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Brain Surgery Pt.3
After the G5's memory upgrade and the iBook 1.2GHz memory upgrade, this time, the all new 1.67 GHz 15" PowerBook received an additional 1GB DDR-2 memory upgrade.
Like shown in Apple's Memory Card Replacement Instructions, adding an additional memory module to the PowerBook is neither difficult nor scary. Even the latest incarnation of the now faster PowerBook comes with only 512 MB Ram. However, this is the first time Apple uses the faster and also cheaper DDR-2 Ram, to be precise, 512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (running at 333MHz).
All new PowerBook G4 models come standard with 512MB of memory running at 333MHz. The 12-inch PowerBook G4 uses PC2700 DDR SDRAM, while the 15-inch and 17-inch models use PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM. For a considerable performance improvement when working with large files, the memory in the 12-inch model can be expanded to 1.25GB, and the 15-inch and 17-inch models can accommodate up to 2GB. Both the 15-inch and 17-inch models come with 512MB of memory in a single SO-DIMM, leaving a slot open for future memory upgrades.
Like shown in Apple's Memory Card Replacement Instructions, adding an additional memory module to the PowerBook is neither difficult nor scary. Even the latest incarnation of the now faster PowerBook comes with only 512 MB Ram. However, this is the first time Apple uses the faster and also cheaper DDR-2 Ram, to be precise, 512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (running at 333MHz).
All new PowerBook G4 models come standard with 512MB of memory running at 333MHz. The 12-inch PowerBook G4 uses PC2700 DDR SDRAM, while the 15-inch and 17-inch models use PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM. For a considerable performance improvement when working with large files, the memory in the 12-inch model can be expanded to 1.25GB, and the 15-inch and 17-inch models can accommodate up to 2GB. Both the 15-inch and 17-inch models come with 512MB of memory in a single SO-DIMM, leaving a slot open for future memory upgrades.
Leaving a slot open for future memory upgrades ...
After removing power and the battery, I removed the four screws and opend the memory door in the center of the flipped PowerBook.The opened door revealed the SAMSUNG 512MB @Rx 16 PC2-4200S-444-12-A3 memory module:
Inserting the new 1GB DDR2-533 module I bought at Ramjet for US$99 required some force ...
After re-inserting the metal door, closing the case, and putting the battery back, the PowerBook booted and the "About This Mac" dialog showed 1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM.
Can you explain 533 vs 444 for powerbooks?
I just came across your post about inserting ram - nice photos and descrip.I want to upgrade my powerbook (october 2005 release) with 1 gig DDR2 ram. You bought from ramjet. I was looking at ramject, crucial, and owc, and samsung.
My question here is compatabiity: You inserted a 533mhz ram card into slot but it shows up as 444mhz. can i mix 444 and 533 mhz cards?
What is difference between 533 and 444? Do new powerbook Mac Book Pro come with 666?
I'm not techie so your clarity great appreciated. Thanks. Michael
Let's see if I can explain what's going on with the new DDR2 memory
The 15-inch as well as the 17-inch October 2005 PowerBooks (G4 1.67 GHz DDR2) have two SO-DIMM slots, each slot can be equipped with a PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM module of the following size: 256MB, 512BM or 1GB.The standard configurations ship with a 512MB module in the lower memory slot. In my case, it's a
512MB 2Rx16 PC2 4200S-444-12-A3 - 533MHz module from Samsung.The PowerBook's G4 Processor runs at 1.67 GHz however, the PowerBook's Bus Speed is only 167 MHz. Double that (Dual Channel) and we arrive at 333 MHz, which is the speed memory gets accessed at.
So even if we added much faster speed memory (in this case 512 MHz), the PowerBook will only allow it to run at 333 MHz.
Now, DDR2 memory currently usually features 400MHz or 533MHz and capacities up to 1GB.
- 400 MHz speed modules are classified as PC2-3200
- 533 MHz modules are classified as PC2-4200
- 667 MHz modules are classified as PC2-5300
- 800 MHz modules are classified as PC2-6400