What RAM to buy to update new iMac launched today?

[Libor]

I am not sure if you can still find compatible RAM after 2-3 years. This is my concern as well.

Do you think that after 2-3 years I couldn't buy same model? I am not sure how often are RAM replace with new model. I hope I could buy same model but far cheaper. So I should probably buy next 32GB RAM in next several months?

 

[guibo]

Do you think that after 2-3 years I couldn't buy same model? I am not sure how often are RAM replace with new model. I hope I could buy same model but far cheaper. So I should probably buy next 32GB RAM in next several months?

Ddr3 ram is still widely available in all specs. Don't have to worry about it. Only now is ddr3 starting to climb in price and lower in production.

So whenever you see ddr5 become available, you will have about 2-3 years left to get your ram.

 

[Jimmdean]

Hello guys,

there are many posts and I tried to read them but I dont know much about RAMs so could someone help me which to choose:
* Kingstone HyperX Impact 2x16GB DDR4 2400MHz
* 2x Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 16GB 2666MHz

I have original 8GB RAM in iMac 27" 2017 (just bought) and I would like to keep them until I decide to buy another 2x16GB RAMs (this could be after year, 2 years or maybe later). So can I keep 8GB there? Which one is better for iMac? Kingstone or Crucial? I really dont know anything about CL, timing etc. So I am really looking for easy answer which should I buy

Thanks

I wouldn't buy either of those - especially if you want to use the included RAM. Buy the less expensive Crucial sets mentioned earlier.

 

[randian]

I just ordered the HyperX as well but (4x8Gb) config for 32 Gb total. I took a good look at my usage under Activity Monitor and I rarely exceed 16 Gb with all my Apps open so this will do. I plan on selling my Apple OEM 8 Gb to help recoup some of the cost.

What do you expect to get for your OEM RAM?

 

[posguy99]

How do you guys handle RAM issue when ordering from Amazon? Do we have to ship it back at our own cost?

Do you have to read the return guidelines that accompany every product on Amazon.com when you order?

 

[SaSaSushi]

I wouldn't buy either of those - especially if you want to use the included RAM. Buy the less expensive Crucial sets mentioned earlier.

"Less expensive" depends entirely on where the poster resides. For me here in Japan, the Ballistix was actually the cheapest option.

Also, I can personally attest that the Ballistix works just fine at 2400 MHz with the stock Apple RAM.

 

[ilovewasabi]

What do you expect to get for your OEM RAM?

I guess I can answer this question cause I just bought 8gb of ram that was pulled from a 2017 iMac off ebay. Paid 45. Wouldn't be surprised if the seller posted here.

 

[Trebuin]

Has anyone tried 2666MHz ram in the iMac yet? Is it just down clocking to 2400 or giving any speed benefits?

 

[linkmon99]

Ugh wth, I just got my crucial ram it's 2x8GB
The model number is:
CT8G4S24AM.8FB1

I tried putting the 2 in the empty slots in my iMac but then the iMac wouldn't work. Anyone else have this issue?
[doublepost=1498278424][/doublepost]

Never mind. After further swapping, changing and testing, they are now all working. Either the iMac was just being fussy or maybe I wasn't initially applying enough pressure to ensure they were seated properly.

I think I have the same ram as you: CT8G4S24AM.8FB1
How did you organize it so it works?

 

[SaSaSushi]

How did you organize it so it works?

Did you read the sentence you quoted? It says it was resolved by applying enough pressure to properly seat the RAM. This is a common issue.

It takes a fair amount of pressure applied evenly to both sides to properly seat the DIMMs. That's where I'd recommend you start. Remove and reseat the new RAM.

 

[jayfromnova]

So what's considered a good (as opposed to current) price for 2x8 and 2x16 kits? Especially the somewhat faster CL14 kits. I can afford to wait for prices to some down again after the current spike in demand wanes.

This is a good question. Anyone posit a view? Same boat. I have two weeks (approx) before my iMac shows up.

 

[smbu2000]

Installed that same Crucial 16GBx2 kit (CT2K16G4SFD824A) in my 27" (i7/580/8GB/512GB SSD) imac and it seems to be working fine like everybody else. Running 40GB total at 2400MHz right now.

I had ordered the RAM over a week ago just after placing my BTO order and now the price of it has gone up where I'm located. Contemplated getting another 32GB, but looks like I'll just stay as-is for now.
I'm guessing it's from people ordering them for the new iMacs, heh.

 

[jeanlain]

Just received my crucial RAM from amazon today. No issues whatsoever. Seems to be the best priced for this type/speed I've seen so far, and it's in stock;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BIWMWVS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just ordered the same since the Mac-specific RAM is sold out at Crucial. I'll report... when I get the iMac itself.

 

[cal6n]

8GB is probably enough for me. However I bought one 8GB stick of bog-standard Crucial 2400 CL17 non Mac specific RAM (~£58 delivered from Amazon) and installed it in a 4-4-8-0 config. It's all working fine and showing 16GB at 2400. If I need more in the future, which I doubt, I'll just grab another one of the same spec and move everything into a 4-8-4-8 config. Job done...

this is far from an optimal approach. ram is sold in pairs for a reason, you need well matched ram for it to work well in dual channel. even if you match specs, a future RAM stick will not be a perfect pair. consequences of that can range from a small speed loss to system instability as it forces dual channel.

Populating dual channel memory isn't as simple as most people believe.

As well as working with paired RAM across banks, it also works with equal quantities of equivalently timed RAM in each bank.

You got me wondering about this, so I decided to test it. I used Geekbench 4 in tryout mode and analysed the overall scores, and the multi-core memory scores and data.

