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Which is more important: a RAM upgrade or a processor upgrade?

iconoplast

19:10 / 17.06.04

I eventually want to do both, but which would have the greater immediate effect:

o) Upgrading from a 400MHz G3 to a 500 MHz G4
o) Upgrading from 1*128MB SDRAM to 2*512MB SDRAM

w1rebaby

19:42 / 17.06.04

Both of those will have a fairly hefty effect, but the RAM more so I think.

nedrichards is confused

19:44 / 17.06.04

RAM miles more so, especially if you're running OS X. Unix loves RAM. Also the RAM will be cheaper.

Tezcatlipoca

19:49 / 17.06.04

RAM, easily. It will allow your CPU to perform to a much fuller capacity (although - depending upon your computing requirements - you really should be upgrading both).

sleazenation

20:49 / 17.06.04

There is no substitute for extra RAM.

■

23:10 / 17.06.04

There are very few operations where memory is less important than CPU speed, especially if you already have a decent graphics card.
Go RAM.

lekvar

23:37 / 17.06.04

I think that depends which model of g3 you have. If you're using a beige box, I'd suggest the processor upgrade, since OS9 has a smaller RAM footprint. If you're running one of the blue & whites or n iMac I'd go for the RAM since Tiger (10.4) is about to come out and every iteration of X requires more RAM just to function.

Something else to bear in mind is you're going to need a 64 bit processor before too much longer just to boot or use current apps. That's the part I'm struggling with now.

iconoplast

23:59 / 17.06.04

Right. RAM Upgrade First. Yay, RAM.

This page says that the operation is medium-difficulty.

Is this really doable?

lekvar

00:40 / 18.06.04

Very doable, but not for the faint of heart. For a FUN time, try swapping out the power supply on one of the "educational model" g3s- the ones that look like teeth. It's right next to the bit that holds the charge for the CRT - deadly fun.

Hieronymus

20:22 / 18.06.04

I've been zapped by one of those when I used to work repairing Macs. Accidentally grabbed it to get leverage without realizing it was plugged in.

Not fun.

But RAM replacing on an iMac is pretty easy peasy. And a lot less jolting.

netbanshee

21:47 / 18.06.04

Appears to be an iMac, so I'll warn you a little bit. It's not the typical easy upgrade of say a tower, but it's not undoable if you're comfortable with electronics. Yes, Ram is the best thing you can do a computer as well as a decent RPM hard drive since that's the slowest component in the chain. Be careful with the clips on the edges of the top slot (I believe it swivels up) since they are pretty easy to snap off.

I'd also price out what your investment looks like and figure out the costs you're considering. An eMac may end up being affordable when all things are considered and you can get 'em pretty cheap. Don't invest too much into something that may be turning a bit legacy.

Check places like Dealmac for some decent pricing on components and the like.

iconoplast

13:30 / 19.06.04

I think I want to do the installations myself - why should Windows geeks get all the fun, reinstalling this, pugrading that, overclocking things left and right?

So while buying an iMac might be comparably priced, (1) Mine is graphite, which is the coolest color they come in, (2) I have some sense of loyalty to my compuer, and (3) I think the installations should be fun.

So, yeah - I'm ordering the RAM as soon as I've paid my tuition.

Go team geek.

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