Mac Memory Roundup Q1 2005 - In Search of Affordable Upgrades

Power Mac G5 Memory

While both the PowerBook and mini could use more memory, the Power Mac G5 is designed for memory upgrades. With most models having a full 8 DIMM slots, expansion is not only permitted, but encouraged by the design. You have to install DIMMs in pairs, so all DIMMs that were submitted were done as such. Keep in mind that most of these dual channel upgrade kits are advertised as the total memory size, not individual module size. So, if a module is labeled as a part of a 1GB package, it's most likely only a 512MB stick.

Once again, warranties and performance are identical between all contenders, so the comparison boils down to price. Apple offers aftermarket upgrades for the G5 through their store; however, their prices are extremely inflated, so we're here to present the alternatives.

PDP actually offered the best price at $168 for a 1GB upgrade, but finding the DIMMs may take a little bit of work. We had relatively good success with our online shopping partner, shopping.com.

For the 2GB upgrade, prices varied quite a bit ranging from as little as $382 to as much as $683 (not counting Apple's $800 upgrade). Mushkin takes the win at $382 for the 2GB upgrade.

Corsair

Corsair TWINX CMX512-3200C2PT (2 x 512MB)

Like OCZ, Corsair also uses a heatspreader on their Mac DIMMs, which makes them a tighter fit in systems like the iMac G5. Corsair's heatspreader is thinner than OCZ's, so it's not as much of a problem. The DIMMs will fit - it'll just be snug.

Crucial

Crucial CT322476 (2 x 512MB) / Crucial CT357475 (2 x 1GB)

Kingston

Kingston KTA-G5400/1G (2 x 512MB) / Kingston KTA-G5400/2G (2 x 1GB)

Mushkin

Mushkin 1GB PC3200 Dual Pack (2 x 512MB) / Mushkin 2GB PC3200 Dual Pack (2 x 1GB)

OCZ

OCZ PC3200 1GB Dual Channel (2 x 1GB)

PDP

PDP PSA1GG5K (2 x 512MB) / PDP PSA2GG5K (2 x 1GB)

Transcend

TS512MAPG5400K (2 x 512MB) / TS1GAPG5400K (2 x 1GB)