How much RAM will mobo hold
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
Hi! Short answer: In reality, without knowing the exact motherboard and rev, and possible processor (AMDs have DRAM controller internal), no one can say with 100% certainty! :) Sorry, anyone that tells you otherwise likely isn't a hardware engineer (like me), has never done high-speed DRAM design (like me), has never done a high-speed signal integrity intensive design (like me), and/or has never used $$$$ signal integrity tools (like me). In reality, every DRAM module model number is different! That includes speed and module Rev number. All motherboards list tested/approved DRAM modules, the capacities, the speed, the module part number. In reality, without that info, it is a total CR*P SHOOT!! Some capacities may and may not work. Some speeds may and may not work. And, if it's an older motherboard, good luck finding those specific part numbers! There are many real life issues with DRAM modules. They all differ in capacitance, trace length, trace matching, impedance differences (trace to trace), etc. And, every DRAM has different (but "very close") specs - even for the same speed/size/etc. There are hold time, setup time, capacitance, tolerance of termination, etc issues. In general, you can likely put in 1GB DRAM module in each. As long as they are the same speed grade as your current 512MB module(s). Your best bet would be to go with name brand modules that support faster access times. BUT, there is a "decent" chance that you may have to tweak your BIOS settings to lower the DRAM access speed, and/or lengthen the accesses. Consider it like speeding on the highway during a holiday. You know there are speed traps. But, still, "most/many" people can speed and not get caught. Same with doing a DRAM upgrade without going by the Manufacture's manual. BTW: I very very strongly suggest that you do a disk image before you try out a DRAM upgrade. However again, many people speed during the holidays, they don't have radar detectors, and they don't get tickets. Just because something is foolish, doesn't mean that people don't do it, and not get screwed. For me, I avoid doing foolish things if I know they are foolish beforehand. Wish I could be of more help. Oh well. At least I can say "it won't be a massive loss of money if it doesn't work". :) (And, of course, you first did a disk image.) Good Luck! _____ Joe Principal Hardware/Software Engineer over a dozen years. Hardware/So
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
You could try to use hardware diagnosis software to find out the manufacturer and model of the board, then look that one up on the web.
Cheers, Sebastian -- "If it was two men, the non-driver would have challenged the driver to simply crash through the gates. The macho image thing, you know." - Marc Clifton
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
Download CPU-ID. It is a program that can tell you alot about your computer, including motherboard, memory, and memory timings. The post you got from mustang86 was WAY overkill in how hard it is to find memory upgrades. If it is an older computer, yes is it harder, but umless you are looking for 72-pin SDRAM, you should be fine. Also, memory upgrades, in my experience (I've done thousands), doesn't cause data corruption issues. The only thing is if you get memory with the wrong timings, your system will be unstable, something I am sure you do not want. Basically, use CPU-ID to get your motherboard model number, Google that to find max RAM, and memory timing numbers. Then, I would suggest using an online store to find the memory that you find will work.
The best way to accelerate a Macintosh is at 9.8m/sec² - Marcus Dolengo
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Download CPU-ID. It is a program that can tell you alot about your computer, including motherboard, memory, and memory timings. The post you got from mustang86 was WAY overkill in how hard it is to find memory upgrades. If it is an older computer, yes is it harder, but umless you are looking for 72-pin SDRAM, you should be fine. Also, memory upgrades, in my experience (I've done thousands), doesn't cause data corruption issues. The only thing is if you get memory with the wrong timings, your system will be unstable, something I am sure you do not want. Basically, use CPU-ID to get your motherboard model number, Google that to find max RAM, and memory timing numbers. Then, I would suggest using an online store to find the memory that you find will work.
The best way to accelerate a Macintosh is at 9.8m/sec² - Marcus Dolengo
Expert Coming wrote:
The post you got from mustang86 was WAY overkill in how hard it is to find memory upgrades.
I figured that out after the second sentence.
Expert Coming wrote:
Also, memory upgrades, in my experience (I've done thousands), doesn't cause data corruption issues.
I've never lost data due to inserting bad/wrong memory. At worst, the computer just failed to boot. The 512MB module that is currently in it is from Kingston so I have all of the important numbers. The key is just to determine if the mobo maxes out at 1 or 2GB. I'll locate the mobo's make/model (hopefully) this evening.
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
Kingston has a memory configurator on their homepage that will tell you what/how much memory and combinations thereof you can use on your MB. Your task is to find out make and model...
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It has two banks, one with a 512MB module in it and the other is empty. I'm pretty sure that I could put another 512MB module in the other bank, but I'd really like to put a 1GB module in both banks. I just don't know if the machine would support it. It's a "generic" machine so how can I tell? Thanks. DC
"Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw later in life what you have deposited along the way." - Unknown
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons