Adding Ram to 2020 27 inch 5K IMac with AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT 16 GB

I purchased two OWC 16GB 2666 Mhz cards and installed them in slots 2 and 4 leaving the two 4GB Apple cards in slots 1 and 3 in my 2020 27 inch 5K IMac. The computer is running fine although the fan is now clearly audible when it cuts in whereas I had never heard it before. However, my Mac now shows the memory as 2133 Mhz whereas it was showing 2667 prior to the new cards being added. I have since heard that this drop in speed can be rectified by moving the Apple Card from slot 3 to slot 2 and putting the new cards in slots 3 and 4. The only problem with that or so I have heard is that with that configuration it would not be running as dual core. So, if this is correct, would it be better to have 40 GB Ram dual core with 2133 Mhz or single core with 2666Mhz?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Nov 22, 2020 11:25 AM

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Nov 22, 2020 11:43 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Hi Gary


Thanks for your very helpful reply and sorry for any confusion I may have caused regarding where the pre installed RAM is fitted.

Also, I stated dual core but I should have stated 8 Core. I will try the configuration you suggested but do you know whether it will affect the core as I have read on another forum that changing the configuration on the 2020 IMacs ( unlike earlier models) reduces the cores you run on and how can you tell how many cores are in use?


Regards

jazznut1




Nov 23, 2020 9:32 AM in response to jazznut1

I think you are referring to "Dual Channel" memory and not dual core processors.


As long as you purchase the exact RAM modules as specified by OWC and you fit the existing RAM in slots 1 & 2, then fit the new RAM in slots 3 & 4 you will be OK. It is OWC who provides those additional instructions for which channel to use and I go by there advice 100% as they make the appropriate RAM and guarantee its use with Mac.



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Adding Ram to 2020 27 inch 5K IMac with AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT 16 GB

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