Early 2009 iMac - Will it support 16GB?

[Project Alice]

Okay, I've been searching for awhile with no answer found other than those who are assuming that it isn't possible.
Please, only reply if you have in fact tried this, and know it will or will not work. I can find plenty of assumptions on google.

The iMac has a Nvidia MCP79 chipset, which does support 16GB. I'm fairly certain the late 2009 iMacs and MacBooks which do support 16GB use that same chipset. If anything wouldn't support it, it'd be the CPU which is a C2D E8135; and of course doesn't have a page on intel ark, and all of the other random pages with processor info has everything but memory support.
I might just borrow an 8GB stick out of my laptop and see if it works in here, but I figured I'd ask. There's bound to be someone else who has tried it.

 

[chscag]

Wouldn't hurt to try but Apple and Mactracker both say it will only support 8GB. You may be able to put two 8GB modules in that machine but it's likely it will only "see" 8GB.

 

[Project Alice]

Wouldn't hurt to try but Apple and Mactracker both say it will only support 8GB. You may be able to put two 8GB modules in that machine but it's likely it will only "see" 8GB.

Probably what I'll end up doing. Whenever I get around to it I'll post back so other people will be able to see whether or not it works.

 

[JacobHarvey]

Probably what I'll end up doing. Whenever I get around to it I'll post back so other people will be able to see whether or not it works.

Please do report back. My older iMac is identical to yours and it would be interesting to see if it works

 

[Yafster]

As far as I am aware, only the late 2009 models can take 16 GBs of RAM.
Usually, Mac user will find that certain Mac models can take more RAM than Apple "officially" supports.
But, this has only been documented with certain Mac models.
If you have the earlier 2009 iMac, you are stuck with the Mac only recognizing and addressing only 8 GBs of RAM.
If you try and install more, the iMac may not boot or, if it does boot, will only see 8 GBs pit of the total 16 GBs.
As far as I am aware there are no hardware or software hacks to circumvent this.
The logic board, CPU and system bus are all designed to read and use/address only 8 GBs of RAM.
Sorry

 

[Kevbasscat]

Yes I've tried it. I purchased two different sets of ram each from Apple certified Manufacturers and both times I got the the three bells. I talked with their technical service, had a buddy come over and double check my install, just for sanity. So either both of their parts were bad or that 8,1 iMac can't take 16 Gb ram. I returned them and bought a new iMac with the extra money hehe.