When to add RAM?

[1972]

I have seen that quite a few people on this site have pre-ordered RAM to add to their new imacs when they arrive. Will you guys add the RAM before you start up the first time or will you check things out with the stock RAM to make sure everything works like it should? Then add the RAM? Just curious.

 

[photoz]

boot, check, shutdown, add, reboot.

 

[DDaddyx2]

I'll add the RAM before I boot it up the first time.

 

[zemzabob]

I'll probably check it out first, then install.

 

[iohass]

I'll get more ram when I feel that 8gb is not sufficient enough

 

[photoz]

I'll get more ram when I feel that 8gb is not sufficient enough

This will happen the first time you open Photoshop ;-)

 

[rainbowsofwhite]

First turn on with factory installed ram and let it run.
Turn off and install additional ram.

 

[iMikeT]

boot, check, shutdown, add, reboot.

What he said.

People who know they will be adding RAM to their iMac ahead of time typically go through this process.

I did exactly this when I got my iMac last year. I knew I'd be maxing out my iMac to 16GB (the most I could affordable to buy at the time because 32GB was too expensive) so I bought the RAM a day or two before my iMac arrived then added it after the initial boot.

 

[iohass]

This will happen the first time you open Photoshop ;-)

my 2gb windows laptop seems to run photoshop fine..granted it's CS1 lol

 

[Razorhog]

I was planning on adding the ram before the first boot. Now I might wait. Don't really know why though...

 

[joesegh]

I'm going to wait a bit, perhaps a year. That way the RAM price will probably be a bit lower, and I'll notice more of a difference.

 

[FreemanW]

I dunno . . .

I have to believe that part of the assembly process includes a hardware assembly check and that part of that would include powering up the completed unit before the QC portion is signed off.

Prior to viewing this thread, my plan was to remove my iMac from the packaging, ogle it for a period of time, open the memory access panel, install my 32GB, close it up, plug it in, sit down, and quietly have my magic moment of orgasmic bliss.

I may just stay with that plan.

 

[Dweez]

I'll get more ram when I feel that 8gb is not sufficient enough

This is (IMNSHO) the best path to follow.

 

[Zwhaler]

I'll add the RAM before I boot it up the first time.

I also add before booting up for the first time. When I did this on my Mac Pro it wouldn't boot and realized I had bought RAM that was incompatible. Didn't affect the machine at all.

 

[lucasfunkt]

I'll have the iMac for a week or two and then when I have the money buy 32GB of shiny new RAM from the good folks at crucial.