XLR8YOURMAC.COM's Adding RAM or VRAM to the Apple Beige G3

The Source for Mac Performance News and Reviews
Adding Ram and Vram to the Beige G3
By mike
Published March, 1998

Topics:
Adding SDRAM Modules	Adding Vram (SGRAM)	Max Ram Limits	*Home*

Purpose
The first upgrade you should make to your Beige G3 (or any Mac really) is adding RAM (SDRAM). The supplied 32MB of RAM is not sufficient for best performance. After adding a 128MB SDRAM dimm, I disabled virtual memory and noticed much better performance in all the applications I ran. It should be the first upgrade any Mac owner does, regardless of model. Since the original Beige G3 comes with only 2MB of Video ram (in the form of Syncronous Graphics Ram or SGRAM), the second upgrade I performed was adding a 4MB Video ram upgrade to higher resolutions. Since I normally run 1024x768, thousands colors, the upgrade was required to run Rave (Quickdraw 3D) applications, as well as making more resolutions and color depths available. I considered the benefits well worth the low cost of this upgrade, since the onboard RagePro was as fast as any PCI card available in 1998. (* Update* - For reviews of faster/3D accelerated PCI Graphics cards - see the main www.xlr8yourmac.com video cards page for detailed performance tests and info on PCI graphics cards with much faster 2d/3d and gaming performance). This page details how I added a 128MB SDRAM dimm and 4MB VRAM (SGRAM) sodimm to my Beige G3 Minitower. Before Your Buy: Ensure that the SDRAM and SGRAM (Vram) module(s) you are buying are certified for use in the Apple G3 systems. Site sponsors like OWC (and others) sell guaranteed Apple compatible memory but verify that the RAM you are buying is compatible and has a lifetime warranty. OWC has low-cost 256MB dimms for Beige G3s (Minitower or All-in-One models - desktop models require 1.15" high dimms) at the site specials page (Prices and availability of RAM change over time, so check the specials page for the latest pricing.) [Note: Many readers have reported using 256MB Dimms in Beige G3s (128megabit chip x 16 dimms) since 1998, but an Apple TIL doc on memory has a note on 256MB dimms in PowerMac G3 (beige) models saying it requires a rev 3 motherboard - linking to a page that ID's the Apple system profiler ROM version (the ROM is on a module in the Beige G3s, some readers swapped out rev 1 ROM dimms for Rev 2 or later and added slave IDE drive support). Update: About two dozen readers with Beige G3 rev 1/rev A's noted they were using the OWC 256MB dimms fine.] If you have a Desktop (not MiniTower) Beige G3, ask if the memory module you are buying will fit, as some modules may be too tall for use in the desktop case (dimms that will work are often called 'Low-Profile' - later made dimms usually are low-profile but check before buying if they are more than 1.15" tall.). Note:** Some high-capacity dimms are not compatible with the memory controller on the Beige/B&W G3s, so again verify that the RAM you are buying works with your Mac. My 128MB dimm would have fit fine, as you can see from the photos below it is no taller than the standard 32MB dimm. If you have any questions about this upgrade feel free to contact me.

Adding SDRAM

Step 1:	Open the case and locate the SDRAM sockets. There are three of them, one will be occupied by the stock 32MB dimm. Insert the new dimm in the slot behind the existing dimm, paying attention to orient the notches in the dimm connector edge with the raised tabs in the dimm slot channel:
Step 2:	Seat the module by pressing down gently and then rotate the locking tabs on each side of the dimm to latch the dimm securely in place.
Step 3:	Close up the case, start the Mac and make sure the new memory is recognized by the system. You can do this by choosing the "about this computer" under the Apple Menu item. If the added memory is not shown, verify that the dimm is seated and that it is the proper type of SDRAM for the Apple G3 systems.

