so my 2.13ghz intel imac, running tiger can support up to 3gb ram..
would upgrading to leopard / snow leopard allow me to use more ram?
would upgrading to leopard / snow leopard allow me to use more ram?
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OS upgrade, more ram?
- Thread starter thetussinmonstr
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The OS does not determine the maximum amount of RAM your system can take, its usually limited by the processor. 32-bit processors like the PowerPC G4 and the original Intel Core Duo can support a maximum of 4 GB of memory, while 64-bit processors like the G5 and Intel Core 2 Duo can support quite a bit more.
according to everything i've read about this comp it only supports 3gb?
2.16ghz intel core 2 duo imac..
bought it around dec '06 / jan '07
2.16ghz intel core 2 duo imac..
bought it around dec '06 / jan '07
Correct. The 2.16 ghz intel core 2 duo imac's only support up to 3 gb of ram. I'm not sure if upgrading the OS will allow there to be a ram upgrade higher than 3 GB though.
You can put 4GB but only 3.3 will be addressable. It's a limitation of the CPU and chipset (intel Merom, I think). The current platform (last plastic Macbook) runs the intel Santa Rosa chipset which boost addressable memory to 4GB, GMA X3100 graphics and 800Mhz FS Bus rather than 667Mhz.
I think the Santa Rosa chipset started at 2.2, but there may have been a limited release in 2.0Ghz to begin the series.
so why wouldn't 3.3 be listed as the max memory?
also, if i put 2x2gb sticks in it would be better than 3gb since it will utilize 3.3gb, correct?
The memory difference would be negligible but by installing a matched pair you will get a performance boost by enabling dual channel memory.