OWC Announces RAM Upgrades for New 27-Inch 5K iMacs

[MacRumors]

Apple on Tuesday unveiled new iMac models that support up to 64GB RAM. Apple charges high prices for RAM upgrades, though, but luckily, there are do-it-yourself options for replacing an iMac's memory after purchase.

Other World Computing this week announced memory upgrade kits designed for the 2019 27-inch 5K iMacs, which let you upgrade your available RAM more affordably.

There are three RAM kits available depending on your needs:

- 16GB Kit (8 GB x 2) OWC2666DDR4S16P - $118.88

- 32GB Kit (16GB x 2) OWC2666DDR4S32P - $229.88

- 64GB Kit (16GB x 4) OWC2666DDR4S64S - $449.99

OWC's RAM kits let you save 40 to 60 percent over Apple's upgrade pricing, and there is an option to trade in the existing RAM in your machine to get a discount.

OWC says that it is testing 128GB of memory in the 27-inch iMac models and will confirm whether or not the machine supports it in the near future. So far, the 27-inch iMac has been able to see 128GB of memory, which seems promising for even further RAM upgrades. OWC offers a lifetime limited warranty for its memory kits, along with a 30 day money back guarantee.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: OWC Announces RAM Upgrades for New 27-Inch 5K iMacs

 

[pavelbure]

As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks, keep your old ram. You never know when you may have to get your iMac repaired or replaced.

 

[tevion5]

Can't recommend OWC enough. Just got a 256GB SSD upgrade for my aging Power Mac G5 Quad. Timely delivery and good prices. Their continued support for older Macs especially is fantastic.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

I feel like the RAM in the 2019 model is literally interchangeable with the RAM in the 2017 model. Literally the only change in these 2019 iMacs is a new processor and a new GPU option. iFixIt, prove me wrong.

 

[guzhogi]

As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks, keep your old ram. You never know when you may have to get your iMac repaired or replaced.

Agreed. Learned this the hard way, unfortunately

I also have to wonder who makes their RAM? It just seems so ridiculous how much Apple charges for upgrade, when you can get the same amount of memory AND keep your old memory for so much less.
[doublepost=1553108491][/doublepost]

Can't recommend OWC enough. Just got a 256GB SSD upgrade for my aging Power Mac G5 Quad. Timely delivery and good prices. Their continued support for older Macs especially is fantastic.

Unfortunately, I've had bad luck with their SSDs. I lot of them failed within weeks. I also tried one of their 2 SSD RAID 0/1 portable drives a while ago. Said it was bus powered. So I started backing up my 100+ GB Photos library. Got stuck not even halfway. So I contacted support, and suggested I get the external power supply. Kind of annoyed since it stated that it was supposed to be bus powered, but whatever. So I get the external power supply, and it still got stuck half way. So support had me send it in for a new one. Same exact thing. Got one of the SSDs for one a MacBook Air. It worked… until I found out macOS 10.13 wouldn't install on it. Sure, OWC sent out a firmware update to fix it, but it's the principal of the thing.

 

[MauiPa]

I feel like the RAM in the 2019 model is literally interchangeable with the RAM in the 2017 model. Literally the only change in these 2019 iMacs is a new processor and a new GPU option. iFixIt, prove me wrong.

if you read a spec sheet, you don't need ifixit to tear it down. The spec for the 2017 27 iMac is

Technology: DDR4 SO-DIMM 260 Pin
Density: 4 x 16GB (16384MB)
RoHS: Yes
Pin Count: 260-pin
Op. Temp.: 0C to +85C
Data Rate: DDR4-2400
Speed: PC4-19200
CL: 17
Voltage: 1.2V
ECC: Non ECC

while the 2019 iMac is \
Technology: DDR4 SO-DIMM 260 Pin
Density: 4 x 16GB (16384MB)
RoHS: Yes
Pin Count: 260-pin
Op. Temp.: 0C to +85C
Data Rate: DDR4-2666
Speed: PC4-21300
Voltage: 1.2V

This is from OWC. Will it work? Hey its different, the 2017 is slower, beyond that, ask google

 

[Jimmdean]

I recommend the Crucial 2666 SODIMMs on Amzn. They're cheaper too.

 

[jrlcopy]

Can't recommend OWC enough. Just got a 256GB SSD upgrade for my aging Power Mac G5 Quad. Timely delivery and good prices. Their continued support for older Macs especially is fantastic.

I refuse to buy anything from them after their old firewire/usb raids and dealing with failures across the board from them.

