Clueless RAM Upgrade Question, is there a cheaper way to upgrade RAM? Options

[glinka]

I've recently bought Logic Pro 7 (woo hoo!) and I now need to upgrade my imac, which is currently running OS 10.2.8, to Panther or Tiger, and I also need to upgrade my RAM from 256 to 512. But it looks like this gonna cost about £200 from the Apple shop. So my question is: is there a cheaper way? Can I get these things second-hand? Are ther disadvantages?

Thanks a lot.

Chris

[lepetitmartien]

Changing memory just to use fastest one won't help you save pay more at best. At worst (like using DDR3 in DDR2 slots), it won't work or badly (I have not tried and won't even try to).

Macbooks GET hot, got one (core2duo 2 GHz). More memory will help a little (less swapping on the hard drive) but it'll run hot anyway.

Yours needs PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz SODIMM memories.

Now the best part (insert trumpets here) :

Even if Apple tells you can have up to 2 GB of memory (2x1GB), in fact you should be able to use 1x1GB and 1x2GB or 2xGB, and have 3 GB to use. The macbook won't recognize more than 3 GB unfortunately. The interest of using 2x2GB is that the memory will be interleaved and more efficient. I have done it a long time ago in mine, and it just work.

Now, one trick to do when you will upgrade is to make a general reset of the macbook with some tricks along the way, as you will disturb his habits :
- with OnyX (download the right one for you OS version, it's important), clear all caches (in preferences, set for the mac to shut down and not restart, we need it this way this time. Then go to "automation" have everything checked save what's about spotlight, mail and the web in the libel. Run the scripts. Once the mac is done, it'll shut down.)
- unplug the macbook, unplug the battery from the mac, press a few seconds the start button to reset the mac itself.
- now change the memory (if you have never done it before, the procedure is in Apple's leaflet and on Apple support site. I won't detail everything as it's well explained at Apple.) Touch metal in the macbook first then proceed. Be careful with the metal strap you have to unscrew, it's easily bendable. To put it back in place once done, use something to push the "moss" in place and screw on. If it's not placed the right way, it'll bend, so be careful and never force, it'll work the job nicely.
- replace the battery, replug the adaptor, start up.
- check you have the expected amount of memory. You should test it (use the Apple Hardware test on the original install DVD)
- and you're a happy camper !

On the heat issue, can you tell me how high does the CPU go when running at full power? (run for example anything using flash… use Istat pro, and give the CPU and heatsink values). If it's higher than 90°C (or way higher than), your fan may be dirty or dying or dead and you should care about it.