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For those looking for RAM upgrades for the Retina iMac

Can I use the 16GB Crucial RAM (CT8G3S160BM) from my 2012 Mac Mini in my new 5k iMac?

What is the difference between CT8G3S160BM and CT2C8G3S160BM?
 
mstgkillr said:
Can I use the 16GB Crucial RAM (CT8G3S160BM) from my 2012 Mac Mini in my new 5k iMac?

What is the difference between CT8G3S160BM and CT2C8G3S160BM?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use that RAM in iMac. The difference in those is just the packaging part number.

CT8G3S160BM is one single 8 GB stick.
CT2C8G3S160BM is two 8 GB sticks in a package.
 
FYI: I purchased the 16 GB kit from Crucial, and added the two 8-Giggers into the two empty slots for a total of 24 GB.

Works like a charm!
 
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I'm a regular home user with occasional photo editing with lightroom and photoshop. Plan to watch lots of HD videos and I torrent almost 24/7.
Should I opt for an additional 16gb RAM to total to 24gb OR should I just spend the extra $135 and order 2x 16gb crucial ram kit from amazon and max it to 32gb?
I'm trying to gauge if 24gb or 32gb is the better option for me.
 
dragon529 said:
I'm a regular home user with occasional photo editing with lightroom and photoshop. Plan to watch lots of HD videos and I torrent almost 24/7.
Should I opt for an additional 16gb RAM to total to 24gb OR should I just spend the extra $135 and order 2x 16gb crucial ram kit from amazon and max it to 32gb?
I'm trying to gauge if 24gb or 32gb is the better option for me.
Click to expand...

You could start with the 24 and see if it is enough; then if not buy another set. I wanted to max out but I expect you won't see a ton of difference at all.
 
Would it be ok to match the stock apple 8gb ram with crucial 8gb for a total of 16gb? Any negatives to this vs getting the all matched apple 16gb?
 
Thanks to so many who contributed to this thread! :D

I was thrown off by the different part numbers between the identical product at Amazon, vs. buying directly from Crucial. You enlightened me & I just ordered 2 X 16GB DDR3 for my wife's soon to arrive iMac 5K! I ordered this from Amazon:

Qty 2) X Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Memory for Mac CT2C8G3S160BM

The iMac 5K being configured by Apple will replace her late maxed out 2011 iMac 27", so I configured the new one fully maxed out, including 1TB Flash, 4GB Graphics, 4Ghz i7 - everything except for the 8GB Ram Memory.

Thank you again! Saved $59 + 6% tax. Would have saved 5% additional from Chase, but I had a gift card from trading in my iPad Air & used part of those funds. ;)
 
very helpful info, thank you.

anyone know, from experience, how much these RAMS went for last Black Friday?

I'd like to get 32GB but wondering if prices will be lower in a month. thanks.
 
sleepyking said:
very helpful info, thank you.

anyone know, from experience, how much these RAMS went for last Black Friday?

I'd like to get 32GB but wondering if prices will be lower in a month. thanks.
Click to expand...

The price of RAM fluctuates wildly. Sometime higher or lower when comparing one month to the next....so it's very hard to tell. However, over time (say a year or two), prices will drop dramatically.

Bryan
 
Bryan Bowler said:
The price of RAM fluctuates wildly. Sometime higher or lower when comparing one month to the next....so it's very hard to tell. However, over time (say a year or two), prices will drop dramatically.

Bryan
Click to expand...

$20 more in Canada for the same crucial 2 4gb sticks too.
 
What is the benefit from using what you have (quoted) as opposed to this, what is already mentioned in this thread: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-12800-SODIMM-204-Pin-CT2C8G3S160BM/dp/B008LTBJFW that Amazon sells?

"Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Memory for Mac CT2C8G3S160BM"


What about this model: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQCOV5C

"Kingston HyperX Impact Black 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1600MHz DDR3L CL9 SODIMM 1.35V Laptop Memory (HX316LS9IBK2/16)"


Is it worth it spend a little more for one of these kits instead?


mmomega said:
My 2013 runs great on 32GB of http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DSGLMSM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am fairly certain that the 2014 riMac would benefit from it as well.
Click to expand...
 
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I bought a set of 16GB (8x2) Kits from Crucial in 2013 for my iMac, but never installed it.

Will it work ?

So, I simply put the 8GB to 4 slots and make it 32GB RAM, correct ?
Will that same RAM work ?
 
soamz said:
I bought a set of 16GB (8x2) Kits from Crucial in 2013 for my iMac, but never installed it.

Will it work ?

So, I simply put the 8GB to 4 slots and make it 32GB RAM, correct ?
Will that same RAM work ?
Click to expand...

If the RAM you bought was to fit an iMac from 2012 or later, then that's perfect.

The stock RAM for the 5K iMac is 8GB (2x4GB). That leaves two empty slots, which you could fill with your 16GB.

The slot configuration would be as such (vertically, top-bottom = left-to-right)...

From Apple:
<empty> <4GB> <empty> <4GB>

With your 16GB from Crucial:
<8GB> <4GB> <8GB> <4GB>
 
I bought these:
Kingston HyperX Impact Black 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 1866MHz DDR3L

They are running at 1867MHz on my riMac. Obviously this isn't going to make any dramatic difference, but the additional cost is minimal and I figure if it speeds things up, even just a little, it's worth it. I spent $4K on this rig, what a few simoleans more? :D
 
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