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MythicFrost

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 11, 2009
3,944
40
Australia
Hey, I'd just like to make sure that it'll work just fine with 2x4GB RAM modules as well as 2x2GB RAM modules for a total of 12GB? I don't need to get 16GB do I?
 
ram

The iMac (Late 2009) computer has four SDRAM slots in the bottom of the computer and comes with at least 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM installed as two 2GB DIMMs into two slots.

The maximum amount of RAM you can install in the computer is 16 GB (a 4 GB SO-DIMM in each slot).

You can use any Small-Outline dual inline memory modules (SO-DIMMS) that meet all of these criteria:

PC3-8500
Unbuffered
Nonparity
204-pin
1066 MHz
DDR3 SDRAM
You can use RAM module sizes of 2 GB or 4 GB in each slot.

DIMMs with any of the following features do not work in the iMac (Late 2009):

Registers or buffers
PLLs
ECC
Parity
EDO RAM
 
ram

with that info coming directly from apple, i would assume that a 2 or 4 Gm modual can be used in each and any slot. i would pair them tho like all your 4gb in top slots and all your 2gb in bottom.

*i have come to the startling conclusion that my big beefy 27 inch imac is nothing more than a glorified laptop that i cant take anywhere. a mobile processor, mobile graphics chip, and now, laptop memory... *
 
Thanks guys,
with that info coming directly from apple, i would assume that a 2 or 4 Gm modual can be used in each and any slot. i would pair them tho like all your 4gb in top slots and all your 2gb in bottom.

*i have come to the startling conclusion that my big beefy 27 inch imac is nothing more than a glorified laptop that i cant take anywhere. a mobile processor, mobile graphics chip, and now, laptop memory... *
Note: It's a desktop CPU, if we're talking about the quads anyway.
 
Ah...

Depends on what iMac we're talking about.

Is this is a late 2009 model or one of the summer 2010 refresh models?

The refreshes use different ram than the late 2009 models (fall 2009 models use DDR3 1067 Mhz while the new use DDR3 1333 Mhz memory).

I'm running 12 gigs in my late 2009 model, I have 2 sticks of 4 GB DDR3 and 2 sticks of 2 GB DDR3.
 
Im trying to decide whether to add 4Gb or 8GB to the original 4GB...

I will be using iMovie, Aperture, Photoshop, Handbrake & playing Starcraft.

What do people recomend? I dont like quitting processes too! :p So I am guessing 12GB may be best!
 
Hey, I'd just like to make sure that it'll work just fine with 2x4GB RAM modules as well as 2x2GB RAM modules for a total of 12GB? I don't need to get 16GB do I?

Yup, I just added 2x4GB PC3-8500 to my iMac 2.8GHz i7 on friday and it's friggin awesome.
 
Thanks for your replies all, and yes it is a 2009 model.
Im trying to decide whether to add 4Gb or 8GB to the original 4GB...

I will be using iMovie, Aperture, Photoshop, Handbrake & playing Starcraft.

What do people recomend? I dont like quitting processes too! :p So I am guessing 12GB may be best!
I'd recommend you go with 2x4GB modules, it's only another $135 to get 2x4GB than it is to get 2x2GB.
 
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