Soon the be new Mac user question

Hey guys,

I would like to try my first Mac so I can run Logic 8 and Digital Performer 5. I friend will sell me an 17" iMac core duo for real cheap. I know the website says max 2 gigs but can I install PC2-5300 DDR2 2X2 for a total of 4? I know the iMac might not be able to use all 4 gigs but maybe 3 which is still better than 2.

Any help would be awesome.

If the model has a max of 2GB of ram, you can put in 4, but the computer will only use 2.

My MacBook supports 2GB. When I put in 4 it wouldn't boot. I wouldn't expect an iMac to be any different.

thanks guys I'll just buy 2 gigs than. Does anyone know if I can install leopard 10.5 on an old core duo iMac?

I would think that you can, although I'm not too sure. I've heard of people that have done it before, but it doesn't always work on a consistent basis.

Thanks guys. It's to bad I can't install 4 gigs on the 17" iMac core duo. It's only 20 dollars more than 2 gigs.

dexterflex said:

thanks guys I'll just buy 2 gigs than. Does anyone know if I can install leopard 10.5 on an old core duo iMac?

Click to expand...

I have a late 2006 iMac core duo. I upgraded to Leopard and it worked fine. Although, if you have a max of 2 gig of ram and its optimum configuration is 3 gig then I'd go up the last gig. When I did that I noticed a difference of the good kind.

Although if it is the early 2006 one then it's maximum is only 2 gig.

So your saying if all I can have is a max of 2 gigs than leopard wont run well. I would turn of any fancy options leopard has. I need this PC to use for audio recording.

Oh no. On the contrary. I only have 2GB or ram for my imac. With Leopard. And it flies. Even with audio/video editing. Getting that 3rd gig if your machine can use it might not produce the results you want. It'll provide more ram for your machine to use. But I rarely use up all of my 2GB with photoshop, itunes, garageband, msn, and firefox open all at the same time with work going on in each.

So I think the 2GB should be fine.

thanks guys I have one more question.

The iMac core duo only has a 17" screen. So I thought I would buy a mini-DVI connector and connect that to a Matrox DualHead2Go. This should allow me to add 2 external monitors plus the 17" screen on the Mac.

Will this work. And from what I've researched it shouldn't slow down my Mac with 2 gigs of ram?. Or will it?