Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors): Results of Mixing PC2100 and PC2700 RAM

This document describes what happens if you install both PC2100 and PC2700 memory in either a 167 MHz or a 133 MHz system bus Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) computer.

Note: "PC2100" is the industry standard name for DDR-266 SDRAM used on a 133 MHz system bus.

"PC2700" is the industry standard name for DDR-333 SDRAM used on a 167 MHz system bus.

The Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) computer comes in two different models. One has a 133 MHz system bus, which uses PC2100 RAM (memory). The other has a 167 MHz system bus, which uses PC2700 RAM. If you install the wrong RAM in the computer, it may not start up, or recognize the memory.

133 MHz System Bus Model


167 MHz System Bus Model
Important: DDR-SDRAM is closely correlated with your computer's system bus speed. Use PC2100 DDR-SDRAM for 133 MHz system bus Power Mac computers and PC2700 DDR-SDRAM for 167 MHz system bus Power Mac computers. Do not try to install non-DDR memory into the Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) computer as it will not physically fit in the DIMM slots. If you do so, you could damage the logic board.
Published Date: Oct 10, 2016