Upgrade Decision

**lamski** · 06-16-2006, 02:54 PM

What do you guys think would be a better upgrade priority - RAM or storage?

I'm currently thinking of upgrading my mac mini (G4 1.42 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, BT, AP, Super Drive). The only thing that I could really upgrade is the RAM to 1 GB. I also have extra external FW drives that are quickly filling up.

Although 512 MB of RAM is enough for my everyday computing, I'm also curious what speed and performance improvements 1 GB of RAM would bring.

With regard to storage, I find that archiving rarely used data to DVD frees up a lot of space eventhough it takes a lot of time to backup to DVDs.

I plan to eventually upgrade both. What should I upgrade first? :slanted:

**Sponsor** · 06-16-2006 02:54 PM

**jepaz** · 06-16-2006, 03:14 PM

I suggest you upgrade the ram first. It will significantly improve performance and speed up your backup of files in DVD.

**Sph1nx** · 06-16-2006, 03:23 PM

Definitely RAM. This will give you the bigger performance boost that upgrading the HD. Experienced this myself -- upgraded the HD first without significant performance increase (from 4200rpm to 5400rpm), but when I upgraded the RAM to 1.25GB (from 512MB), the performance increase was clearly visible, especially when using Photoshop and iPhoto.

**eyedoctor** · 06-16-2006, 03:33 PM

Depends really on what you need now, more space... upgrade your HD first... or more speed.. upgrade your RAM first.

Keep in mind though upgrading your HD may slow down your system depending on how many app or which app you're going to use.

**lamski** · 06-16-2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Your inputs really confirmed what I've been thinking all along.
Now, if only there's a way to upgrade the G4 mac mini's paltry 32 MB video RAM...

**Sph1nx** · 06-16-2006, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by lamski

Thanks for the input guys. Your inputs really confirmed what I've been thinking all along.
Now, if only there's a way to upgrade the G4 mac mini's paltry 32 MB video RAM...

Get an Intel iMac?

**jepaz** · 06-16-2006, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sph1nx

Get an Intel iMac?

Yeah...imagine get the basic specs and do your own upgrade.

Just make it sure when you claim warranty to put back the original configuration.

**ibler** · 06-16-2006, 09:25 PM

do the ram first. and when you have the money already, go for the powermac G5! then you'll go crazy thinking on how to upgrade it (if it ever needs upgrading)

good luck!

**lamski** · 06-17-2006, 10:53 PM

So here's the thing - I went ahead and upgraded the RAM to 1 GB (Kingston). The difference in performance is really noticable. Apple should set 1 GB as the stock memory configuration for future macs.