Crucial Ram/ Screen review

[Bluebros]

That's re-assuring for the other folks waiting on their upgrades from Crucial. It looks like it's a bit hit and miss.

I've been a long-time Crucial customer through various Mac purchases over the years but in this instance I've been let down. I am however, delighted with the OWC memory. Stoked that they're the same brand that Apple is using in their 2013 iMacs, plus they fit into the slots perfectly with minimal force. Jackpot.

Just got my OWC memory (2x8GB) and installed with zero problems. My iMac is now running 24GB of RAM and that will be more than enough to take care of business! Thank you for your tip as it helped out a great deal... I am VERY satisfied with the OWC choice. I'm sure Crucial will work great for those who want to save a couple of bucks but having installed both brands, you can tell the quality is much higher in OWC. Thats just my perspective.

Thanks again!!

 

[Old Muley]

I ordered up 32GB of crucial RAM from Amazon using the link in the initial post. My son and I installed it last night. There was an initial hiccup when I turned my iMac back on for the first time: the screen stayed black and there was no startup chime for 30 seconds. It then popped to life and has been good since then.

 

[tomnavratil]

I've installed 32GB kit from Amazon this afternoon and no problem so far. Actually I had biggest trouble opening the back cover, which was pretty tight but got the RAM modules in ok taking my time. It wasn't as tight as expected after reading your reviews guys.

 

[buster84]

A bit concerned because I've ordered my 2x8 Memory cards from amazon,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTBJFW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got the 3 Beeps... Maybe defective so today I just got the replacement from Amazon and it didn't fit properly although they both seem to be identical. I'm not going crazy over here... For whatever reason, these cards aren't working for me. Did I just get the wrong ones?

An update... The original cards were manufactured in China and they fit just fine into the slots. The replacement cards were manufactured in the US and they don't quite fit right and don't slide correctly.

Pretty darn tired of this... Can anyone confirm that I absolutely have the right cards? I've always had no problem upgrading my RAM in other computers so either I got two defective orders OR I got the wrong order. Reading the reviews, they say that it works for iMacs. Any help is appreciated

I had exactly the same problem with the Crucial modules. They didn't fit correctly and gave me the 3 beeps of death. The Crucial boards are slightly too thick compared to the shipping Hynix memory from Apple, which fit perfectly.

I returned the Crucial memory and purchased the 32GB (4x8GB) kit from OWC. The OWC memory I got is actually manufactured by Hynix - so is exactly the same as the Apple shipping memory (apart from being blue). The boards fit perfectly and the system powered on first time with no beeps.

Really disappointed with Crucial but absolutely delighted with OWC.

This is because the Amazon part is designed for the 2012 Ivry bridge models not Haswell 2013 models.

This is the correct part number CT4941624

and link

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=81CE351CA5CA7304


That model number from amazon is listed here in this post (April) as working for the 2012 model which is the same as CT3650282

http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Apple-...lity-question/m-p/126020/highlight/true#M1746

CT3650282 from crucial lists the 2012 model, not the 2013 Haswell models.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=06ED3C48A5CA7304

 

[tomnavratil]

This is because the Amazon part is designed for the 2012 Ivry bridge models not Haswell 2013 models.

This is the correct part number CT4941624

and link

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=81CE351CA5CA7304


That model number from amazon is listed here in this post (April) as working for the 2012 model which is the same as CT3650282

http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Apple-...lity-question/m-p/126020/highlight/true#M1746

CT3650282 from crucial lists the 2012 model, not the 2013 Haswell models.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=06ED3C48A5CA7304

That is correct, there are several versions of RAM running on Amazon, all Crucial but with slightly different parameters. For example, new modules are 1.35V and not 1.5V as they used to be.

I have ordered from Amazon with a Crucial's reference - CT2K8G3S160BM and these work like a charm. Easy installation, no issues what so ever including gaming and benchmarks. Also these get good reviews online and are mentioned as a good fit for our Late-2013 model. Not sure if these are the same as the ones you mentioned above though.