I compared three configs:

• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels - 4-0-4-0 (Stock RAM)
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels plus 1x8GB - 4-8-4-0 (Paired DIMMS)
  
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB in the same channel plus 1x8GB in the second channel - 4-4-8-0 (Equal Quantity)

Here's the results in table form:

And here they are as graphs:

So, I'm concluding that installing compatible RAM in equal quantities across the channels works just fine in dual channel mode.

Good news for the budget-conscious incremental upgraders among us...

 

[PannaKO]

After reading through all the posts in this thread. Am I right in saying that Crucial's 'for Mac' RAM is the exact brand that Apple sells in their iMac's?

 

[SaSaSushi]

After reading through all the posts in this thread. Am I right in saying that Crucial's 'for Mac' RAM is the exact brand that Apple sells in their iMac's?

Apple uses several different makers depending on where and when the machines are constructed. The 2x4GB sticks that came with my new iMac are Hynix.

Although it will work fine, Crucial's "For iMac" RAM is not the same memory that Apple is installing.

 

[Brazilano]

You got me wondering about this, so I decided to test it. I used Geekbench 4 in tryout mode and analysed the overall scores, and the multi-core memory scores and data.

I compared three configs:

• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels - 4-0-4-0 (Stock RAM)
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels plus 1x8GB - 4-8-4-0 (Paired DIMMS)
  
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB in the same channel plus 1x8GB in the second channel - 4-4-8-0 (Equal Quantity)

Here's the results in table form:

And here they are as graphs:

So, I'm concluding that installing compatible RAM in equal quantities across the channels works just fine in dual channel mode.

Good news for the budget-conscious incremental upgraders among us...

So, if I bought 16gb (one ram) the best way is 4-4-16-0? Is it equal or better than 4-8-4-8?

 

[PannaKO]

Thanks for the info @SaSaSushi, I don't suppose you know where I could find this particular piece of information?
A site that publishes and/or updates the parts of an iMac?

 

[cal6n]

So, if I bought 16gb (one ram) the best way is 4-4-16-0? Is it equal or better than 4-8-4-8?

It won't work with 2x4GB and 1x16GB. You can do it but you'll be in single channel mode. For dual channel, the odd stick needs to be the same capacity as the total of the existing pair. Also, the speed, latency etc. need to match.

 

[macryan1]

You got me wondering about this, so I decided to test it. I used Geekbench 4 in tryout mode and analysed the overall scores, and the multi-core memory scores and data.

I compared three configs:

• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels - 4-0-4-0 (Stock RAM)
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB paired across channels plus 1x8GB - 4-8-4-0 (Paired DIMMS)
  
• The stock RAM that came with the iMac, 2x4GB in the same channel plus 1x8GB in the second channel - 4-4-8-0 (Equal Quantity)

Here's the results in table form:

And here they are as graphs:

So, I'm concluding that installing compatible RAM in equal quantities across the channels works just fine in dual channel mode.

Good news for the budget-conscious incremental upgraders among us...

Yes...and fascinating...I haven't seen these folks mentioned in this discussion yet.

https://www.datamemorysystems.com/dm50-328-1/

I plan on installing one 8gb chip with another one later on if needed.

Comments?

 

[Blazer5913]

Yes...and fascinating...I haven't seen these folks mentioned in this discussion yet.

https://www.datamemorysystems.com/dm50-328-1/

I plan on installing one 8gb chip with another one later on if needed.

Comments?

Anybody tried this RAM? Was browsing through the Crucial stuff but it's all out of stock and I'm trying to purchase the new iMac within the next few days and want the RAM ready whenever it comes (although its going to be BTO so at least 1 week). Anywhere else other than above site to buy the "approved" DDR4, 2400 ram with CL17 so it will play nicely with the included iMac RAM?

 

[SaSaSushi]

Thanks for the info @SaSaSushi, I don't suppose you know where I could find this particular piece of information?
A site that publishes and/or updates the parts of an iMac?

iFixit will sometimes provide the part numbers when they do their teardowns. At any rate, the same machine may ship with different RAM parts depending on where and when it is built.

Aside from buying from people who upgrade their Macs and sell their RAM used, you are not likely going to be able to get the exact modules that Apple is installing.

It doesn't matter though, good quality RAM at the specs mentioned above will work just fine, even in combination with the stock Apple RAM if you so choose.

 

[Ice Dragon]

Stupid question.

8 GB = 4-0-4-0?
16 GB = 8-0-8-0? or 4-4-4-4?
32 GB = 16-0-16-0? or 8-8-8-8?

 

[jeanlain]

Stupid question.

8 GB = 4-0-4-0?
16 GB = 8-0-8-0? or 4-4-4-4?
32 GB = 16-0-16-0? or 8-8-8-8?

It's dual channel, so having 4 slots populated won't particularly help performance. On the opposite, you'll have have to throw away modules if you do further upgrades.
Unless you refer to the slots that Apple populates when you configure your Mac. I highly suspect they use only two slots. I also suggest you purchase your iMac with 8GB RAM, unless you don't mind paying twice the price.

 

[PannaKO]

iFixit will sometimes provide the part numbers when they do their teardowns. At any rate, the same machine may ship with different RAM parts depending on where and when it is built.

Aside from buying from people who upgrade their Macs and sell their RAM used, you are not likely going to be able to get the exact modules that Apple is installing.

It doesn't matter though, good quality RAM at the specs mentioned above will work just fine, even in combination with the stock Apple RAM if you so choose.

Thanks again for the advice.

This will probably be the first time I buy 3rd party RAM for my Mac and I'm not experienced in that department,
so I wanted to get the best quality RAM or preferably the same brand(s) that Apple are using.

I'm looking at buying Hynix, but no luck so far. From what I gather in this thread, Crucial would be next best on the list(?) as I'm based in the UK and would rather not import from OWC.