Memory upgrade for mid 2011 iMac

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Level 1

6 points

Memory upgrade for mid 2011 iMac

Hopefully I can resolve my questions as I've been getting conflicting info. I want to upgrade to the max memory and need to know how much and what type of memory sticks I need. Also, a recommendation of where to buy it would be helpful.

Memory installed is:

Memory 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

System report:

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac12,2

Processor Name: Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 2.7 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Boot ROM Version: IM121.0047.B1F

SMC Version (system): 1.72f2

Thank you.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 2.7GHz Quad, Core I5, 2x4GB

Posted on Jun 20, 2012 4:15 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Radiation Mac

Level 5

4,701 points

Jun 20, 2012 4:17 AM in response to gsusser

Here is the info:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4621

Hope this helps 🙂

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Answer 2

gsusser Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 20, 2012 4:47 AM in response to Radiation Mac

I actually saw that, but thanks. I also think I figured out my confusion as far as maximum memory. It appears it is 32GB but there are no 8GB sticks available yet. I wonder if this will be available soon and also if faster memory will be made available. But I digress - I'm also looking for the best brand. Crucial? OWC? Kingston? Thanks.

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Answer 3

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Jun 20, 2012 6:19 AM in response to gsusser

From my time on this Forum the two equally endorsed vendors are Crucial and OWC. The both carry and gaurentee compatability with their memory upgrades. They also have the 8GB sticks.

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Answer 4

Jun 20, 2012 6:23 AM in response to gsusser

Check with the Mac specialists at Crucial and OWC...they offer memory upgrade kits that they guarantee to be compatible and often larger than what Apple says it supports as the limit.

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Answer 5

gsusser Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 20, 2012 7:14 AM in response to RRFS

I called Crucial. They do have 8GB sticks but highly recommended against it because they say Apple doesn't recommend it. I have a call in to Apple but don't have much hope of gettting a good answer.

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Answer 6

Jun 20, 2012 7:46 AM in response to gsusser

There are a lot of mixed feelings about this since OWC offers higher memory on several Apple machines than Apple officially supports. Plus they guarantee the memory and will take it back if there are problems. The down side is if you need warranty service you have to replace the memory with the original to get Apple to service the machine.

This becomes a matter of call for the user, do you go beyond the stated limit or not? What is your comfort level?

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