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ram upgrade on 5k imac
- Thread starter foster26
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Best vendor(s) are either Crucial or OWC (http://www.macsales.com), it can be expanded up-to 32GB of RAM.
24GB when adding to the 2 x 4GB Apple DIMMs that shipped with your Mac.
Crucial CT2C8G3S160BM from Amazon.
I have had great luck with Data Memory Systems. I recommend 4 of these to give you 32GB of RAM
http://www.datamemorysystems.com/dm50-234-1/
I would highly recommend using 1.35V DDR3L low voltage RAM, and not 1.5V DDR3, in the Haswell-based Late 2013 and riMacs, regardless of what Apple's own memory specs page states. Apple's own RAM that ships with all iMacs now is 1.35V.
I'd also recommend sticking with name brands known to work, like the aforementioned Crucial, Corsair, OWC, etc.
Refer to this thread for more information.
Last Friday I installed 2 sticks 8GB Kingston DDR3L 1600. Everything's been fine so far. I was very worried before as Crucial rams are rare over here. Looks like the iMac aren't too picky as long as the voltage is correct. 
Last Friday I installed 2 sticks 8GB Kingston DDR3L 1600. Everything's been fine so far. I was very worried before as Crucial rams are rare over here. Looks like the iMac aren't too picky as long as the voltage is correct.
For some reason, most stability issues with 1.5V RAM on the Haswell Macs seem to happen with 32GB installed. I had a hell of a time getting 32GB to work stably on this machine and had no success with a no name brand of Taiwanese 1.35V DIMMs. When I finally installed 16GB of the abovementioned Crucial alongside the 16GB of Apple Elpida was when the kernel panics, freezing and overall instability finally ceased. I haven't had a single issue since over the past 9 months.
I'll 2nd this post, you'll want 1.35v DDR3L for consistency.
Your iMac may work with 1.5v but at the cost of increased chance of RAM overheating and kernel panics.
I'll be ordering a 5k probably just after the new year and I'll be putting the exact same 32GB of 1.35v DDR3L 1866MHz RAM I installed and still have running in my 2013 i7. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DSGLMSM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just keep in mind that you HAVE GOT to match CAS latency to retain 1600Mhz.
The CAS latency on the hynix ram in my RiMac as 11, and I pulled out my 2 x 8GB Gskill ram from my mac mini to upgrade. the Gskill has CAS10, and it caused ALL my ram to run @1333.
A little google-fu found the cause, thought I'd save you a little time ^^
The CAS latency on the hynix ram in my RiMac as 11, and I pulled out my 2 x 8GB Gskill ram from my mac mini to upgrade. the Gskill has CAS10, and it caused ALL my ram to run @1333.
A little google-fu found the cause, thought I'd save you a little time ^^
thanks everyone I ordered the crucial (http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ct2k8g3s160bm) and hope all will be well.
If you bought them from Crucial, newegg.com has them cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=1&cm_re=CT2K8G3S160BM-_-20-148-609-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=1&cm_re=CT2K8G3S160BM-_-20-148-609-_-Product
And Amazon even cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-12800-SODIMM-204-Pin-CT2C8G3S160BM/dp/B008LTBJFW
Just did this exact thing. Crapper - Well I guess I need to either pull the 8, or go full 32. darn it!