Upgrade RAM - iMac 21.5 [Archive]

guklein

Jun 28, 2010, 07:52 PM

Hello,

My iMac 21.5 has 4GB RAM. I want to upgrade it to 8GB RAM. Could I put any brand of RAM?

If I buy 2x2GB Crucial, is there any problem if the others 4GB installed in my iMac are from another brand?

Thanks!

flopticalcube

Jun 28, 2010, 07:55 PM

Any brand will do as long as its the right type. You can mix brands (and sizes!).

guklein

Jun 28, 2010, 07:58 PM

Any brand will do as long as its the right type. You can mix brands (and sizes!).

You say I can mix sizes. It means I can put 1x4GB instead 2x2GB? Even iMac is 2x2GB default...thats it?

Thanks!

flopticalcube

Jun 28, 2010, 08:02 PM

You say I can mix sizes. It means I can put 1x4GB instead 2x2GB? Even iMac is 2x2GB default...thats it?

Thanks!
Yes. 1X4GB or 2X2GB or 1X4GB and 1X1GB or any combination.

DoFoT9

Jun 28, 2010, 08:12 PM

provided they are all 1066MHz 204-pin SO-DIMM DDR3 you will be fine :)

you probably should look at macsales.com - they have the best prices going around lately and offer great warranties.

guklein

Jun 28, 2010, 08:20 PM

And is it a good idea to upgrade to 8GB? Any idea what is the default RAM brand?

Thanks!

TMRaven

Jun 28, 2010, 08:21 PM

pretty sure it's nuram.

8gb is a nice upgrade if you're big into multitasking. Ever since I've had 8gigs of ram I've never gotten a page out. However the biggest upgrade for the iMacs would be getting an SSD.

DoFoT9

Jun 28, 2010, 08:30 PM

pretty sure it's nuram.
yuupers you are correcteo :D

8gb is a nice upgrade if you're big into multitasking. Ever since I've had 8gigs of ram I've never gotten a page out.
nice nice. i will eventually upgrade to 12GB i think - hopefully soon. page outs are bloody annoying
However the biggest upgrade for the iMacs would be getting an SSD.
some wouldnt consider that an upgrade ;) :cool:

TMRaven

Jun 28, 2010, 08:37 PM

Said people need to use external storage :D

DoFoT9

Jun 28, 2010, 08:42 PM

Said people need to use external storage :D

yea maybe. i think my 6TB would cover it :rolleyes:

theres just something about having everything locally stored, externals annoy me lol.

Gregintosh

Jun 28, 2010, 09:23 PM

yea maybe. i think my 6TB would cover it :rolleyes:

theres just something about having everything locally stored, externals annoy me lol.

Having everything [at least critical things] stored externally AND backed up makes me sleep easier. Not to mention it makes it much easier to switch computers, format, or do any crazy ol' thing. Its just liberating.

Having it local is convenient but its risky! Of course that only applies if you have no backup or option to backup.

DoFoT9

Jun 28, 2010, 10:00 PM

Having everything [at least critical things] stored externally AND backed up makes me sleep easier. Not to mention it makes it much easier to switch computers, format, or do any crazy ol' thing. Its just liberating.

Having it local is convenient but its risky! Of course that only applies if you have no backup or option to backup.

lol, of course. i feel safe - as my main systems are backed up (uni work, etc) onto my TC. my movies reside on a 2TB RAID1 (2x2TB) external enclosure and i have another ~3TB for random crap, DVD rips waiting to be converted into .m4v, downloads, yada yada. :) satisfied lol? :cool: :D

guklein

Jun 29, 2010, 10:56 AM

OK, I am going to buy more 2x2GB RAM to upgrade my iMac 21.5 to 8GB.

What is the best option? Crucial, Nuram ou other?

Thanks!

TMRaven

Jun 29, 2010, 10:57 AM

They're all pretty much the same thing. Get the best deal-- which is usually nuram.