 

[Bluebros]

This is because the Amazon part is designed for the 2012 Ivry bridge models not Haswell 2013 models.

This is the correct part number CT4941624

and link

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=81CE351CA5CA7304


That model number from amazon is listed here in this post (April) as working for the 2012 model which is the same as CT3650282

http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Apple-...lity-question/m-p/126020/highlight/true#M1746

CT3650282 from crucial lists the 2012 model, not the 2013 Haswell models.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=06ED3C48A5CA7304

That is great information! As I spent a good amount of time trying to ensure that I picked the right memory, I couldn't find anything that specifically said it was Late 2013 compatible. Hope more reviews will change that so folks won't make the same mistake. Thanks for helping to clear it up for me...

 

[tomnavratil]

That is great information! As I spent a good amount of time trying to ensure that I picked the right memory, I couldn't find anything that specifically said it was Late 2013 compatible. Hope more reviews will change that so folks won't make the same mistake. Thanks for helping to clear it up for me...

CT2K8G3S160BM from Amazon works more than fine - fit its't too tight and there is no overheating as it's 1.35V. I'm using it all day including hard work and no issues whatsoever. This kit has been also recommended elsewhere.

 

[Erphern]

It was CT2K8G3S160BM that I bought direct from Crucial. It was *way* too tight and the alignment was off. I managed to get it in, but I didn't like that at all so I removed it (with pliers, I couldn't do it by hand) and sent it back.

Perhaps not all CT2K8G3S160BM are the same.

 

[tomnavratil]

It was CT2K8G3S160BM that I bought direct from Crucial. It was *way* too tight and the alignment was off. I managed to get it in, but I didn't like that at all so I removed it (with pliers, I couldn't do it by hand) and sent it back.

Perhaps not all CT2K8G3S160BM are the same.

Really? I would assume it has been a wrong set of modules. As I had the same ones and had no problem fitting them in and everything seems normal. Sorry to hear you had defective ones. It would be great to get someone else with these modules so we get more info.

 

[Mobster1983]

My last experience was with my MBP last year. I was having sporadic freezing issues after adding crucial memory. After running memtest, I discovered one of the sticks was defective. The immediately shipped a replacement and the next one was fine.

Good idea. I just ran a memory test on TechTool Pro 6 on my crucial RAM and all four are fully in the green. I'm happy with mine.

I also had to save a few bucks since the wife wasn't too happy about 2 iPhone 5S purchases, off contract, and a brand new 27" fully-loaded iMac, both in the same week. LOL

 

[Erphern]

Really? I would assume it has been a wrong set of modules. As I had the same ones and had no problem fitting them in and everything seems normal. Sorry to hear you had defective ones. It would be great to get someone else with these modules so we get more info.

I have the OWC set arriving later today - it'll be interesting to see whether these are an easy fit!

Note that the Crucial RAM did work - although the product ID showed up as a hex string of all zeros (weird!) - it just obviously had slightly incompatible dimensions.

 

[tomnavratil]

I have the OWC set arriving later today - it'll be interesting to see whether these are an easy fit!

Note that the Crucial RAM did work - although the product ID showed up as a hex string of all zeros (weird!) - it just obviously had slightly incompatible dimensions.

Good luck, hope it goes well.

There's different modules in circulation, which doesn't help really.

 

[Djay]

Good luck, hope it goes well.

There's different modules in circulation, which doesn't help really.

Got 4 sticks (16gB) to arrive from Crucial due today. With the mix of experiences posted here, my anticipation is a wee bit tempered. It is for a late 2009 iMac i5.

Will post my results for what it is worth.

 

[Erphern]

Just received my memory from OWC. Appears to be Micron, which is interesting - same logo as on the Crucial RAM I sent back. However, these RAM modules slipped in without any pressure whatsoever, and the part number shows up in the system report, whereas with the Crucial RAM it was a string of zeros.

