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iMac (late 2009) 16GB RAM upgrade question

T

Travisimo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 22, 2009
991
226
I have a late 2009 iMac with 2.66ghz i5 Quadcore. I currently have 8GB of Ram in the computer (ordered it that way). I want to upgrade to 16GB of Ram, so I'm looking for suggestions on the best deal on RAM for this upgrade.

I believe my iMac has 4 slots that can hold 4GB each, so I need 4x4GB chips, right? I did a search for "late 2009 imac ram upgrade" and found many results, but I didn't know if I'm overpaying or not. Crucial seems to have upgrades up to 8GB but not 16GB for this model on their website. OWC had the 16GB upgrade but it was over $120:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/DDR3_21.5_27

On Amazon, I found a 8GB upgrade kit (2X4GB) for $38.99 from Corsair. Couldn't I just buy two of those kits and use all 4 chips to achieve 16GB of Ram, or does it not work that way? Here is the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Chann...15&sr=8-7&keywords=imac+late+2009+16gb+memory

Thanks for any suggestions,
Travis
 
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yes that will work, but you can actually upgrade your 2009 iMac to DDR3 1333. I have an iMac 2009 with an i7 and that is what i have done. As for performance i dont really know but it seems daft not to upgrade when the price is minimal

and for the record, i have komputerbay ram, it has been in for nearly the 3 years i have owned this computer and its never broke a sweat or caused any issues at all. just somthing else to look at instead of paying silly money on an upgrade. hope this helps!

http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-M...1389&sr=1-1&keywords=komputerbay+8gb+1333+mac
 
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Crucial would've listed the 2x4GB memory kit as an option for the system. If your system has 4 ram slots, then you would buy 2 of those kits.

Also does your system have 4x2GB or 2x4GB? Depending on what you ordered, you may only need to add a 2x4GB kit.
 
Arkious said:
yes that will work, but you can actually upgrade your 2009 iMac to DDR3 1333. I have an iMac 2009 with an i7 and that is what i have done. As for performance i dont really know but it seems daft not to upgrade when the price is minimal

and for the record, i have komputerbay ram, it has been in for nearly the 3 years i have owned this computer and its never broke a sweat or caused any issues at all. just somthing else to look at instead of paying silly money on an upgrade. hope this helps!

http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-M...1389&sr=1-1&keywords=komputerbay+8gb+1333+mac
Click to expand...

You've linked to the single stick of 8GB Ram, but I think my iMac can only take up to 4GB per slot. And I have 4 slots, so I'd have to go with 4 sticks of 4GB.

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Bear said:
Crucial would've listed the 2x4GB memory kit as an option for the system. If your system has 4 ram slots, then you would buy 2 of those kits.

Also does your system have 4x2GB or 2x4GB? Depending on what you ordered, you may only need to add a 2x4GB kit.
Click to expand...

I will have to open it up and look. I know from the specs that it has 4 slots, but I'm not sure how it comes from the factory when I ordered it. That would great if it currently has 2 sticks of 4GB. Would I have to match the other 2 sticks to exactly what I have (brand, speed, etc) or is there some flexibility?

Guess it's time to open it up and see! :)
 
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Travisimo said:
You've linked to the single stick of 8GB Ram, but I think my iMac can only take up to 4GB per slot. And I have 4 slots, so I'd have to go with 4 sticks of 4GB.

----------



I will have to open it up and look. I know from the specs that it has 4 slots, but I'm not sure how it comes from the factory when I ordered it. That would great if it currently has 2 sticks of 4GB. Would I have to match the other 2 sticks to exactly what I have (brand, speed, etc) or is there some flexibility?

Guess it's time to open it up and see! :)
Click to expand...

apologies, here is the correct 2x4gb one your after (the one i have installed atm) http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-1...5409&sr=1-5&keywords=komputerbay+8gb+1333+mac
 
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Travisimo said:
...
I will have to open it up and look. I know from the specs that it has 4 slots, but I'm not sure how it comes from the factory when I ordered it. That would great if it currently has 2 sticks of 4GB. Would I have to match the other 2 sticks to exactly what I have (brand, speed, etc) or is there some flexibility?

Guess it's time to open it up and see! :)
Click to expand...
Or from the Apple menu, select "About This Mac" and then click on "More Info..." and then select memory.

Brand doesn't matter. Speed does, however most iMacs only have one memory speed they function at, so that won't be an issue.

I'm running one memory kit Apple and one Crucial in mine.
 
Bear said:
Or from the Apple menu, select "About This Mac" and then click on "More Info..." and then select memory.

Brand doesn't matter. Speed does, however most iMacs only have one memory speed they function at, so that won't be an issue.

I'm running one memory kit Apple and one Crucial in mine.
Click to expand...

Ah ha, thanks for that! I didn't know System Report would show the memory configuration as well as the amount. Unfortunately, it appears that there are 4 - 2GB sticks of RAM, so I'll need to replace all four of them to upgrade to 16GB. Oh well, at least RAM is relatively cheap these days!

Thanks everyone!
 
Arkious said:
Why do you need to change all 4 with another 4? Just curious as I might be missing somthing
Click to expand...

Well as the other poster said, I could leave 2 in there and just replace 2 of them, but that would only give me 12GB of Ram. If I want to have 16GB of Ram, I would need to replace all 4 sticks because there's currently four 2GB sticks of RAM (8GB total) in my machine.

And according to Apple's specs, my machine can only take 4GB sticks, so it's not like I could just buy two 8GB sticks either. The only way to get 16GB of RAM on my machine is to use four 4GB sticks (4x4GB).

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and comments!
 
So can the late 2009 iMac can take 1333mhz RAM? Im looking to upgrade to 16GB on my iMac11,1. Who has the best prices on RAM right now?
 
Just letting you guys know, our late model 2009 27" iMacs are capable of running 32GB of RAM. I'm running 32GB atm.

That should give you more options. It may be easier just to purchase 2 x 8GB modules, and keep the existing 2 x 2GB sticks in there, which will bring your machine up to 20GB of RAM.
 
thats good to know, but will you actually need 32gb of ram? ive never come close to running 8 let alone 16 or 32.

Think about how much you really need before going and buying your RAM. also if your buying 1333, you cant use your original RAM at the same time
 
Arkious said:
thats good to know, but will you actually need 32gb of ram? ive never come close to running 8 let alone 16 or 32.

Think about how much you really need before going and buying your RAM. also if your buying 1333, you cant use your original RAM at the same time
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have 4 virtual machines on the iMac. 2 x Windows 7, 1 x Windows 8 and a Windows XP virtual machine.

Generally I run 1 or 2, but it's nice to have all 4 running if needed, and in the past I have required all four running.
 
Raima said:
Yeah, I have 4 virtual machines on the iMac. 2 x Windows 7, 1 x Windows 8 and a Windows XP virtual machine.

Generally I run 1 or 2, but it's nice to have all 4 running if needed, and in the past I have required all four running.
Click to expand...

then i can completely see why u need so much RAM! wow! haha
 
I went from 4gb to 8 and now to 16 in my late 09 27". The thing flys, sped up everything.
Had the HD replaced by Apple and it is like new. Jus wish the thing wasn't so damn hot.
 
What kinda difference is there in speed between the 1066 and the 1333mhz?
 

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