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More memory means more time to boot?

Z

zoran

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jun 30, 2005
4,881
136
My iMac (27", 2.93GHz) had 4GB (2x2GB) from the beginning. Recently i purchased an extra 16GB (2x8GB) module. I took off the 4GB, placed the 16GB and i noticed that boot time takes longer. The chime was heard a 4.8sec and now with the more memory placed its heard at 7.9sec. Users window at boot used to appear at 25.8sec now its appearing at 37.1sec.

Is it normal for boot time to take longer when one places more memory?

Is there some app that i can check with, the speed of my imac?
 
Actually something else might be causing your problems. More memory helps the boot process. Check your HDD, as that is the first thing to be related to boot time increases.
 
Memory must be the issue here because when i switch back to the 4GB it boots faster. And when i say "boots" my time measuring is made up to the chime sound and the user screen appearance not when desktop appears!
 
You can try to install the two memory modules in different slots than they are now.
Should install one in Bank0 and one in Bank1.
You can check in which banks they are installed now from the Apple menu-About this mac-More information-Memory
And then install them in a different memory slot.
 
zoran said:
Is it normal for boot time to take longer when one places more memory?
Click to expand...
Traditionally, on computers, yes, as the RAM is usually checked in some way at boot.
However, as modern computers get faster, the time difference gets smaller and smaller.
I don't know whether those times are typical. I upgraded my Mini from 4 to 16Gb -- but I've never timed it to within 1 tenth of a second!

If your computer runs normally once booted, and is not slow in any other way, then I would relax and get on with my work.

You can check Activity Monitor to see if any process is hogging the CPU. Apart from that, programs that provide you with up-to-the-minute monitoring of various parameters are nothing but distractions and a cause for worry.
 
zoran said:
what does that mean?
Click to expand...

RAM is not only measured by capacity but by speed as well. Right now, Macs have either 1333MHz or 1600MHz RAM speed support. If the rated speed of the memory you bought is slower (say 1066MHz), then your computer's logic board will adjust to that speed and instead of running at the fast speeds it will cap itself at 1066MHz.

In other words, you slowed down your system. You have to ideally get the same speed as your logic board supports or if not, a faster speed (don't worry, your computer won't slow down or speed up, just your RAM will slow down to your computer's maximum speed).
 
How can i check the modules quality? use memtest or remember?
 
jav6454 said:
Actually something else might be causing your problems. More memory helps the boot process. Check your HDD, as that is the first thing to be related to boot time increases.
Click to expand...

No it's not something else. It's memory. When the system switches on, it does a memory test. The more memory you have, the longer it takes before it proceeds to boot up. Simple as that.
 
Raima said:
No it's not something else. It's memory. When the system switches on, it does a memory test. The more memory you have, the longer it takes before it proceeds to boot up. Simple as that.
Click to expand...
so you say that its not an issue, its normal. The more memory installed the more it takes time to prepare for boot?
 
zoran said:
so you say that its not an issue, its normal. The more memory installed the more it takes time to prepare for boot?
Click to expand...

That is correct. It does a quick integrity check before proceeding. My iMacs behave the same way, both of them with 32gb of ram.
 
what are PRAM reset side effects though? will i see any changes of the standard values of my computer?
 
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