iMac 5K- is 16GB RAM Enough?

[rrrahu1]

Hi,

I just received my stock 5K iMac with Intel i5.

I also just ordered, based on reading these forums, the following RAM:

"Crucial Ballistix Sport SODIMM 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1866 MT/s (PC3-14900) CL10 @1.35V 204-Pin Memory BLS2K8G3N18AES4"

My question is twofold:

1) Is 16 GB @ 1866 Mhz enough to smoothly run a moderately intensive Yosemite?

2) Will I be able to add an additional 16 GB of the same RAM in the future, if need be? (Total RAM would in that case be 32 GB).

Thank you, and apologies if this has been answered before.

 

[stradders]

I have the same and went for the 16GB upgrade at the apple store and have found it to be pretty good so far. You can upgrade more Ram to 32gb when ever you like with matching ram as in 4x8 gb

 

[GGJstudios]

My question is twofold:

1) Is 16 GB @ 1866 Mhz enough to smoothly run a moderately intensive Yosemite?

2) Will I be able to add an additional 16 GB of the same RAM in the future, if need be? (Total RAM would in that case be 32 GB).

1. This should help: How much RAM do I need in my Mac?

2. Yes. You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By selecting your model on the Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool to find RAM information
• By using Mactracker
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model. (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac to verify actual usable RAM.)

 

[rrrahu1]

1. This should help: How much RAM do I need in my Mac?

2. Yes. You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By selecting your model on the Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool to find RAM information
• By using Mactracker
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model. (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac to verify actual usable RAM.)

Thank you for your response.

For question #2 I was wondering whether 32 GB @ 1866 Mhz was possible, as Apple's guidelines only cover the stock 1600 Mhz RAM.

Can anyone help?

 

[GGJstudios]

Thank you for your response.

For question #2 I was wondering whether 32 GB @ 1866 Mhz was possible, as Apple's guidelines only cover the stock 1600 Mhz RAM.

I would suggest you use the specifications that Apple recommends. You wouldn't notice any difference in performance during regular use.

 

[MrGimper]

I would suggest you use the specifications that Apple recommends. You wouldn't notice any difference in performance during regular use.

Wouldn't 1866 RAM just underclock to 1600 anyway, making it pointless?

 

[Meister]

1) Is 16 GB @ 1866 Mhz enough to smoothly run a moderately intensive Yosemite?

2) Will I be able to add an additional 16 GB of the same RAM in the future, if need be? (Total RAM would in that case be 32 GB).

1) What is "moderately intensive Yosemite"?
2) Yes

 

[andy9l]

Wouldn't 1866 RAM just underclock to 1600 anyway, making it pointless?

Apparently not.

That said, the real-world difference is obviously debatable.

 

[rrrahu1]

Apparently not.

That said, the real-world difference is obviously debatable.

My question is specifically whether my iMac will be able to handle 32 GB of this type of RAM while maintaining a 1866 Mhz speed.

Does anyone know if it will work?

 

[phpmaven]

My question is specifically whether my iMac will be able to handle 32 GB of this type of RAM while maintaining a 1866 Mhz speed.

Does anyone know if it will work?

Yup. Works fine on mine running at 1867Mhz