Using any kind of RAM in a 2011 iMac?

Funny the reviews from Amazon.com say that memory works fine in a 2011 iMac.

I ordered and installed this today on mine, and it works great. I am up to 24Gb now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTBJK2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01

The difference between "mac" ram and other ram is the sticker on it.

It is sold as certified for mac by vendors who are milking the fear/reputation that PPC macs had for needing different RAM to PCs.

Nowadays, Macs ARE PCs as far as architecture goes.

I just installed 16GB of non-Mac strontium/hynix DDR3 1600 in my Macbook Pro and it is FINE.

Just make sure you buy the appropriate spec (DDRx, proper speed, etc) and you'll be fine.

204 Pin vs 240 Pin

TheGreenBastard said:

I want to upgrade the RAM in this pig to at least somewhat future proof it. I'd like to get it up to 8GB but I was looking into buying THIS. But as it turns out it won't work with a Mac for some reason? Because it doesn't say "Apple" or "Mac"? What's the difference between the Mac RAM and laptop RAM that makes it incompatible?

Just curious because that 8GB on Amazon is a great deal...

Click to expand...

** I clicked on your LINK.. I am pretty sure you DO need 204 Pin and THAT one is 240 Pin, so YES, it Will Not Work!!

Since I see you are in Canada, I have used NewEgg.ca and Mushkin RAM (USA made and great support and reviews) in my last 2x MBPs as well as just 2 days ago I put 4x 8GB into my friend's 2011 iMac.. Very Snappy Now!!

Pretty sure ALL of these will fit, and you can 'filter results' at the LH Column by GB-MFG etc.. Pretty sure they are very competitive and have been great to me over the years.. Lots of Options, Name Brands likely better support and not much more $$ for sure!!

Good Site to Reference MAC Hardware Options

Here is a good site to go to Look Up your iMac (or other) and see what Speeds and Designations are proper for your MAC.. Hope it helps!!

http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_year/macs-released-in-2011.html

throAU said:

It is sold as certified for mac by vendors who are milking the fear/reputation that PPC macs had for needing different RAM to PCs.
Just make sure you buy the appropriate spec (DDRx, proper speed, etc) and you'll be fine.

Click to expand...

Maybe try a simple Google search before running your mouth.

There are plenty of examples of people matching RAM specs exactly and still running into problems. I've encountered this myself on a couple of Macs - they can be fussy about RAM.

This isn't limited to Macs either, other brand name laptops can also have this issue...

If the manufacturer certifies the RAM to work with a given system it usually means they have actually tested it in that system.

Given that the "certified" I got was within a dollar or two of the price of the standard RAM by the same manufacturer, exactly what were they "milking"?

SlCKB0Y said:

Maybe try a simple Google search before running your mouth.

There are plenty of examples of people matching RAM specs exactly and still running into problems. I've encountered this myself on a couple of Macs - they can be fussy about RAM.

Click to expand...

If the RAM spec "matches exactly" and doesn't work - you have faulty ram or faulty installation.


I've been doing this PC industry stuff for 18 years now - long enough to know that the majority of people posting on google are muppets

throAU said:

If the RAM spec "matches exactly" and doesn't work - you have faulty ram or faulty installation.

Click to expand...

All I'm saying is this:

1. I too thought it was rubbish, until I encountered the problem first hand.
2. Regardless of being reseated, the RAM caused unpredictable behaviour when running in the Mac (random beach balling etc).
3. The same RAM installed into a Windows laptop worked perfectly and did not cause any problems.
4. There are many examples of this online.

When building things to a specification, there will be variation when coming off a production line and different computers have different levels of tolerance for these variations. I tend to think it's got to do with the required voltage for the RAM.

Also, you'll just have to believe me when I tell you i'm far from a novice user.

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TheGreenBastard said:

bump 2

Click to expand...

You've bumped your thread twice within 4 hours even though it's getting replies. This is inappropriate and if you continue with this you might find that a mod takes action.