68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.

Beige G3 VRAM Upgrade

Posted by: macdude22 on 2017-05-04 05:59:36 Long time lurker  ;D I have a Biege G3 desktop I want to finish decking out. It currently has the standard 2MB VRAM, but I believe it would accept a 4MB SGRAM upgrade for a maximum of 6MB VRAM. I am struggling to find a good source for this memory, or at least to confirm exactly what I need. Would something like this be compatible with a Beige G3? http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-4MB-SGRAM-Video-Opt-Memory-New-Retail-314025-001-/331649983144?hash=item4d37e122a8:g:I5cAAOSwHjNV76~p

Posted by: omidimo on 2017-05-04 06:38:46 It should work as Compaq used similar ATI Rage products. I once got a full PCI card just for the SGRAM to fill up my MT.

Posted by: Unknown_K on 2017-05-04 15:31:58 ATI 3D Rage Pro cards would have he 4MB SGRAM modules. I think the Matrox G200's also used the same RAM modules. Quite a few PCI CAD cards used SGRAM modules (8MB I think), no idea if they work or not.

Posted by: macdude22 on 2017-05-05 05:55:20 Rolled the dice and pulled the trigger.

Posted by: Brett B. on 2017-05-06 08:12:39 I probably have a spare module if that one on eBay doesn't work out.  I used to pull them off ATI video cards from junker PCs.

Posted by: bunnspecial on 2017-05-09 11:47:31 I have some also. I too have a big collection of the old ATI cards that used them. With that said, the best way to get more VRAM in a minitower is a Radeon 9200 🙂

Posted by: just.in.time on 2017-05-13 20:32:29 macdude22, did that memory work out for your Beige G3?

Posted by: macdude22 on 2017-05-23 05:47:04 Oh, you know, life. i.e. I haven't had any time to get down to the basement to work on this.  :lol:

Posted by: just.in.time on 2017-05-24 20:54:02 Well the good news is I ended up ordering one as well, and will be able to install it tomorrow and let you know 🙂

Posted by: just.in.time on 2017-05-25 12:06:31 Can confirm, is showing as 6mb of vram now. Seems to work okay. i.e. Gets to the desktop and the display isn't showing any artifacts.

Posted by: macdude22 on 2017-05-26 12:43:24 Got around to installing mine. Seems to be working fine. Reports 6MB, played some unreal and oregon trail no issues.

Posted by: just.in.time on 2017-06-01 13:03:32 The only thing I noticed is that in OS X (10.4.11), it reports it as 8mb... very strange but not an issue since it seems to work okay regardless.

1