RAM Upgrade - Mid 2010 iMac 21.5" : max. RAM

Question

RAM Upgrade - Mid 2010 iMac 21.5" : max. RAM

Hello,

I want simply know how much memory the Mid 2010 iMac 21.5 inch supports.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3918?viewlocale=en_US says max. 16 GB
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4255?viewlocale=en_US says max. 16 GB
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3011 says max. 16 GB

vs.

Apple Store (while configuring the iMac) says max. 8 GB
Apple Hotline says max. 8 GB

iMac Core i3 3.2 GHz (mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 22, 2010 5:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,727 points

Sep 22, 2010 7:04 AM in response to raymondvetter

Sorry, typo, above that should read that they have supported 16 GB.

You can mix the RAM. It is best if the two side by side slots have matching RAM. You could put in 12 GB (2 x 2 GB + 2 x 4 GB)

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Answer 2

Sep 22, 2010 11:29 AM in response to Dah•veed

Thanks again for the fast help.
2 x 2 GB + 2 x 4 GB works perfectly in my iMac Mid 2010 21.5 inch.

I also told my experience the Apple hotline.

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Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,727 points

Sep 22, 2010 5:45 AM in response to raymondvetter

The correct answer is 16; there are 4 RAM slots and each can support a 4 GB module. Those modules are a bit expensive, so it would be expensive to max it out right now. Since the Late 2009 models, the 21.5" and 27" iMacs have supported 15 GB of RAM.

Dah•veed

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2010 5:19 PM in response to raymondvetter

I must remove the two 2 gigabyte modules which was original installed. It wasn't compatible with the new 4 gigabyte modules. Some crashes in games under Windows 7. Memtest shows some error. With 2 x 4 gigabyte no problem.
I assume that it is related to different chip manufacturer (hynix preinstalled, elixir new RAM modules).

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Answer 5

Sep 22, 2010 6:14 AM in response to Dah•veed

Thanks for your reply. Why does Apple Store and Hotline has outdated information?
Does anybody has plug in more than 8 GB of RAM in 21.5 inch model?

The Apple Hotline say that only same size of RAM can work in iMacs:
4 x 2 GB, (if its really works) 4 x 4 GB.
It should not be possible to mix it (e.g.):
2 x 2 GB + 2 x 4 GB
It is right?

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