Will RAM work in non-matching pairs?

[Michael CM1]

I may have asked that wrong, so here's what I mean.

I have a mid-2010 iMac that came with 4GB of memory -- two 2GB chips. After doing a scan using Crucial's scanner, I found out that this thing has FOUR slots for RAM, not two as I thought.

Each slot can hold up to a 4GB chip. So my thought was instead of my previous plan of upgrading to 8GB for $45, I could leave the other two in and have 12GB. But I know in the past, mostly back in my PC days, that computers would sometimes really get pissed at you if you mixed memory chips like that. I'm less inclined to think that since it would be pairs and Macs seem to be infinitely smarter at this than PCs, but I just don't know.

So I would appreciate some advice on this. I've got some stuff I run that creates a "Web Process" that eats up memory like Pac-Man eats dots. Thanks!

 

[GGJstudios]

So I would appreciate some advice on this. I've got some stuff I run that creates a "Web Process" that eats up memory like Pac-Man eats dots. Thanks!

Yes, it will work if you don't have matching pairs.

• Apple does not manufacture RAM and charges more than you would pay with other reputable RAM providers.
• Some great sources for Mac-compatible RAM are OWC, Crucial and newegg.com.
• Installation of user-installable parts such as RAM does not void the Apple Warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan, unless you damage something in the process.
  
  
• MR Guide to Buying RAM
• MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM
• MR Guide to Matched RAM on Intel Macs
  
  
• MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory
• MacBook: How to remove or install memory
• iMac: How to remove or install memory
• Mac mini: How to remove or install memory

 

[philipma1957]

yeah you can mix and match size.

If you have enough skills to pull one stick out it should be a samsung, a hynix or a micron(crucial)


I would match the builder If I were you.


http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D3-13S4GS samsung chips


http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=W1333SB4GH hynix chips


http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=W1333SB4GM micron chips



use HOP2IT FOR A 10 % discount

 

[Bear]

...
Each slot can hold up to a 4GB chip. So my thought was instead of my previous plan of upgrading to 8GB for $45, I could leave the other two in and have 12GB. But I know in the past, mostly back in my PC days, that computers would sometimes really get pissed at you if you mixed memory chips like that. I'm less inclined to think that since it would be pairs and Macs seem to be infinitely smarter at this than PCs, but I just don't know.
...

12 GB as you described will work fine. Just put the new memory in the 2 empty slots.

 

[Michael CM1]

Yes, it will work if you don't have matching pairs.

• Apple does not manufacture RAM and charges more than you would pay with other reputable RAM providers.
• Some great sources for Mac-compatible RAM are OWC, Crucial and newegg.com.
• Installation of user-installable parts such as RAM does not void the Apple Warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan, unless you damage something in the process.
  
  
• MR Guide to Buying RAM
• MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM
• MR Guide to Matched RAM on Intel Macs
  
  
• MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory
• MacBook: How to remove or install memory
• iMac: How to remove or install memory
• Mac mini: How to remove or install memory

Thanks a bunch for the links! Looks like I'm golden once I can find $45 to give Crucial. I've got about 15 tabs open, iTunes must always be open (Apple TV), and that's all I have open now. My RAM is 3/4 used. All hell would break loose if I opened Photoshop!

 

[leman]

Modern Macs use the same hardware as the PCs. As to your question: it might work or it might not. It seems to work for most people, it didn't work for me with corsair ram (I experinced random crashes which stopped after I have removed the original Samsung ram installed by apple). You will have to try it out.