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The minimum ram speed is 333 mhz, you can have ram that is faster than that, just not slower.  For example, my computer uses PC2100 DDR ram, however I can put PC2700 DDR ram in it because it's essentially the same ram, just faster.  If all the ram on your computer is recognized and working, then there's really no problem.

edit: BTW, I found out the minimum ram speed at apple-history.com

edit again: From looking at system profiler on my computer, I notice it doesn't give you the actual speed in mhz.  Your G4 should use PC2700 DDR ram, if you tried to put anything slower in there, like PC2100, it wouldn't work anyway, so like I said, if it's working and it recognizes the ram, there's no problem.

Last edited by the W'rkncacnter (2005-10-06 9:05 am)

Thanks for the url's/response/interest in my call for help.

The 4 RAM sticks ( 512 MB each ) installed for me are as follows:

3 STICKS:   PC2600U-25330

1 STICK:     PC2600U-30330

why would faster than required RAM work and not the other way around... that's actually pretty confusing.

Weighted Memory wrote:

why would faster than required RAM work and not the other way around... that's actually pretty confusing.

The RAM isn't "fast" in the same way a processor is "fast". It's like a minimum rating. It has to be rated for at least the speed of the RAM slot it plugs into. If the RAM is rated for a higher speed, big whoop. It's not going to make the machine any faster but it's not going to be a bottleneck either.

MacBoy4139 wrote:

Ask Apple why they put PC 2700 RAM into iBooks.

Because some of them run at a 142 Mhz bus speed and they wanted to match the speed of the memory to the FSB, so the next step up from 142 is the 166 Mhz standard speed of PC2700 (DDR333).

It also means Apple stocks the same parts for the iBooks as the Powerbooks, which have 166 MHz FSB and memory controllers. Since the price of the actual parts is almost identical, it probably saves Apple money on the paperwork end.

The Mac mini comes with PC3200 installed and only needs PC2700.  It saves Apple money since it buys that stuff for iMacs and G5s already.

dvpierce wrote:

MacBoy4139 wrote:

Ask Apple why they put PC 2700 RAM into iBooks.

Because some of them run at a 142 Mhz bus speed and they wanted to match the speed of the memory to the FSB, so the next step up from 142 is the 166 Mhz standard speed of PC2700 (DDR333).

It also means Apple stocks the same parts for the iBooks as the Powerbooks, which have 166 MHz FSB and memory controllers. Since the price of the actual parts is almost identical, it probably saves Apple money on the paperwork end.

The specs of iBooks only require PC 2100 RAM, and I'm talking about the RAM that they sell, not bundle with the computer.  PC 2700 RAM is more expensive than PC 2100 RAM.