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Level 1

19 points

New 27" 2010 iMac i7 Memory Issues

I know that numerous people have been experiencing issues with upgrading to 16gb of ram in the new 27" i7's. For some reason, when you have 4 modules installed weird things start to happen. Freezes and random shut downs are the main issues. If you remove two of the modules everything goes back to normal. Here are two threads that talk about it as well.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2567907&tstart=15
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2576477&tstart=75

I went through 3 different 16gb kits from OWC and all three ended up making my mac randomly shut down for now reason. Total loss of power. If I put the 4gb apple memory back in everything works fine.

Here is a link to the OWC memory - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1333DDR3S16S/

Here is a link to the Crucial memory -
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=769226C4A5CA7304

Both Crucial and OWC meet all specifications for Apple. I just installed 16gb of Crucial memory today, it came as two 8gb kits. I'm hoping it works but that would defy logic, there is no way that 3 sets of OWC memory were bad. I will keep you posted. It normally takes a good 24-48 hours for the issue to present itself, at least on my machine.

And please post if you are having the same issue, any information will help. Hopefully we can get this resolved.

Thanks

Message was edited by: labeck

iMac 27" Core i7 - Mid 2010 - 16gb Ram, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 21, 2010 12:37 PM

80 replies

Oct 5, 2010 12:34 AM in response to tsumuji

Put less ram into your iMac like 8, 12 or even 14 gigs. See manual how to do that. That at least should make your iMac workable . If it does not, than you have another problem as well and should contact your Apple dealer or Apple Care asap.

peterwillem

Oct 5, 2010 12:36 AM in response to tsumuji

Oct 6, 2010 9:42 AM in response to OrangeKid

This is a follow up post to my three earlier posts. My iMac has now run 24/7 for two weeks since upgrading my memory to 16 GB. I have had no memory or other problems with my new mid-2010 iMac i7. So at least some iMacs run fine with 16 GB of memory installed.

Oct 6, 2010 11:37 AM in response to OrangeKid

So if I have read your posts correctly all the 16 G of ram consists of Apple ram?
Well I have read some other posts which came to the same conclusion.
16 gig ram in the mid 2010 works only with Apple ram, or ram closely related to apple ram.

peterwillem

Oct 6, 2010 8:01 PM in response to peterwillem

Yes, all 4 GB modules are Apple OEM ram. Two 4 GB modules were installed by Apple when I ordered the computer with 8 GB of ram and two additional 4 GB modules purchased from MacRamDirect which I installed. MacRamDirect is a memory supplier to Apple according to their web site.

kebnt

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 9:38 AM in response to OrangeKid

Probably a stupid question, but is there any difference between the Samsung Factory Original RAM sold at OWC (~$113 for 4gb) and MAC Ram Direct (~$170 for 4gb or $330 for 2x4gb)?

Oct 7, 2010 9:55 AM in response to kebnt

I do not know.

normal1

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 3:32 PM in response to peterwillem

I had a major problem with my new imac which turned out to be memory related. I had bought 16GB of RAM from a third party and removed the Apple factory installed memory. I then installed the new memory and started to have random shutdowns, and quite a heat build up at the top of my iMac.
I eventually went back to the Apple memory - 8GB, and had no problem with shutdowns.
The company who sold me the RAM offered an exchange for the RAM which Apple uses - Samsung Hynix Ram modules. I installed them - 16GB ( 4 x 4 GB modules ), and have had no random shutdowns in the past week. The heat build up has also gone.
The company who sold me the RAM were quite surprised that the first RAM did not function correctly in my iMac as it met exactly the same spec's as the Samsung RAM they replaced it with. In future I'm going to be careful about the brand and type of RAM I install in my Mac.

Oct 7, 2010 3:45 PM in response to normal1

You were lucky, the company where I bought my 16 G ram (OWC) only offered so far an exchange to the same ram. And I have my doubts that the new ram will solve the problem, even though the said that all their ram is tested in iMacs.
Besides there is an expensive transport and customs issue of sending the ram to and back the USA from Holland. All those costs are for me.

peterwillem

Message was edited by: peterwillem

tsumuji

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 6:46 PM in response to peterwillem

Peter speak softly to OWC.They can give you a refund if you ask for an RMA # ( return merchandise Authorization. They have been very kind and easy to deal with for me. I am also out of the US and have to ship back but I knew that when I bought from them. You could have purchased in Holland. It is just what it takes when you purchase from far away.
I am sending back mine today and getting Samsung ram as the posts above suggest.

Oct 8, 2010 1:38 AM in response to tsumuji

When I needed the 16 G ram the only option for buying the right matched ram was in the USA. OWC, Crucial etc.
I did not realize at the time that the casts of RMA (transport,customs) where so high. And I could not know that OWC was sending me ram that caused all these problems. They claim that all the OWC ram was tested, but how come that everyone , according to the threads, are having problems with 16 g OWC ram?
In Holland the only option was the very expensive apple ram. Of course if I had known everything before hand........,well that is often the case.
Several days ago I asked for the RMA 'd ram to be Samsung, so far no message from them.

peterwillem

peterwillem

Message was edited by: peterwillem

august77

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2010 11:11 PM in response to peterwillem

IMHO.. I would rather stick to Samsung memory, when getting rams for the iMac.. Since, it has already been stated there, that they are Factory Original.

So far.. after leaving the iMac on for more than 24hrs, the system is still running fine.

Oct 9, 2010 2:56 AM in response to august77

Well august 77 I am not sure anymore. Read AtkinstoreFront post about this. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2560826&start=25&tstart=0

It says there somewhere that his iMac with original 16 G apple ram is having the same problems.

peterwillem

august77

Level 1

0 points

Oct 12, 2010 12:42 AM in response to peterwillem

Hmmm.. never encountered such problem.

I even did some memory intensive work on the iMac (Opening up Photoshop, Illustrator, Vuze, FInder and even Safari) and it seems fine.

Try doing a Hardware Test..

Oct 12, 2010 7:33 AM in response to labeck

I have one of the new i7 iMacs and have been following this thread. I bought it with 4GB and was going to get the OWC ram but held off after seeing this discussion. I decided to go for the Samsung Factory ram that OWC sells and installed it last night. So far no problems, but I'll keep everyone posted.

New 27" 2010 iMac i7 Memory Issues