DoFoT9

Jun 29, 2010, 03:48 PM

They're all pretty much the same thing. Get the best deal-- which is usually nuram.
yea they seem ok. owc offers a life time warranty for them i think - so you are getting a great deal.

luckily i found something cheaper over here in australia :)

JPG54

Jun 30, 2010, 05:27 AM

yea they seem ok. owc offers a life time warranty for them i think - so you are getting a great deal.

luckily i found something cheaper over here in australia :)

I second this. I just added a Nu Ram 4GB stick from OWC for $125.99. Not bad if I say so myself, especially compared to all the other offerings.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/8566DDR3S4GB/

DoFoT9

Jun 30, 2010, 07:09 PM

I second this. I just added a Nu Ram 4GB stick from OWC for $125.99. Not bad if I say so myself, especially compared to all the other offerings.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/8566DDR3S4GB/

Ahhh good to know man. How has performance/stability been for you?

JPG54

Jun 30, 2010, 10:29 PM

Ahhh good to know man. How has performance/stability been for you?

So far, I could not be happier. Performance has been great! I can really tell a difference going form 4GB to 8GB. And, I have had ZERO stability issues.

I am very pleased! :D

DoFoT9

Jul 1, 2010, 12:55 AM

So far, I could not be happier. Performance has been great! I can really tell a difference going form 4GB to 8GB. And, I have had ZERO stability issues.

I am very pleased! :D

Hehe awsome man. I too shall be moving to 8gb, and hopefully 12gb in the not to distant future!!

Do you know if the ram needs to be CL7 or CL9?

JPG54

Jul 1, 2010, 01:28 PM

Hehe awsome man. I too shall be moving to 8gb, and hopefully 12gb in the not to distant future!!

Do you know if the ram needs to be CL7 or CL9?

Cool beans dude! I think you will definitely like the performance boost.

Everything I have seen lists CL-7...

dexthageek

Jul 1, 2010, 02:03 PM

Cool beans dude! I think you will definitely like the performance boost.

Everything I have seen lists CL-7...

Yup! Cas Latency 7

guklein

Jul 1, 2010, 07:40 PM

I get a good deal with Crucial. I'm going to buy them.

Is there any difference upgrading to 8GB with 1x4GB instead 2x2GB?

guklein

Jul 1, 2010, 07:42 PM

Another doubt...iMac 21.5 (low end model) has a shared video memory, right?

Is there a way to setup how many of memory I dedicate to video? I guess in windows it is possible.

Thanks!

DoFoT9

Jul 1, 2010, 08:22 PM

Cool beans dude! I think you will definitely like the performance boost.

Everything I have seen lists CL-7...

Yup! Cas Latency 7
cool thanks guys. shall be ordering this (http://umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=113&bid=4&sid=59794) in a matter of minutes ;) should be a nice boost i hope. sometimes i have >8GB total swap memory - and >30GB page outs hahaha. so its long overdue!

Another doubt...iMac 21.5 (low end model) has a shared video memory, right?

Is there a way to setup how many of memory I dedicate to video? I guess in windows it is possible.

Thanks!

yea 256MB max for the 4670 - i daresay you could change it in windows, no known way of doing it on OSX side of things.

guklein

Jul 2, 2010, 05:09 PM

If you (guys) had to choose to upgrade to 8GB, would put 2x2GB or 1x4GB?
:confused:

DoFoT9

Jul 2, 2010, 09:41 PM

If you (guys) had to choose to upgrade to 8GB, would put 2x2GB or 1x4GB?
:confused:

1x4gb without doubt!!

guklein

Jul 3, 2010, 05:50 AM

1x4gb without doubt!!

WHY? Performance?

TMRaven

Jul 3, 2010, 09:55 AM

Just so you could upgrade to 12 gigs of ram later down the line. Personally I'd go with 2x2 upgrade. You save 100 bucks, and later down the line if you need to upgrade to more ram, ddr3 1066 mhz 4 gig so-dimms would probably be cheap anyways.

guklein

Jul 3, 2010, 11:52 AM

JPG54

Jul 3, 2010, 01:42 PM

AGAIN.....

Guys, you can order a 4GB stick for $125 bucks from OWC...How is that $100 bucks cheaper than 2, 2GB sticks?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/8566DDR3S4GB/

TMRaven

Jul 3, 2010, 02:22 PM

Oh! By all means get the 4gb stick then.

DoFoT9

Jul 3, 2010, 08:11 PM

WHY? Performance?

like TM said - for future expansion. it will most certainly save you in the long run :)

my 1x4GB stick is on order, i just dont have the money for 2x4GB ATM. but i will eventually yey.