What's the max amount of RAM an iMac can have to run BootCamp & Parallels Windows 7?

[doxavita]

I'm thinking of upgrading my 2011 27" iMac's RAM from the stock 4GB up to 12GB. But I also plan on installing and running Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) through Boot Camp and also Parallels.

What's the max amount of RAM I can have installed in that case? Will Windows 7 recognize the 12GB installed without a problem?

 

[Hellhammer]

As long as you install the 64-bit version of Windows, it can utilize all of your RAM. 2011 iMac can take up to 32GB (4x8GB) though 12GB should be plenty.

 

[secretanchitman]

it'll recognize all 12GB.

on a side note, my 4x4GB (16GB) is on its way and should be here today!

 

[doxavita]

I recall reading 16GB was the limit for windows 7, but that source could well have been wrong.

I most likely will run windows 7 64-bit, so 12GB should be fine then.
What is the RAM limit for 32-bit windows 7?

 

[Hellhammer]

I recall reading 16GB was the limit for windows 7, but that source could well have been wrong.

I most likely will run windows 7 64-bit, so 12GB should be fine then.
What is the RAM limit for 32-bit windows 7?

Apparently Home Premium has 16GB RAM limit: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

8GB modules are so expensive though so don't worry about 16GB being a bottleneck. 12GB will work fine.

 

[doxavita]

And Boot Camp can install Windows 7 64-bit without a problem, right? (which I'll then link to Parallels like I mentioned)

Also, does it matter if I first install Windows 7 and then the RAM, or the other way around works too?, or it doesn't really matter?

 

[NutsNGum]

And Boot Camp can install Windows 7 64-bit without a problem, right? (which I'll then link to Parallels like I mentioned)

Also, does it matter if I first install Windows 7 and then the RAM, or the other way around works too?, or it doesn't really matter?

It can indeed, I'm running the very same setup.

Windows 7 professional with parallels 6, running apps in Coherence mode on the OSX desktop.

Works fine with 4 gigs of RAM and I just got 8 extra gigs today, so I'm sure it'll fly after I insert this.

 

[Hellhammer]

Also, does it matter if I first install Windows 7 and then the RAM, or the other way around works too?, or it doesn't really matter?

Doesn't matter. W7 should utilize the RAM immediately. You may want to check Parallels' settings though to make sure the RAM allocation is what you want.

 

[doxavita]

And for using the iMac's complete power when gaming, Boot Camp is still the better option than Parallels 6?

 

[smoge]

As long as you install the 64-bit version of Windows, it can utilize all of your RAM. 2011 iMac can take up to 32GB (4x8GB) though 12GB should be plenty.

iMac only supports up to 16gb on apple webpage up to 4gb SO-DIMM in each slot

 

[Dresevski]

iMac only supports up to 16gb on apple webpage up to 4gb SO-DIMM in each slot

It can support 1600MHz RAM unlike what the website says...

 

[Hellhammer]

And for using the iMac's complete power when gaming, Boot Camp is still the better option than Parallels 6?

Definitely. Virtualization is horrible for gaming.

 

[Sjhonny]

And for using the iMac's complete power when gaming, Boot Camp is still the better option than Parallels 6?

You could look out for cider ports. Not always released by the developers, but they offer nearly the same performance as there windows counterpart.