iMac 24 Maximum Memory??

According to OWC, it can actually handle up to 6Gb - http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac

The core 2 duo processor in your iMac is a 64-bit cpu. Even the 32-bit kernel version of OS X has long supported 64-bit memory addressing for apps (that is, the 32-bit kernel is limited to 4Gb useable space itself, but the system can allow 64-bit memory space for apps to run in).

Was this kingston RAM specifically listed as Apple compatible? Macs can be very demanding of having just the right CAS latency and other specs correct.

It's kingston, so you should be able to return it if it does not work (they've always had a good lifetime warranty). OWC empirically tests the setups they support on their web site, so if they say 6Gb will work and you buy their RAM they will fully support you if it has any issues.

My MBP originally was said to only run 4Gb max. but it's been happily running 8Gb for quite awhile now.

The part number you listed starts with KVR which indicates Kingston Value Ram; there have been several reports with problems with that type of RAM. As Michael said, iMacs are very particular about RAM and it is best to avoid all "value" RAM. I'd return that and buy it at the link Michael provided.

Also, could you confirm that your model ID is 7,1 please.

iMac39,

In addition to babowa's wise comments you purchased the wrong specification RAM. The late 2007 iMac's use PC5300 DDR2 667MHz 200 Pin. I would STRONGLY recommend returning the RAM and repurchasing from OWC. The URL to 6GB of RAM is:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S6GP/

the 4GB kit is:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S4GB/

Good luck!

I hadn't touched on the RAM specs issue because I want to make sure it's a 7,1; sometimes people use the date purchased as an indicator - for instance, a lot of people say they have a late 2010 or 2011: there is no such thing; they were called mid 2010 and 2011.

babowa wrote:

I hadn't touched on the RAM specs issue because I want to make sure it's a 7,1; sometimes people use the date purchased as an indicator - for instance, a lot of people say they have a late 2010 or 2011: there is no such thing; they were called mid 2010 and 2011.

Yup I know, you took the cautious route I took the devil may care route. 🙂

As already mentioned, the Kingston value line can be problematic with Apple machines - kind of hit or miss. Apple's systems are just generally not forgiving of much of anything out of spec in terms of latency or timing in modules.

If you go to http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/system_specific/desktop_notebook and look up your system, you will not find them suggesting any of their value line modules - they will list KTA- part numbers which are their higher end modules that they actually guarantee meet or exceed Apple's specs.

I would return it. As I said, you should have no problem as Kingston has always been excellent about their lifetime warranty, and just tell them it is not working in your iMac. The only companies I will buy RAM from are OWC, Crucial or Kingston (and always direct from those latter two's web sites) as they really do stand by their products and guarantees (Crucial and Kingston actually make RAM chips too, OWC contracts for theirs but use quality modules that they themselves test to work, usually using actial RAM chips from Crucial, Kingston or often Samsung, wich is a common OEM RAM supplier in Apple machines).

For the price, I'd go for the 6Gb from OWC - you take a minor performance hit by having to use a mixed set (2Gb and a 4Gb) but it is hardly anything you would even be able to notice in normal daily use.

I'd go with 4 GB or the recommended 6 GB from OWC - better yet, chat live with them and ask if there is a noticeable difference between 4 GB vs. the 6 GB (matching modules vs. a 4 + 2 mix). Since they're the ones who've tested this, they should have the answers and of course will work with you.

Here is the info for your model - and yes, it's 6 GB max:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac-core-2-duo-2.4-24-inch-alu minum-specs.html

Has anyone done this upgrade and found an increase in performance? I've got Yosemite running on mine with 4gb and it's so slow that it's almost unusable.

have a mid 2011 imac and had 4gb and when I moved to maverics it became slow for a long time after a cold boot, and upgraded it to 16gb and that solved the issue

think the 4gb may have been ok if I never really shut down the imac

4 GB should be enough to surf the web, email, and "small" tasks - anything photo, graphics, or video related: I'd recommend an absolute minimum of 8 (more is better).

ScooterG wrote:

Has anyone done this upgrade and found an increase in performance? I've got Yosemite running on mine with 4gb and it's so slow that it's almost unusable.

I'm same machine :

• Model Name: iMac
• Model Identifier: iMac7,1
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
• Number of Processors: 1
• Total Number of Cores: 2
• L2 Cache: 4 MB
• Memory: 4 GB
• Bus Speed: 800 MHz
• Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
• SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

And also am struggling with it being too sloooowwww.

Can't imagine going from 4GB to 6GB (the max per OWC, Apple max spec is 4GB) will truly matter...

The newer OS versions are optimized to run on newer processors, graphics cards, and lots of RAM. Your machine is a 2007 - that is, in electronics, very old. It's great that it is still working, but you cannot expect a seamless performance trying to run the latest OS. Any increase in RAM will help a little; you can also help by eliminating all login items, only have one app open at a time, do not open too many tabs in a browser, delete browser cache and history at least once a day. But, at the end of the day, it is a slow processor, so it will not run the latest OS as fast as a newer machine would.