Use old memory in new 2012 iMac?

[alexmshore]

Hi there,

I've just been given a brand new 2012 27" iMac and am curious as to wether its possible to install the extra memory I put in my old 2009 27" iMac?

I understand the 2012 models use memory running at 1600Mhz whereas my late 2009 model used 1066Mhz, but cant seem to get find a definitive answer anywhere?

Will it make any difference? Will I be able to use it but not get the performance? Will it not work at all?

Thanks a lot!

 

[rkaufmann87]

Hi there,

I've just been given a brand new 2012 27" iMac and am curious as to wether its possible to install the extra memory I put in my old 2009 27" iMac?

I understand the 2012 models use memory running at 1600Mhz whereas my late 2009 model used 1066Mhz, but cant seem to get find a definitive answer anywhere?

Will it make any difference? Will I be able to use it but not get the performance? Will it not work at all?

Thanks a lot!

Nope they're totally different chips. iMacs are sensitive to the RAM installed, please install the specifications Apple recommends. Otherwise you could risk Kernal Panics which could damage your installation of OS X.

 

[alexmshore]

Nope they're totally different chips. iMacs are sensitive to the RAM installed, please install the specifications Apple recommends. Otherwise you could risk Kernal Panics which could damage your installation of OS X.

Thanks for the reply, guess I'll be ordering some more!

 

[Giuly]

Nope they're totally different chips. iMacs are sensitive to the RAM installed, please install the specifications Apple recommends. Otherwise you could risk Kernal Panics which could damage your installation of OS X.

Not really, and the iMac won't even boot with 1066MHz RAM from the 2009.

Get yourself some Corsair Vengeance or Kingston HyperX Plug'n'Play and off you go. The 27" iMac supports up to 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SODIMM using four 8GB modules.

 

[thedeske]

Not really, and the iMac won't even boot with 1066MHz RAM from the 2009.

Get yourself some Corsair Vengeance or Kingston HyperX Plug'n'Play and off you go. The 27" iMac supports up to 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SODIMM using four 8GB modules.

or - http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-12800-204-Pin-Modules-CT2C8G3S160BM/dp/B008LTBJFW/ref=pd_cp_pc_1

 

[alexmshore]

Ordered through Crucial, they have a sale on at the moment which was good timing too.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[drambuie]

If you're getting performance RAM such as the Vengeance, get a full set of four. If you mix performance memory that has lower latency, such as CL 9 or 10, with the stock CL 11, the memory will downclock to 1333MHz.