This morning, I received the 2GB RAM kit that I ordered, and I've just installed it in my iMac. Now - those of you that have been around for a while (you know who you are) - will remember back in 2005 when I got myself worked up into a frenzy the last time I installed new RAM into my machine. I did have just the 512MB that came pre-installed, so when I found out that optimal performance was to be gained from having two matching RAM modules I bought another one to boost things to 1GB and hopefully unlock the wonders of the mythical "128-bit pipeline".
Now when I had just 512MB, Terminal reported this:
phil-laceys-imac-g5:~ Phil$ ioreg -p IODeviceTree -n memory -S | grep ram-
| "ram-layout-architecture" = <00000002>
| "ram-bus-width" = <00000040>
Then, when I went up to 1GB, I got this:
phil-laceys-imac-g5:~ Phil$ ioreg -p IODeviceTree -n memory -S | grep ram-
| "ram-layout-architecture" = <00000002>
| "ram-bus-width" = <00000080>
At the time, I really couldn't work out whether this meant I was using the 128-bit pipe or not - the bus width had changed, but not the architecture value. But more RAM is always good regardless, so I was happy. Things nipped along quite nicely.
So, for the sake of consistency, I tried the terminal report again now I have two matched 1GB sticks in the iMac - just to see what it would say. So we now have:
phil-laceys-imac-g5:~ Phil$ ioreg -p IODeviceTree -n memory -S | grep ram-
| "ram-layout-architecture" = <00000001>
| "ram-bus-width" = <00000080>
Which is different yet again. However, this Apple knowledgebase article would seem to suggest I am now at the very pinnacle of G5 iMac memory nirvana - 2GB of RAM, in a perfectly matched pair, running on the 128-bit pipeline.
That, my friends, is as good as it gets.
Beauty, firing on all cylinders, and now for Leopard............can you stick a faster hard disk in too or are is it there already? I recall talk of something larger but not quicker?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can tell me about that one... I need to do some research about the disk currently in the iMac, and what I can replace it with. Yes, larger for sure, but faster would be even better :o)
ReplyDeleteI've always found this site to be most informative > http://www.macupgrades.co.uk - and I notice there's a nice 1.5TB SATA II HD with a 32MB buffer at the top end of the G5 iMac upgrade listings, I suspect yours has an 8MB buffered drive in at present?I was actually thinking there might have been a 10,000 RPM option available as oppose to the standard 7,200's......there might still be......somewhere......you could always just stick one in and see what happens (I would).....there again, maybe a touch more research may be prudent......I'm just irresponsible :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's great news mate, - but did this bloke really have anything to do with your beloved Mac becoming the iconic symbol of techno style that you hold so dear!?http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7878566.stm
ReplyDelete