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Upgrade RAM while keeping original

N

NeonBible

macrumors member
Original poster
Hey, guys!

I'm getting my 27" iMac late 2012 on Monday, and have already bought some extra RAM (crucial 8GB 1600MHz SODIMM for Mac). My question is if I can keep the original RAM and add the extra RAM? As far as I know, the iMac comes with 4 x 2 GB RAM, while my new RAM is one on 8 GB. How is it to mix different RAM brands and sizes?

Here is the original link to the RAM I bought:

http://www.netonnet.no/art/data/komponenter/internminne/sodimm-ddr3/crucial-8gbddr3sodimmformac/179811.7062/?ismobile=false

And one more question: How is it to upgrade RAM before the first boot?

Thanks in advance! 🙂
 
Last edited:
NeonBible said:
Hey, guys!

I'm getting my 27" iMac late 2012 on Monday, and have already bought some extra RAM (crucial 8GB 1600MHz SODIMM for Mac). My question is if I can keep the original RAM and add the extra RAM? As far as I know, the iMac comes with 4 x 2 GB RAM, while my new RAM is one on 8 GB. How is it to mix different RAM brands and sizes?

Here is the original link to the RAM I bought:

http://www.netonnet.no/art/data/komponenter/internminne/sodimm-ddr3/crucial-8gbddr3sodimmformac/179811.7062/?ismobile=false

And one more question: How is it to upgrade RAM before the first boot?

Thanks in advance! 🙂
Click to expand...
You iMac should come with 2x4GB, so you will be able to keep that RAM in there when you add the new module. It should be just fine to put the RAM in there before the first boot. The only problem with that single stick being added is it won't be dual channel. Only that original 8GB it came with will be in dual channel.
 
I also have the 27" late 2012 iMac and added RAM from Crucial. I purchased 2x8 gb sticks. I removed the original Apple 2x4 gb sticks and replaced them with the 2x8 gb sticks from Crucial - I then replaced Apple's 2x4's in the remaining 2 slots.

Total of 24 gig's of RAM. Works like a charm! Enjoy your new machine - it's fantastic!
 
Kelsmom18 said:
I also have the 27" late 2012 iMac and added RAM from Crucial. I purchased 2x8 gb sticks. I removed the original Apple 2x4 gb sticks and replaced them with the 2x8 gb sticks from Crucial - I then replaced Apple's 2x4's in the remaining 2 slots.

Total of 24 gig's of RAM. Works like a charm! Enjoy your new machine - it's fantastic!
Click to expand...

I don't know that you needed to pull the first set of RAM. When I spoke to an Apple rep, they told me it was fine to just install the new RAM in the remaining open slots to get the benefits of match pairs in dual channels.
 
Yeah, I wouldn't have removed the original if I was just going to put them back in.
 
iF34R said:
You iMac should come with 2x4GB, so you will be able to keep that RAM in there when you add the new module. It should be just fine to put the RAM in there before the first boot. The only problem with that single stick being added is it won't be dual channel. Only that original 8GB it came with will be in dual channel.
Click to expand...
How will this practically affect the iMac? Is it noticeable?
 
NeonBible said:
How will this practically affect the iMac? Is it noticeable?
Click to expand...

I doubt you'd notice the difference to be honest.

The eventual problem could be when you add another stick in there, that it doesn't match 100% with the single stick already in there. It can cause problems; having to reduce frequency or increasing the timings. It's not something DDR3 1600 or lower has many problems with, but it is a possibility.
 
iF34R said:
I doubt you'd notice the difference to be honest.

The eventual problem could be when you add another stick in there, that it doesn't match 100% with the single stick already in there. It can cause problems; having to reduce frequency or increasing the timings. It's not something DDR3 1600 or lower has many problems with, but it is a possibility.
Click to expand...

Can you even add RAM in this way (single-stick)? This doesn't seem to be optimal even if you could.
 
I read mix reviews on the RAM slots.

I eliminated it, sold the original 2x4GB sticks and replaced it with 4x8GB. LOL
 
bembol said:
I read mix reviews on the RAM slots.

I eliminated it, sold the original 2x4GB sticks and replaced it with 4x8GB. LOL
Click to expand...

That's basically what I'm doing. Well, right now I stuck that extra 8GB in my Asus G75VW-BBK. 🙂
 
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