 

[RyanXM]

As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks, keep your old ram. You never know when you may have to get your iMac repaired or replaced.

Replacing your RAM with third party RAM DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT, void your warranty or AppleCare+. If an employee at a store tells you this, they are flat out LYING. I know this as I previously worked at an Apple Store. If they find that your RAM is causing an issue, their Family Room Team ie. Genius Bar, should have test RAM (Known Good) to ensure that all other components are functioning.

 

[SBlue1]

It's OWC great video tutorials that helped me upgrade my 2012 MacBook Pro with RAM and a SSD and extend its lifetime, save my money and keep the Mac from the landfill. Can't praise them enough.

 

[bladerunner2000]

It just seems so ridiculous how much Apple charges for upgrade, when you can get the same amount of memory AND keep your old memory for so much less.

Why do you so many of you tolerate it?

 

[smithrh]

Replacing your RAM with third party RAM DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT, void your warranty or AppleCare+. If an employee at a store tells you this, they are flat out LYING. I know this as I previously worked at an Apple Store. If they find that your RAM is causing an issue, their Family Room Team ie. Genius Bar, should have test RAM (Known Good) to ensure that all other components are functioning.

Yep. On my 2012 iMac (yes, it's due for a replacement) I upgraded to max RAM within 15 minutes of getting it back home when it was new.

It's been in for service 3 maybe 4 times, was never an issue.

 

[macduke]

I just bought this yesterday, which is cheaper. The iMac comes with 2x4GB for the 8GB config. This is a 2x16GB kit for $199 from Crucial, which has been a good brand for me in the past. I'll then upgrade them in matched pairs (since there are four slots) so they can use the full speed dual-channel and then I will have an upgrade to 40GB of RAM for $199 on my new 5K iMac, with all the other specs maxed out.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H38422/

 

[B4U]

Replacing your RAM with third party RAM DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT, void your warranty or AppleCare+. If an employee at a store tells you this, they are flat out LYING. I know this as I previously worked at an Apple Store. If they find that your RAM is causing an issue, their Family Room Team ie. Genius Bar, should have test RAM (Known Good) to ensure that all other components are functioning.

To add to the point, I have an out of warranty iMac with the OWC RAM and needed a repair. The genius bar guys took a look and still performed all the necessary repair with those RAM in place.

 

[Guyp16]

Replacing your RAM with third party RAM DOES NOT, I repeat DOES NOT, void your warranty or AppleCare+. If an employee at a store tells you this, they are flat out LYING. I know this as I previously worked at an Apple Store. If they find that your RAM is causing an issue, their Family Room Team ie. Genius Bar, should have test RAM (Known Good) to ensure that all other components are functioning.

I’m ex Apple too and can confirm RyanXM’s points.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

I had a problem imac a couple back, that was just one failure after another. The board, then the hinge, then the camera and upper assembly, then the PS, then the board again. I think the technicians must have reinstalled my OWC memory 5 times by the time I finally gave that thing away, and never batted an eye when I warned them in advance. ...actually when I bought that machine and sent my OEM 4GB sticks in for a few $ back, they tested them and found one of them was bad. I was initially skeptical, but given everything else that turned out to be defective on that machine I appreciated that they tested all 4 sticks they sent to put in mine first.

I picked up one of their Envoy Pro External ssd’s and Ive been wailing on it with FCPX pretty hard ever since, and so far I couldn’t be happier.

 

[gnasher729]

I recommend the Crucial 2666 SODIMMs on Amzn. They're cheaper too.

Why do you recommend them? As it stands, your post is useless. You need to add something like "I recommend ... because I'm a Crucial employee" or "I recommend ... because my Mac uses that memory and has been working fine".

 

[_MikeC.]

I recommend the Crucial 2666 SODIMMs on Amzn. They're cheaper too.

I used both Crucial and OWC without any issues. My only problem with Crucial is their website often seems out of date and it is sometimes difficult to search. In the past I've actually called them to find the right memory for my computer. As I recall, the customer service person said she uses Google to find the right memory rather than their own search tool.

Now that is one data point. Your mileage may vary.

 

[cb3]

Do you need to install memory in matched pairs?

 

[Jimmdean]

Why do you recommend them? As it stands, your post is useless. You need to add something like "I recommend ... because I'm a Crucial employee" or "I recommend ... because my Mac uses that memory and has been working fine".

No - I do not need to do that...

 

[dozers]

Do you need to install memory in matched pairs?

Yes!