How to perform a memory test

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Level 1

11 points

How to perform a memory test

I have an iMac 2020 and it started crashing/restarting about once a day since I put new RAM in on Sunday. I The system log doesn't indicate anything software related, so I suspect its the new RAM. I ran the apple diagnostics by rebooting while holding down the D key and the test was finished in about two minutes. There's no way that a memory test can finish that quickly for 40GB of ram.

Is there a more in depth memory test available for Big Sur?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 4:30 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,546 points

Sep 21, 2021 4:55 PM in response to JabrTheHut

iMacs are EXTREMELY sensitive to using quality RAM. Most experienced users only use either Crucial.com or Macsales.com RAM. If you bought any other RAM (even from a reseller) please return it and buy direct from one of those 2 vendors. The issue is likely one of these 3 issues:

Incorrect RAM (handled by buying from crucial or Macsales.)
Unseated RAM (push the RAM in firmly until it clicks into place)
Failed RAM (remove the upgraded DIMMs one at a time, boot up and test until you find the failed DIMM)

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

216,178 points

Sep 21, 2021 4:53 PM in response to JabrTheHut

Where did you get the 3rd party RAM? If it wasn't from Crucial.com pull it out and run with just the original Apple modules installed. If that fixes the problem then return the RAM modules to where you purchased and replace them with modules from Crucial.

Normally modules from OWC (MacSales.com) are also recommended but they had problems with the 2020 27" iMac modules so don't get them from there.

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How to perform a memory test

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