sabarooni

Q: Adding New RAM to 27" iMac Mid 2011

Hi,

 

My iMac is running very slow. I have 4GB internal RAM and need to upgrade. I am not sure (without opening things up) if the 4GB RAM is in 2 x 2GB or just the single 4GB card.

 

Can I add 2 x 8GB to the existing RAM to give me a total of 20GB? Or can I add 2 x 4GB to the existing RAM to end up with 12GB.

I am suing my mac to run photoshop CC, illustrator and indesign (usually all open at the same time).

 

What anti static precautions should I take?

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jun 8, 2016 6:10 PM

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Q: Adding New RAM to 27" iMac Mid 2011

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  • by macjack,Apple recommended

    macjack macjack Jun 8, 2016 6:23 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 6:23 PM in response to sabarooni

    You can check  for yourself with the advisory tool in Crucial, or OWC. They are both reliable vendors. You could use an anti-static strap but that would be overdoing, IMO. I never have. It's really easy on an iMac.

    Install memory in an iMac - Apple Support

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jun 8, 2016 7:11 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 8 (49,100 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 8, 2016 7:11 PM in response to sabarooni

    You probably have 2 x 2 GB in your 2011 iMac but it's easy enough to determine for yourself.  (Apple menu) > About This Mac > Memory.

     

    Memory Upgrade Instructions appears in that window. Select it.

  • by sabarooni,

    sabarooni sabarooni Jun 9, 2016 5:26 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 9, 2016 5:26 AM in response to John Galt

    Thank, I just checked and I have 2 x 2GB.

     

    The question now is can I add 2 more 8GB cards to give me a total of 20GB?

    Would this be ok and fine to run the adobe software I've mentioned?

    I am a graphic designer so have large raster print files I work with. At the moment my 16BG macbook works perfect for me, just have major issues with my iMac running very slow.

  • by pokey b,

    pokey b pokey b Jun 9, 2016 6:50 AM in response to sabarooni
    Level 3 (582 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 9, 2016 6:50 AM in response to sabarooni

    Hello, Additional RAM may help you speed issue somewhat, particularly repetitive software procedures (like opening and exiting programs). Many users here feel that the current OS runs best on a minimum of 8 GB of RAM. I have added 8 GB to the existing original 4 GB of RAM in my mid-2010, 21.5 inch i-Mac and have noticed improvements in speed. You can mix and match different DIMM sizes although it is recommended that they be added in pairs and that they are installed side-by-side as in the image below.

     

    Ram Installed.png

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jun 9, 2016 7:36 AM in response to sabarooni
    Level 8 (49,100 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 9, 2016 7:36 AM in response to sabarooni

    sabarooni wrote:

     

    The question now is can I add 2 more 8GB cards to give me a total of 20GB?

     

    Apple does not indicate specific support for that particular configuration, nor have I personally tried it, so I cannot guarantee it will work. There is no harm in trying though. It won't damage your Mac, however, you will need to forever remain vigilant regarding unexpected results. In other words if a random crash occurs your first suspicion would be a nonstandard, unsupported configuration, and the proper action in that case would be to return to a supported configuration and determine if the crashes subside. If so, that would support concluding an unsupported configuration was the cause.

     

    The following Apple Support document is relevant: Install memory in an iMac - Apple Support

  • by sabarooni,

    sabarooni sabarooni Jun 9, 2016 12:05 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 9, 2016 12:05 PM in response to John Galt

    What are the standard configurations? I would like to have a total of 16GB

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jun 9, 2016 2:17 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 8 (49,100 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 9, 2016 2:17 PM in response to sabarooni

    Four 4 GB modules (16 GB total) is an undeniably supported configuration. Having said that, I have had four 8 GB modules (32 GB total) installed on that exact model iMac without any apparent problems... meaning no crashes, etc.

     

    Other configurations are possible, as long as you are aware of the fact the only supported configurations are explained in the Apple Support document I linked earlier.

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Jun 9, 2016 2:22 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Jun 9, 2016 2:22 PM in response to sabarooni

    Download Mactracker which will tell you the maximum amt of RAM your model iMac can handle.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ezgif.com-resize.gif

  • by sabarooni,Helpful

    sabarooni sabarooni Jun 17, 2016 10:20 AM in response to sabarooni
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 17, 2016 10:20 AM in response to sabarooni

    My last question would be, if I want to upgrade to 16GB total RAM, which option is better; 2x8GB ram cards or 4x4GB ram cards?

     

    The 4x4GB are far more expensive than buying a 2x8GB pack so what I want to know is that is there a difference?

  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 17, 2016 10:20 AM in response to sabarooni
    Level 10 (141,095 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2016 10:20 AM in response to sabarooni

    TH.png

    Before you purchase additional RAM it would be wise if you confirmed that there were no other reasons for slow performance on your Mac.

