Upgrading early 2011 iMac

[Sendaii]

So I'm trying to upgrade the memory in my iMac that I bought in early 2011, before the last refresh. It seems like there are 4 memory slots, but the standard build unit you get from Apple only comes with 2 slots full (2x2gb). What would be the best way to upgrade my memory? I'm thinking I want to double it at least, but I'm not to sure how to proceed since this would be my first time upgrading anything with the Mac lineup.

I hear it's pretty simple to actually upgrade the memory. But picking which brand is best, and which configuration is a little daunting so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[zarf2007]

So I'm trying to upgrade the memory in my iMac that I bought in early 2011, before the last refresh. It seems like there are 4 memory slots, but the standard build unit you get from Apple only comes with 2 slots full (2x2gb). What would be the best way to upgrade my memory? I'm thinking I want to double it at least, but I'm not to sure how to proceed since this would be my first time upgrading anything with the Mac lineup.

I hear it's pretty simple to actually upgrade the memory. But picking which brand is best, and which configuration is a little daunting so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

best way is to add an additional 2 x 4GB to make a total of 12GB. Thats enough for most things you want to do and your not wasting/removing the existing RAM....see here:

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=CEB1ACF0A5CA7304


$45.99

The upgrade is simple and does not void the warranty, simply remove two screws on the flap at the bottom and insert the memory.

 

[J&JPolangin]

I have the HP DM4 laptop in my sig that came with 2x2Gb of the same kind of RAM that's in the iMac's so it was easy to upgrade my laptop to 2x4Gb and use the two sticks from the HP in my iMac and as long as they were both 10600 speed they were compatible.

For the cost of one upgrade I was able to get both machines up to 8Gb of RAM.

 

[will waters]

Go onto the crucial web site, download the system scanner, and this will make sure you get the right ram, it is fairly heap as well.

I did this last year, with my iMac and it has got 12gb of ram, and I used crucial

 

[Sendaii]

Thank you guys for the help. I'll look at the Crucial website and get some memory

 

[NunoBerny]

Hi.

Is it possible to mix memory sizes? The iMac comes with 2x2GB. Can I upgrade with, say, 4GB and 8GB in the remaining slots?

 

[Bear]

Hi.

Is it possible to mix memory sizes? The iMac comes with 2x2GB. Can I upgrade with, say, 4GB and 8GB in the remaining slots?

Based on prices... buy a pair of 4GB memory modules and off that's not enough memory, buy a second pair and replace the original memory.

Note you need to keep the Apple memory in case of any AppleCare/warranty service.

 

[NunoBerny]

Based on prices... buy a pair of 4GB memory modules and off that's not enough memory, buy a second pair and replace the original memory.

Note you need to keep the Apple memory in case of any AppleCare/warranty service.

I was asking because my last (non Mac) computer balked when using different sized memories.

I don't really need that much memory, just want to know if there's a clear solution if/when the need arises.

 

[Bear]

I was asking because my last (non Mac) computer balked when using different sized memories.

I don't really need that much memory, just want to know if there's a clear solution if/when the need arises.

Okay, the iMac supposedly supports mismatched memory like you outlined. Best performance is by using match pairs. And right now 8 GB (2 * 4 GB) is only $45. A single 8 GB module is currently noticeably more in price.

Also 8GB memory modules while they may work are not officially supported by Apple.

I would opt for best performance.

 

[josh1231]

Hi.

Is it possible to mix memory sizes? The iMac comes with 2x2GB. Can I upgrade with, say, 4GB and 8GB in the remaining slots?

I second the fact it works. I have 12GB in mine right now.

I don't know if having the mismatched pairs slows it down or not, however having 12GB vs 4GB has been a huge performance increase, especially with parallels.

Make sure you get 1333 DDR3 SODIMM's though, not 1066.

As far as brand goes, I don't know it really matters. I bought the cheapest I could find, however that being said the price difference between no-name brand and crucial is $18 vs $25, so if it worries you pay the extra $16.