Upgrade RAM or HDD?

wicker_man · Jan 23, 2007

I currently have a 15" G4 1.33GHz Powerbook with 768MB RAM (512mb + 256mb) and the stock 4200rpm 60GB hard drive.

Anyway I'm thinking about upgrading either the RAM or Hard drive. I can get a 1GB stick of ram (to make 1.5GB) or a 120GB 5400rpm hard drive, each costs about £65.

Which one of these would offer the most performance increase?

Thanks.

(I'm fairly confident in opening up computers and swapping components and have read the ifixit guides to opening up a PowerBook).

yogi · Jan 23, 2007

The RAM. unless you actually know you will need more than 60GB very soon, I would max out on RAM, because this immenselsy pushes the amount of stuff you can do simultaneously on your Mac, and the whole system just get's smoother.

Reel1 · Jan 23, 2007

Ram would be a much better buy..:bushman:

wicker_man · Jan 23, 2007

OK thanks.

I've currently got about 6GB free at the moment, but I have an external 200GB firewire drive and space on my Cube for most media.

??? · Jan 23, 2007

go with the RAM, if you want a better drive get a 7,200rpm.

KoDorSean · Jan 23, 2007

wicker_man said:
I currently have a 15" G4 1.33GHz Powerbook with 768MB RAM (512mb + 256mb) and the stock 4200rpm 60GB hard drive.

Anyway I'm thinking about upgrading either the RAM or Hard drive. I can get a 1GB stick of ram (to make 1.5GB) or a 120GB 5400rpm hard drive, each costs about £65.

Which one of these would offer the most performance increase?

Thanks.

(I'm fairly confident in opening up computers and swapping components and have read the ifixit guides to opening up a PowerBook).

You will get more of a performance increase with the RAM in my opinion..

iRye · Jan 23, 2007

RAM. I even noticed the difference when going from 1 gb to 1.25 gb