ECC or Non ECC Ram?

[randomfactor]

Can someone tell me whats the difference between ECC and Non ECC Ram as I'm looking to buy a Powermac Quad for the home. Is there any difference in performance between the two RAMs?

 

[PowerBookG4]

ECC Ram is Error Correcting ram, non-ecc does not error correct, I do not have error correcting ram in my quad but it runs just fine, so if you want to save the money get the non-ecc. I have not noticed a difference.

 

[Kokopelli]

Yes, ECC RAM is Error Correcting and <something> RAM. It is mostly used in servers. ECC RAM will be a little slower than the equivalent Non ECC RAM. More importantly, the two can not be mixed and not all machines can use ECC RAM. If a machine can use ECC RAM it can almost always use NON ECC.

Off the top of my head I do not know what type RAM the new G5s use but it is very likely Non ECC.

EDIT: Too slow.

 

[PowerBookG4]

Yes, ECC RAM is Error Correcting and <something> RAM. It is mostly used in servers. ECC RAM will be a little slower than the equivalent Non ECC RAM. More importantly, the two can not be mixed and not all machines can use ECC RAM. If a machine can use ECC RAM it can almost always use NON ECC.

Off the top of my head I do not know what type RAM the new G5s use but it is very likely Non ECC.

EDIT: Too slow.

Just so you know the new Quads take ECC ram, but there is the option for non-ECC ram.

 

[to_tough_to_die]

What exactly do will you be doing on your Mac? A PowerMac G5 (or at least a G5 Quad) may be overkill.