RAM for Power Mac 5400

[nightingale]

So I'm trying to clear up some confusion.

According to Low End Mac, EveryMac, and just about every other site I can find, this machine needs 70ns 168-pin DIMMs.

However, every website that sells RAM, like crucial for example, tells me I need 60ns 168-pin EDO DIMMs.

Will either of these speeds of RAM work in this machine?  Can I mix and match?

 

[tanuki65]

I think that with RAM speeds, unless you go too fast, you can go faster (but not slower) than the recommended. In fact, it'll make your system faster. Go ahead with 60ns 168-pin DIMMs. I think you can mix and match, but I don't know.

 

[nightingale]

I would assume that if you put faster RAM in, it will just run at the slower speed if that is all the machine can handle.  But when I used to service PCs, there were always some machines that were very particular about what would work.

 

[sstaylor]

According to Mactracker, the 5400 needs 70ns dimms, and the 5500 needs EDO.  That may be the source of the confusion. Or maybe the overlap in speeds: Mactracker says the 5400 goes up to 200Mhz, and the 5400 starts at 225; but one of the ram places I'm looking at lists 225 as the top end for the 5400, and lists both EDO and non-EDO dimms.  According to their website: "Although FPM is standard, EDO may be used. If you have no preference, choose the least expensive."

Here's their website: http://www.memoryx.com/powermac5400.html

As others have said, 60ns will usually do fine in place of 70 ns.

 

[tanuki65]

I love the 5400s.

 

[uniserver]

^----  i agree the 5400 is a good machine, its like they finally did it right.

 

[Schmoburger]

I'm very much a fan of the 5400 and even moreso the 5500... There was a lot of machine in them for the money, with a decent video controller as well, and they were actually decently expandable for an AIO unit. Only real drawback was the small capacity for RAM, which stands now at 256Mb capped out.

But yes, you shouldnt have an issue with 60ns modules and generally you can mix and match a little. I have 60ns modules in my 9600 with a G3/400 upgrade in it and it runs perfectly well. The important thing is that the voltage is correct or things blow up.