect to your time frame, and I'm right in respect
                    to my time frame. Kids these days...
                    \_ Dude, you are a fossil.
                    \_ Young punk. When I first started w/ computers RAM
                       was ferrite cores.
                        \_ I used to draw on my dad's old punch cards with
                           crayon when I was a kid, does that count?
                           \_ At least you know what a punch card is.
                              My intern saw one and though it was some
                              kind of ballot.
                      \_ gosh I miss the punchcard days when punchcard
                         specifications were simple and complete and they
                         didn't have any compatibility issue. Nowadays
                         everything's bigger, harder to specify, and
                         near impossible for formal compatibility validation.
                  \_ All heil motd, 70's version of newsgroup, still
                     operational as of 2005           -elite guy from the 80s
           \_ Is there a difference between a single 1GB stick and two 512mbs?
              \_ Yes, two take up two slots and can run in dual-channel mode.
                 \_ Clever. Is there a difference in performance?
                    \_ There is with single vs. dual channel if the motherboard
                       supports it. Otherwise it should be the same unless the
                       mobo specifies otherwise.
                       \_ FYI, the G5 supports dual channel.
              \_ you must install symmetric pairs of RAM stick in a G5