Upgrading RAM on iMac

[ianbee]

I just got an imac with 8gb of ram and am going to order more ram for it. I'd like to save a bit of money and just order 16gb of ram (instead of 32gb) and add the ram in the slots giving me a total of 24gb of ram. Is this even possible though? Can custom ram work with mac ram? What do you suggest?

[Craig F]

depends on the iMac, some of the new ones are not upgradable
(Apple has so turned into Big Brother)

if you have a iMac that the RAM is not soldered in then you can add RAM
I would recommend only getting quality RAM (should have a lifetime warranty)
I like Crucial myself http://www.crucial.com/?gclid=CI-MkZ...130404212729:s

check at OWC they know what can go into what

[boxedin]

You've got to check your manual to see what you can upgrade to. I have a 2012 iMac, 3.1GHZ Intel Core i5 and the maximum I could install was 16GB. Look on YouTube for videos on how to do it. It was very easy.

[rogerhavoc]

Totally possible. I just got a 27-inch, Late 2012 iMac and I ordered it with 8 GB of ram. Went to FRYS the same day and got 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 of ram. Super easy to install!

Good luck,

Roger

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by rogerhavoc

Totally possible. I just got a 27-inch, Late 2012 iMac and I ordered it with 8 GB of ram. Went to FRYS the same day and got 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 of ram. Super easy to install!

Good luck,

Roger

I think the 27" is the only one with easily user upgradeable ram via the door in the bottom of the unit just like the older iMacs. The ram in the 21.5" is soldered in.

[John_Toolbox]

Correct, and it's only the very latest generation of "thin" 21.5" imacs that have the soldered RAM. Earlier versions of the intel-base imac just need a small phillips screwdriver to access the RAM.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by John_Toolbox

Correct, and it's only the very latest generation of "thin" 21.5" imacs that have the soldered RAM. Earlier versions of the intel-base imac just need a small phillips screwdriver to access the RAM.

Yep. Apple messed up big time with the 21.5" iMac this time around. Glad I got my refurb 27"

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by John_Toolbox

Correct, and it's only the very latest generation of "thin" 21.5" imacs that have the soldered RAM. Earlier versions of the intel-base imac just need a small phillips screwdriver to access the RAM.

+1 and accurate. My 21.5" i5 iMac (late 2011) has upgradable RAM.