Upgrading Your Macintosh's RAM

Following is a listing of possible memory configurations for various Macintosh computers. These are the options available for standard Macintoshes without special accelerator or third party upgrade boards installed.

If you have any questions about Macintosh memory upgrades, please consult George Lee (glee@sfu.ca), Mike Stanger (mstanger@sfu.ca) or the Microcomputer Store staff.

Installing Memory Yourself

If you want to install memory into your Macintosh yourself, please be aware of the following items:
  1. SIMMs ARE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO STATIC ELECTRICITY. Please make sure that you keep the SIMMs in their special static-shielding bag until you are ready to install them. Do not touch the metal contacts of the SIMMs. Hold the SIMMS by their outside edges only. SIMMs are not returnable if they are not installed by a qualified technician. If you are at all unsure of your ability to install memory, please call David Fee in the service shop. David's telephone local is 4799.
  2. IF MEMORY IS NOT INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED APPLE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, APPLE MAY CONSIDER YOUR WARRANTY VOID. Most Apple Macintosh computers and peripherals are covered by a one year warranty. This may not be honoured if it is found that improper memory installation caused damage to your computer.
RAM upgrade information is available for the following computers:
  • Centris 610
  • Classic
  • Classic II
  • Colour Classic
  • II
  • IIci
  • IIcx
  • IIfx
  • IIx
  • LC
  • LC II
  • LC III
  • LC 475
  • SE
  • SE/30
  • Plus
  • Quadra 610
  • Quadra 700
  • Quadra 900
  • Macintosh Plus/SE!

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            2x 1MB
      2.5 MB            2x 256KB, 2x 1MB
        4 MB            4x 1MB

    Macintosh Classic!

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            *Requires expansion Board
      2.5 MB            2x 256KB and expansion Board
        4 MB            2x 1MB and expansion Board

    Macintosh Classic II!

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            (Standard, built in)
        4 MB            2x 1MB
       10 MB            2x 4MB

    Macintosh LC/LC II, Colour Classic

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        4 MB            2x 1MB
       10 MB            2x 4MB

    Macintosh II/IIx

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            8x 256KB
        4 MB            4x 1MB
        5 MB            4x 256KB, 4x 1MB
        8 MB            8x 1MB

    Macintosh IIcx, IIci, SE/30!

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            8x 256KB
        4 MB            4x 1MB
        5 MB            4x 256KB, 4x 1MB
        8 MB            8x 1MB
       16 MB            4x 4MB
       17 MB            4x 256KB, 4x 4MB
       20 MB            4x 1MB, 4x 4MB
       32 MB            8x 4MB

    Macintosh IIsi

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        2 MB            4x 256KB
        5 MB            4x 1MB
       17 MB            4x 4MB

    Macintosh IIfx

    Note: Be sure to specify Macintosh IIfx type SIMMs when ordering memory for these machines. Standard SIMMs for other models will not fit in the IIfx.
    Total Memory        SIMMs
        4 MB            4x 1MB
        5 MB            4x 1MB, 4x 256KB
        8 MB            8x 1MB
       16 MB            4x 4MB
       17 MB            4x 4MB, 4x 256KB
       20 MB            4x 4MB, 4x 1MB
       32 MB            8x 4MB

    Quadra 700

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        8 MB            4x 256KB
       20 MB            4x 4MB
       68 MB            4x 16MB

    Quadra 900

    Total Memory        SIMMs
        8 MB            4x 1MB
       12 MB            8x 1MB
       16 MB            12x 1MB
       20 MB            16x 1MB *or* 4x 4MB
       36 MB            8x 4MB
       52 MB            12x 4MB
       66 MB            16x 4MB

    LC III/475

    Total Memory        SIMMs*
        4 MB            Standard
        8 MB            1x 4MB
       12 MB            2x 4MB *or* 1x 8MB
       16 MB            1x 4MB, 1x 8MB
       20 MB            2x 8MB *or* 1x 16MB
       36 MB            2x 16MB

    Centris/Quadra 610

    Total Memory        SIMMs*
        4 MB            Standard
        8 MB            1x 4MB
       12 MB            2x 4MB *or* 1x 8MB
       16 MB            1x 4MB, 1x 8MB
       20 MB            2x 8MB *or* 1x 16MB
       36 MB            2x 16MB
    ! Compact Macintoshes (Plus, SE, SE/30, Classic, and Classic II) require two special tools, the case "cracker"and a long torx screwdriver, to open the case. If you don't have these tools, you are likely to damage the case of a compact Macintosh. Also be aware that inside the cabinet there are high voltages present that can be dangerous even after the computer has been off for an hour or more. Again, if you are at all unsure, please call David Fee at 4799 to arrange for installation.

    *Note: Macintoshes from the LC III onward use 72-pin SIMMs. These are often called "PS/2" SIMMs. Macintoshes with 33 MHz or faster 68040 processors (for example the Quadra 650 and Quadra 840AV) should purchase the faster, 60ns SIMMs instead of the 70ns SIMMs used in other machines.

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