Adding Vram (SGRAM)

Note: If you have an internal modem, it covers the VRAM socket and requires removing the AV module card. See my Beige G3 Internal Modem Install Guide for info on how to remove the Personality/AV card. The photos and guide below were done before I added the Beige G3 internal modem.
Step 1:	Open the case and locate the socket for the Vram SODIMM module. (The last source of these 4MB VRAM SODIMMs is at this OWC page but may sell out at any time.) It is located between the personality module and the ROM dimm as shown below. Align the notch in the dimm with the raised tab in the socket:
Step 2:	Seat the module by pressing down gently until the side tabs snap over the edge of the dimm locking it in place.
Step 3:	Close up the case, start the Mac and make sure the new vram is recognized by the system. You can do this by choosing the "Monitors" control panel. You should now see a lot more resolutions. Select 1024x768, millions colors (assuming your monitor supports that resolution) to verify that the vram is working properly. If the added memory is not shown, verify that the dimm is seated and that it is the proper type of SGRAM module for the Apple G3 systems.

About Ram Limits:

Max Compatible Dimm Capacity: 256MB (must be 16 chip dimm/128megabit chips). Due to a 16 chip limit per dimm, there are no 512MB dimms compatible with the Beige G3 (or B&W G3 and G4/PCI Yikes), since they use the MPC/XPC memory controller which cannot fully address ram chips more dense than 128megabit and there's a 16 chip limit. (So therefore 16 times 128Mbit = 256MB dimm total.) If the 256MB dimm has only 8 ram chips on it, it will only be recognized as a 128MB dimm in the Beige G3/B&W G3/G4 PCI Yikes. Safest is to buy from a dealer that knows Macs and guarantees the ram will work in your G3. (See below for one source.)

Using low profile SDRAM Dimms, even desktop owners can have as much as 768MB of RAM in their G3. (See OWC's site specials page for examples.) In 1998 a reader sent screenshots of the About and System Profile as proof that the Beige G3 could use 256MB dimms (again compatible 256MB dimms must be made up of 16 chips x 128megabit chips. If a 256MB dimm has only 8 chips on it, it's not compatible and will be seen as 128MB only).
Desktop owners should verify any dimms bought are 1.15" high max. (Minitowers have more clearance.)

The Beige G3, Blue &W G3, and G4/PCI (yikes) cannot use the latest high-density RAM modules (as of year 2000) which are compatible only with the later Mac models (G4/AGP systems and 1999 and later iMacs). These dimms use chips that are are 256megabit, exceeding the 128megabit chip limit of the Beige/B&W G3 memory controller. (This is why there are no 512MB Dimms for the Beige G3 or B&W G3.) Always verify with the seller that the ram you are buying will work in your Mac. If the 256MB dimm has only 8 RAM chips on it, it will only be recognized as a 128MB dimm in the Beige G3/B&W G3/G4 PCI Yikes due to the controller limitations. Safest is to buy from a dealer that knows Macs and guarantees the ram will work in your G3. (Remember PC66 is no longer made - so most any RAM you buy now will be PC100 or PC133 - other than the dimm size/ram chip limitations noted above, it should work fine.).

Remember the maximum height of the dimm module must not exceed 1.15 inches for Desktop Models. If in doubt, verify from the dealer that the RAM you are purchasing will work in a Beige G3. (See OWC's site specials page for ram pricing and notes on compatibility with specific models. OWC has 256MB dimms for Beige G3s (Minitower or All-in-One models - desktop models require 1.15" high dimms). (Prices and availability of RAM change over time, so check the specials page for the latest pricing.)

[Note: Many readers have reported using 256MB Dimms in Beige G3s (128megabit chip x 16 dimms) since 1998, but an Apple TIL doc on memory has a **** note on 256MB dimms in PowerMac G3 (beige) models saying it requires a rev 3 motherboard (rev 3 ROM dimm) - linking to a page that ID's the Apple system profiler ROM version (the ROM is on a module in the Beige G3s, some readers swapped out rev 1 ROM dimms for Rev 2 or later and added slave IDE drive support). Update: About a three dozen readers with Beige G3 rev 1/rev A's noted they were using the OWC 256MB dimms fine.]

The FAQ Memory section also has info and resources to help.)

= Top of Page =

Users of this web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.