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#1 2006-08-17 10:44 am
- reefdog
- Manly man
- Registered: 2000-05-15
- Posts: 10701
Intel iMac RAM: Different from normal 200-Pin SO-DIMM PC2 5300?
While researching a 1GB RAM upgrade for a family member's new Intel iMac 17", I came across some confusing factoids: NewEgg has two sticks of Kingston RAM that are identical spec-wise, and yet have a price difference of over $30.
Kingston 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory - $88.99
Kingston 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory - $119.99
The only difference is that the more expensive one specifically states compatibility with the iMac (and it's the one that comes up when you use the Kingston website's RAM-finder), and doesn't mention the CAS Latency or voltage. But since they're identical chips, is there any reason I can't use the cheaper one? 200 pins... check. DDR 667... check. PC2 5300... check. SO-DIMM... check. What's the catch?
Help me smart people. Help me.
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#2 2006-08-17 1:08 pm
- reefdog
- Manly man
- Registered: 2000-05-15
- Posts: 10701
Re: Intel iMac RAM: Different from normal 200-Pin SO-DIMM PC2 5300?
Well, now I'm even more confused. According to this Apple tech doc, "early 2006" iMacs ship with single sticks of RAM, while "mid-2006" iMacs ship with RAM pairs (ala MacBook and Mac mini) and should be replaced similarly. But the current iMac Apple Store page shows that they still ship with one stick... and besides, that same document says that "parity" RAM shouldn't be used! Um. Does anyone know what's going on here?
From the sound of it, the cheaper RAM will be just fine. Apple's just being confusing.
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