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Would this RAM work in a IIsi?

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 12:11:30

Just realized the IIsi I bought has no RAM SIMMS installed so it’s got the base 1MB. Would these modules from eBay work in it?

16MB 4x 4MB 30pin SIMM RAM MEMORY without parity 4x8 30-pin Apple Mac PC | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 16MB 4x 4MB 30pin SIMM RAM MEMORY without parity 4x8 30-pin Apple Mac PC at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 12:31:40

Thats not easy to answer. Infact, with manufacturers changing what chips they use, Its basically impossible to answer.

The best answer I can do is perhaps, but the probability is better if you get 8 chip simms.

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 12:38:43

These look better although confirm they are sets of 4 4MB simms :

16MB NONPARITY 30pin Apple Mac Quadra 700, Performa 600, Mac IIsi Mac SE/30 SIMM 609713994998 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 16MB NONPARITY 30pin Apple Mac Quadra 700, Performa 600, Mac IIsi Mac SE/30 SIMM at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 12:40:17

Thanks for the help! I’ll get those, they’re cheaper too!
Just curious though:
What would the difference be? Not an expert in RAM by any means. Is the IIsi picky about RAM like the SE/30 is?

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 12:41:30

Thanks for the help! I’ll get those, they’re cheaper too!
Just curious though:
What would the difference be? Not an expert in RAM by any means. Is the IIsi picky about RAM like the SE/30 is?

I take it back - they're 16mb simms, so you'd need 4 sets

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 12:51:51

Ooh. So what would one stick do? Do you need 4 matched ones for any to work? Haven’t ordered anything yet don’t worry.

Posted by: volvo242gt on 2023-06-13 12:59:20

IIsi, like all '030 Macs with 30-pin SIMMs, requires a set of four in each bank (in the IIsi's case, there's only one bank). I ran one of my original IIsi machines with 16MB in bank "B" for a couple years. Made it more useable than it was with the original 5MB. My third IIsi, I put a set of four 16MB SIMMs into it. So, had a total of 65MB. Except for the long wait for the RAM check, it was entirely useable, if a bit pokey, since I was running Mac OS 8.1 on it. Yes, with the Born Again patch used at time of installation.

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 13:01:07

Ooh. So what would one stick do? Do you need 4 matched ones for any to work? Haven’t ordered anything yet don’t worry.

You need 4 matched sticks. Its a bit of a mess in that era of RAM over what does and doesn't work, but I think macs didn't get more forgiving until the Quadras, and even they didn't like some SIMMs possibly.

4 of these would work :

16MB OWC Memory Upgrade Module

Upgrade your Mac memory and save money by trading in the original factory memory chips. Includes a lifetime OWC warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

And that would give you onboard RAM plus 64MB for 65MB.

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 13:16:29

$40+ isn’t in the budget right now but those seem to be the ones to get. Remaining tech budget has to go towards a big cap order for now though, IIsi will have to wait. Thanks for the help folks!

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 13:20:10

$40+ isn’t in the budget right now but those seem to be the ones to get. Remaining tech budget has to go towards a big cap order for now though, IIsi will have to wait. Thanks for the help folks!

What do you have fitted at the moment?

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 13:33:44

Nothing… just the base 1MB! That should be enough to boot system 6, right? 😅

Posted by: Phipli on 2023-06-13 13:44:15

Nothing… just the base 1MB! That should be enough to boot system 6, right? 😅

Urgh. 1MB isn't enough for getting the most out if a IIsi. 17MB is a loads. I usually aim for 16 to 20MB in an 030. 32MB is decadent... 128MB is a RAM disk and a pain to wait for the RAM test.

At least stick some 1s in it. Sure someone local will loan you some 🤣

Posted by: 3lectr1cPPC on 2023-06-13 13:46:06

Don't know anyone else local to [undisclosed location] unfortunately that could. It's fine, it can certainly wait. It's all been recapped and chimes loud and clear. It won't be too too long before I can get some proper SIMMs for it.

Posted by: robin-fo on 2023-06-13 14:16:27

I use these in my IIsi and SE/30

PurpleRAM 16MB (4MB x 4) 30-pin DRAM SIMM kit by Jurassic Computing on Tindie

PurpleRAM 16MB (4MB x 4) 30-pin non-parity DRAM SIMM kit