iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, Late 2014 - worth upgrading RAM from 16GB to 32GB?

[Phil77354]

My iMac is the late 2014 model, with 500 GB of internal SSD storage and 16 GB of RAM installed (2 x 8 GB).

I want to continue to use this machine for as long as possible, which is one of the reasons I purchased it with the SSD storage. My usage is not particularly heavy although I frequently have multiple applications open at the same time, and may have many web pages open simultaneously too.

I'm wondering if upgrading the RAM with a further 16 GB would be worthwhile? The cost is relatively low at current prices (it looks like a Crucial 16GB RAM kit is about $75-80 on Amazon and probably a bit less if I shop around).

Also, there are two (at least) Crucial 16GB RAM kits on Amazon, I'm curious what the difference is, if any:

- Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/S (PC3-12800) Unbuffered SODIMM 204-Pin Memory - CT2KIT102464BF160B (currently $74.99)

- Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) SODIMM 204-Pin Memory For Mac - CT2K8G3S160BM (currently $78.65)

I believe that the only moving part in my iMac is the fan, so I'm hopeful that I can get several years (at least) more good service out of it.

 

[Richdmoore]

You can look at the memory pressure statistic to see if you will benefit from extra ram.

That being said, ram prices tend to be on a “u“ curve, they are expensive at first, go down as that spec of ram becomes more widely available, then gets pricier when the manufacturers stop or severely reduce the production rate to concentrate on the more modern spec ram.

(I have no idea where on the curve 2014 iMac ram is).

It is also nice once you know you have the max ram available to no longer worry about if you should upgrade or not.

 

[Phil77354]

Thanks - how do I check the memory pressure statistic?

Also, in reading various reviews online for RAM upgrades, I'm finding some claims that new RAM is sometimes not compatible with the Apple RAM originally installed. Comments mentioning kernel issues and improper restarts from sleep?

Seems to me that as long as the RAM is carefully purchased and meets Apple's specs correctly for my model iMac, I should not have such problems.

 

[jerwin]

I have no idea where on the curve 2014 iMac ram is

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Open up /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor

Switch to the Memory tab.

There should be a graph of memory pressure.

 

[Phil77354]

Thanks - I hadn't thought to check the pricing history (I assume you used camelcamelcamel? edit - yes, you did, I see it is at the top of the graph)

Looks like the local Best Buy has some PNY RAM that works too, and I have some rewards certificates still valid that will save me some money there. The PNY RAM has 8 chips on the card vs 4 on the Crucial RAM, which I assume is just their different design.

 

[mj_]

Also, in reading various reviews online for RAM upgrades, I'm finding some claims that new RAM is sometimes not compatible with the Apple RAM originally installed. Comments mentioning kernel issues and improper restarts from sleep?

Those days should be long over. Apple uses industry standard RAM and standard Intel chipsets, and there is nothing special about Macs anymore. As long as you use quality memory according to specification you will be fine, and it's very unlikely to encounter any sort of compatibility issues.

 

[Phil77354]

Thanks.
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[automerge]1581270808[/automerge]
Open up /Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor

Switch to the Memory tab.

There should be a graph of memory pressure.

Yes, I see it now. It has been a while since I've used the Activity Monitor, but I am somewhat familiar with it. Very handy utility. Thanks.

 

[MandiMac]

Yes, I see it now. It has been a while since I've used the Activity Monitor, but I am somewhat familiar with it. Very handy utility. Thanks.

So, is Memory Pressure green or any other color?

 

[TheSufle]

I installed in imac 27 2014 hynix ddr3l 1866mhz memory and it works fine, 2x8 cost 60usd on ebay

 

[Phil77354]

So, is Memory Pressure green or any other color?

I upgraded to 32GB a couple of days ago using two 8GB PNY chips from Best Buy. And one thing about the iMac, installing RAM is sure easy. There is something very satisfying about opening up 'About This Mac' and seeing all of the memory slots full!

The truth is that having 32GB given my typical usage is way over-doing it, but it was so inexpensive with my Best Buy certificates (total $32.56 including tax; I had $50 worth of certificates) that I couldn't resist.

Memory pressure is always green but I'll watch it more now just to see how much of my newly expanded memory gets used if I open multiple applications and windows. I'm sure that I will never really stress the memory capabilities that I now have.

 

[MandiMac]

Memory pressure is always green but I'll watch it more now just to see how much of my newly expanded memory gets used if I open multiple applications and windows. I'm sure that I will never really stress the memory capabilities that I now have.

MacOS will always use almost all of the RAM it is given. Good move