     

    Also download and run Etrecheck.  Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here (and recommended by Apple Support personnel) in the ASC to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

    OTsig.png

  • by sabarooni,

    sabarooni sabarooni Jun 20, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 20, 2016 9:02 AM in response to Old Toad

    Hi, thanks for your help, these are the results I got:

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.9.12 (265)

    Report generated 2016-06-20 17:01:04

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 5:31

    Performance: Below Average

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Computer is too slow

     

    Hardware Information:

        iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac12,2

        1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

        4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 0/DIMM1

                Empty  

            BANK 1/DIMM1

                Empty  

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information:

        AMD Radeon HD 6770M - VRAM: 512 MB

            iMac 2560 x 1440

     

    System Software:

        OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 (14D136) - Time since boot: less than an hour

     

    Disk Information:

        ST31000528AS disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (846.49 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

     

        OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5690H   ()

     

    USB Information:

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

     

    Thunderbolt Information:

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Gatekeeper:

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions:

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.wacom.kext.wacomtablet (Wacom Tablet 6.3.9-3 - SDK 10.9 - 2015-12-13) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    5 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    147 Apple tasks

        [running]    59 Apple tasks

     

    System Launch Daemons:

        [not loaded]    48 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    138 Apple tasks

        [running]    77 Apple tasks

     

    Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-04-20) [Support]

        [failed]    com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a...plist (2016-06-08) [Support]

        [running]    com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist (2016-02-15) [Support]

        [running]    com.wacom.wacomtablet.plist (2014-09-09) [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2016-06-08) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2016-06-08) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2012-06-14) [Support]

        [running]    com.adobe.adobeupdatedaemon.plist (2016-04-20) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.agsservice.plist (2015-09-28) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-05-09) [Support]

        [running]    com.freemacsoft.appcleanerdaemon.plist (2008-08-19) [Support]

        [loaded]    jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller.plist (2015-04-18) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2012-06-15) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2013-09-10) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.apple.FolderActions.folders.plist

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-30) [Support]

        [not loaded]    jp.co.canon.Inkjet_Extended_Survey_Agent.plist (2012-12-04) [Support]

     

    User Login Items:

        Creative Cloud    Application  (/Applications/Utilities/Adobe Creative Cloud/ACC/Creative Cloud.app)

     

    Other Apps:

        [running]    com.adobe.CCXProcess.127832

        [running]    com.adobe.acc.AdobeDesktopService.62796.9B3CC3F6-37C5-4C97-B202-302DD5432A00

        [running]    com.adobe.accmac.125560

        [running]    com.wacom.TabletDriver.73588

        [running]    com.wacom.WacomTouchDriver.73304

        [loaded]    373 Apple tasks

        [running]    162 Apple tasks

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        AdobeAAMDetect: 3.0.0.0 - SDK 10.9 (2016-04-20) [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.242 - SDK 10.6 (2016-06-09) [Support]

        EPPEX Plugin: 10.0 (2013-10-18) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-18) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: 15.010.20056 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-18) [Support]

        Flash Player: 21.0.0.242 - SDK 10.6 (2016-06-09) Outdated! Update

        Default Browser: 600 - SDK 10.10 (2015-06-11)

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2015-06-11)

        WacomTabletPlugin: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.6 - SDK 10.9 (2014-09-09) [Support]

        JavaAppletPlugin: 15.0.0 - SDK 10.10 (2012-06-15) Check version

     

    Safari Extensions:

        AdBlock - Michael Gundlach - http://safariadblock.com (2015-01-25)

        GMail Counter - Elia Cereda - http://elix14.altervista.org/ (2012-08-08)

        ClickToFlash - Marc Hoyois - http://hoyois.github.com/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/ (2015-01-22)

        1-ClickWeather - TWCi - http://www.weather.com/ (2012-08-08)

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        Flash Player (2016-05-09) [Support]

        FUSE for OS X (OSXFUSE) (2012-09-13) [Support]

        WacomTablet (2014-10-17) [Support]

     

    Time Machine:

        Time Machine not configured!

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

           125%    Google Chrome Helper(23)

            90%    AdobeGCClient

            10%    WindowServer

             8%    Google Chrome

             7%    kernel_task

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        1.94 GB    Google Chrome Helper(23)

        400 MB    kernel_task

        184 MB    spindump

        156 MB    Google Chrome

        115 MB    mdworker(9)

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        26 MB    Free RAM

        3.97 GB    Used RAM (739 MB Cached)

        2 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information:

        Jun 20, 2016, 04:48:24 PM    Self test - passed

     

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Jun 20, 2016 1:33 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 10 (141,095 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 1:33 PM in response to sabarooni

    There are not obvious culprits that compromise system performance.  It appears that added memory is the path to take. 

     

    I have the same model iMac as you and run PS C3 with 8 GB of memory.  I don't do any high powered editing or run complex actions. 

     

    You could increase the memory to 12 GB with two 4 GB modules or 20 GB with two 8 GB modules.  You'll need too decide which would be adequate for the type of work you plan to do.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jun 20, 2016 1:44 PM in response to sabarooni
    Level 8 (49,100 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 1:44 PM in response to sabarooni

    It's very easy to determine if a Mac's performance is being limited by available RAM by using Activity Monitor. To learn how to do that please read Use Activity Monitor on your Mac - Apple Support.

     

    If Activity Monitor's "Memory Pressure" graph is "red" then your Mac is starved for memory and is relying upon slow virtual memory. If it isn't, then it's not, and installing more RAM would convey no benefit.

  • by pokey b,

    pokey b pokey b Jun 20, 2016 2:09 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 3 (582 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 20, 2016 2:09 PM in response to John Galt

    The Etrecheck report shows 2 MB of swap memory used at the time of the report (without a lot of applications running), is that not what you are referring to?

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