Can i use 4gb of ram after 10.6 upgrade on MA589LL?

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Can i use 4gb of ram after 10.6 upgrade on MA589LL?

Hello, I am new to Mac.

I have a late 2006 iMac (MA589LL) that I have upgraded to 3GB of RAM. It has 10.4.11 on it but i have 10.6 in the mail. The specs say that it is limited to 3GB of Ram but it also says that the hardware will support 2 x 2GB sticks but the OS will only use 3GB. I am assuming that this is due to 32 Bit OS. If I upgrade to 10.6 or even 10.7 will that give me the 64 Bit OS and allow me to utilize the full 4GB?

Thank for any help and suggestions to a new Mac user,

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Mar 31, 2012 8:14 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 31, 2012 8:21 PM in response to ahales74

I looked up your part number for you Mac and it is not a G5.

This web site, http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/faq_cd/imac-intel-how-to-upgrade-memo ry.html

explains the RAM limitations on your iMac.

Allan

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,515 points

Mar 31, 2012 8:18 PM in response to ahales74

This has nothing to do with the OS. If you have a Core 2 Duo machine then it is a 64-bit machine. The problem is that the memory controller in the computer can only address 3 GBs for user access. You can install 4 GBs of RAM but that is the limit.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,702 points

Mar 31, 2012 8:21 PM in response to ahales74

Here are the complete specs for your model:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac-core-2-duo-2.16-20-inch-sp ecs.html

Upgrading to 10.6. or 10.7 will not change the fact that it will only address 3 GB; personally, I'd stay with 10.6 because Lion is somewhat of a memory hog and 3 GB will be stretching it - you will not be happy with the performance. From what I've read, yours can read 3.1 or 3.2 GB if you install 4 - I used to have the same (but 24") model and stayed with 3 GB. And that will not change by installing Lion.

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Answer 4

ahales74 Author

Level 1

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Mar 31, 2012 8:25 PM in response to babowa

I am amazed at the quick responses I have received.

Thank you.

Yes I think I will stay with 10.6. I live in a windows environment but have been wanting to get more familiar with the mac OS X and I think this machine and the 10.6 will be more than up to the job.

Again thank for the quick responses.

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,702 points

Mar 31, 2012 8:55 PM in response to ahales74

You're welcome and thanks for the feedback!

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