Much better.

 

[tomnavratil]

Just received my memory from OWC. Appears to be Micron, which is interesting - same logo as on the Crucial RAM I sent back. However, these RAM modules slipped in without any pressure whatsoever, and the part number shows up in the system report, whereas with the Crucial RAM it was a string of zeros.

Much better.

Glad it's all sorted for you then!

 

[roland.g]

Just received my memory from OWC. Appears to be Micron, which is interesting - same logo as on the Crucial RAM I sent back. However, these RAM modules slipped in without any pressure whatsoever, and the part number shows up in the system report, whereas with the Crucial RAM it was a string of zeros.

Much better.

My understanding is that current OWC RAM is Micron, not Hynix, as of this week at least.

 

[buster84]

Think I might just shell out the cash for peace of mind and no issues.

Amazon is selling for about $280

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-1...S160BM/dp/B008LTBJFW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

OWC is selling for about $378

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/1600DDR3S32S/

I literally booted up the imac yesterday and it would suck to encounter the 3 beeps of death, haha.

Also - going to try to swap in the 8GB stock memory into my 2009 MBP to see if that will work.

Anyone else try the crucial amazon memory?

I have the crucial ram form amazon and it works just fine. I bought a set from crucial and a set from amazon for testing and they both worked just fine. Both came packaged as DDR3L 1.35v. Amazon was cheaper, but returning to crucial has a restocking fee so their was no point in doing that. Amazon doesn't charge that though.

I used the 2x4 GB oem ram in my 2011 I5 macbook pro and it works just fine. Its running at 1600mhz as well. I'm not sure if it'll work in a 2009, but it doesn't hurt to test and find out.

yea i decided to go with the OWC RAM. Figured I spent $3k on a computer... no point in putting new parts that may be defective over $40 or so. Thanks for the input guys!

Just so you know, OWC ram is Re-branded Crucial ram. OWC might test them before they send them for fitment issues though. Many of companies buy their ram from crucial since they make the micron technology ram. Its been said lots of times on these forums as well.

 

[eddy64]

Just so you know, OWC ram is Re-branded Crucial ram. OWC might test them before they send them for fitment issues though. Many of companies buy their ram from crucial since they make the micron technology ram. Its been said lots of times on these forums as well.

That may be true, but at the end of the day, my RAM came in, fit perfectly, and my brand new iMac is running perfectly. My peace of mind is worth that extra money. OWC must definitely test the ram because these fit in perfectly and I had 0 problems. Glad I went with OWC. I recommend it.

 

[buster84]

That may be true, but at the end of the day, my RAM came in, fit perfectly, and my brand new iMac is running perfectly. My peace of mind is worth that extra money. OWC must definitely test the ram because these fit in perfectly and I had 0 problems. Glad I went with OWC. I recommend it.

Its not "maybe" it is true. OWC just re-brands them with their own name. I bet if you looked at the chips they would look identical down to the micron. Crucial is the Original Micron seller and OWC is the reseller who buys it for them. You Spent $120 extra just to have them test fit it when you could have done it yourself at home. If you were that concerned about Crucial ram you should have bought the 32gig ram from apple. Then it would have been 100% safe, for only a little more than OWC, and it's still the same micron ram... You'll get good customer service with OWC over crucial though, I guess $120 to some would be worth it for that, but then again why not spend a little more and get 100% top customer service from apple.

This is an update for the amazon link i posted earlier. Their was a thread about someone buying it and having overheating issues. He snapped a picture and it didn't say 1.35v DDR3L on the box which is why he had trouble. I bought the ram form that link from amazon inc (wont ever buy from another store on amazon, not sure if that guy did, its possible he got old stock as well that wasn't compatible with the new 2013 models) and the 1.35v DDR3L ram is what i received. I also received 16gb from crucial its self test between amazon and them and they were identical, just different part numbers, but as long as it says DDR3L and 1.35V then you got the right one.