Which slots to add additional RAM? - iMac Retina 5k 27-inch 2017

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itsrich Author

Level 1

8 points

Which slots to add additional RAM? - iMac Retina 5k 27-inch 2017

Can I add 2 additional 16GB RAM modules in the empty slots?

or

Should I replace the existing factory installed 4GB with the new 16GB and move the 4GB to the empty slots?

new additional modules: Crucial RAM 16GB DDR4 2400 MHz

Memory for Mac

Thanks!

8 GB RAM - Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400

BANK 0/DIMM1 - Empty

BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400

BANK 1/DIMM1 - Empty

Hardware Information:

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)

Status: Supported

iMac Model: iMac18,3

4.2 GHz Quad-Core

Intel Core i7 (i7-7700K) CPU: 4-core

Beachballing since Ventura upgrade. I hope this fixes it.

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.6

Posted on Mar 12, 2024 5:26 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

itsrich Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 12, 2024 1:57 PM in response to MartinR

Hi MartinR.

Thanks for your help.

I did what you suggested, adding RAM to the empty slots but that didn't work. I could hear and feel the iMac running but black screen. Original configuration was 4GB - empty - 4GB - empty. Installing the 16GB in the empty slots did not work.

I switched them around. 16GB - 4GB - 16GB - 4GB and that did the trick.

Still getting beachball especially when starting Safari.

I have 3.12TB Fusion Drive.

Used: 1.2 TB

Avail: 2.39 TB

So capacity is not an issue.

Beachballing seemed to start with the latest OS Ventura 13.6.5.

I'll let things simmer for a few days and see what happens.

If I still have issues I'll do a complete HD wipe, install fresh OS Ventura, then restore from TimeMachine.

Thanks!

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

24,996 points

Mar 12, 2024 6:32 AM in response to itsrich

Just add the new RAM to the empty slots. That's the way it should be done. All will be well.

As for the beachballing, while it may be reduced or solved by adding RAM, there could be other causes. Wait and see what happens after you add the new RAM.

That model came with a Fusion drive (part SSD + part HDD). How full is the drive? If it's over 80% full that could be a reason for the beachballing.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

216,196 points

Mar 12, 2024 4:41 PM in response to itsrich

Download and run Etrecheck. Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

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Which slots to add additional RAM? - iMac Retina 5k 27-inch 2017

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