Mixing RAM sizes on iMac with DDR3

[pattayatiger]

I have a 2009 iMac with 2 RAM slots. I currently have 4GB with 2GB in each slot.

Can I replace one of the 2GB sticks with a 4GB stick to get a total of 6GB? It would be the same DDR3 speed just a stick with more RAM.

Currently living overseas and RAM is fairly expensive.

I know this cancels the dual channel bandwidth but is the dual channel advantage real. Would 6GB single channel be better than 4GB dual channel?

Thanks

 

[alust2013]

If you need the extra memory, then it would be better to have the 6GB than have 4GB in dual channel. In fact, it actually is dual channel for the 2GB and the 1st 2GB on the 4GB, then the extra 2GB is by itself. In any case, RAM is already so fast that dual channel has little to no noticeable effect.

 

[DisMyMac]

I don't think pairing DIMMs matters anymore...

Intel Flex Memory Technology

It used to be true, but now it's a myth that won't die.