which crucial RAM for a new iMac 27" 3.6 Intel Core i5? 1st time buyer

Hi Tim

Yes, you will have to pull the factory 2x2GB and install 4x4GB modules to get the full 16GB.

You will need 2 8GB kits from Crucial.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=B2B341BAA5CA7304

Or the 16GB kit from OWC.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1333DDR3S16S/

However you could start off by only adding 1 8GB kit to the existing 4GB and run with 12GB, then add the second 8GB kit later if you come up short with 12GB.

Dennis

If you want to expand to 12 GB then you buy 2 of the modules you have shown, add those to the 4GB that comes with the machine and that's that. If you want to take the machine to 16GB then purchase 4 of the modules, remove the two that came with the machine and install all of the new ones. However unless you are going to be doing some very serious computing 16GB is probably over kill. For most folks 8GB or 12GB is fine. The advantage to adding all that RAM is you can have some multiple apps open and still have very good performance.

What you need to look at is your existing and planned computing habits. For example if you plan on running Final Cut Pro, Excel, Mail, iCal and Parallels running Windows 7 simultaneously then 16GB is the right way to go. If you are someone like me that has Safari, Mail, iCal and maybe a Numbers spreadsheet open 8GB would be totally fine.

If you don't have to have Crucial I'd also recommend OWC .


Roger

Do you think it would be worthwhile to sell the 4 GB of RAM that comes with the iMac to decrease the cost buying the 3rd party RAM?

That depends on what you plan to upgrade to, if you are going take it all the way to 16GB I'd probably hold onto the old RAM for few weeks just to ensure everything is safe and sound but don't expect to get much for it. If you buy the RAM from OWC they will give you a trade in value for it and that's something to investigate.

Will adding this new RAM void apple care warrantees?

Of course not, you can download a copy of the manual from the Support site and also get a copy of the warranty. In the manual it will have detailed instructions on how to upgrade RAM, Apple wouldn't put that in there if upgrading RAM would impair the warranty. In the warranty it clearly says if any damage is done that would void the warranty. About the only way you do damage is to pour coffee on the RAM slots while you're upgrading or hammering them in with a ball peen. 🙂

Your welcome, Tim!

I never had to reinstall my factory RAM, but I like to keep it just in case I ever need it for troubleshooting.

Have a sneak peek at the User's Guide and Installing Memory section starting on page #37
http://support.apple.com/manuals/

I'm with Dennis on this - I always keep my RAM just in case; it's handy for testing and, if it ever has to go in for a repair, I'd put the original RAM back in so nothing can be blamed on third party RAM, putting the new RAM back in when I get it back.

You're welcome; I read about this some time back in one of these forums and thought it made a lot of sense.