How much memory is enough?

Question

How much memory is enough?

Stupid Question I know. intentionally so. The thing is I have 4gb at the moment on 2 x 2gb sticks which came with the machine. Lately it's been slowwing down. I asked around and was told to check my memory. This came as a surprise 'cos its got terrbyte or is it tetrabyte, and I thought this was all I needed, not knowing the difference between this HD memory and RAm. OK, question, should I put in two x 4gb to bring me up to 12 gb or go the whole hog and get 4 x 4gb and dump the 4gb that came with the machine? The difference in price is not that great. Any recomendations for type of memory Please.

Thanks

Wilf

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 12:23 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Oct 25, 2012 12:35 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Hello Wilfred,

We still don't know what machine you have (it makes a difference) but my guess is a 27" 2009. While maxing out the memory is okay, from what you describe, you should insert your memory in a balanced way. In your case as you appear to be unconcerned about price, either 4 x 2GB or 4x 4GB.

Let us know your choice and update your profile with the model and year detail,

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 25, 2012 12:45 AM in response to seventy one

Thanks for superfast answer 71, Machine details iMac 11,1, Intel core i5 2.66 GHZ. 27" 2009 but prchased Sept. 2010 (at a discount). I've been reading about a Co. called OWC for reliable memory but they are in the States. There are so many people selling memory it's difficult to know who to trust if you're technically illiterate like me.

Reply

Answer 3

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Oct 25, 2012 12:51 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Don't recognise the 11.1, what does it say if you go to the Apple logo > About this Mac, third line down, version number. As far as memory is concerned Crucial.com if you are in Europe, is your best bet. Fast, no shipping charges, no exchange rate problems and easy access. They will also walk you through the process of identifying exactly what you want.

Good luck.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 25, 2012 1:43 AM in response to seventy one

Ok thanks, the version No. is 10.6.8 I was looking under the Hardware overview before. The odd thing is that I had a lot of trouble registering this mac as the serial number was not recognised when I tried to register it online. Tokk me several phone calls to Apple before it was registered. Anyway thanks for the heads - up on memory source. Will check them out today. Think I'll go for 4 x 4gb then it will be maxed out and that will be that. I'll put the original sticks somewhere safe - JUST IN CASE!!!

Great help 71 many thanks.

Wilf

Reply

Answer 5

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Oct 25, 2012 1:53 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Thanks for the stars, Wilfred.

Just a last point, assuming you are in Europe and go to Crucial.com. Use the phone initially, they won't oversell you but take the line with them that you want to know whether you should max out. Make sure you have your machine data to hand.

Go to the Apple logo as I said before, then to more info. That should provide all they will need.

They will probably encourage you to order through their site.

Reply

Answer 6

Geordie

Level 2

316 points

Oct 25, 2012 2:47 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

One more thing, did you check how much Hard Disk space you had left from your 1TB? You should leave at least 10% free if you can.

I can vouch for Crucial too, excellent products and customer service when it comes to RAM.

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 25, 2012 2:54 AM in response to seventy one

I saw this about 5 mins too late I had used their scanner thingy and have ordered the 4 x 4 gb. Now all I have to do is pray I don't bugger up inserting them. I've watched the videos and it looks easy but so does putting up a shelf, on the video. Gives my study a whole new slant on book storage.

I'll post again when i get the stuff and it's in and hopefully running. Thanks 71

Wilf

Message was edited by: wilfredfromcastleford

Reply

Answer 8

Oct 25, 2012 2:56 AM in response to Geordie

I did Geordie thanks, there was loads left. That's what had me puzzled, I didn't realize the difference.

Reply

Answer 9

Geordie

Level 2

316 points

Oct 25, 2012 2:58 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Adding RAM is easy, just follow it step by step.

Can't help with the shelf 😉

Reply

Answer 10

Oct 25, 2012 3:17 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

I would be interested to see what the result is because reading your post gave no indication of what you were using on your machine.

Generically, slow start-ups are caused by information being loaded from the HD into RAM. The technical explanantion is that the File allocation tables on the disk which are your location of files on the disk are being cached (put into RAM for quick access). If you have increased the number of programs you need to load up on start-up, this will affect the startup time.

If your programs are slow to respond after loading the program and is HD activity is noticable during use, this is indication that the information is being swapped out and more information is loaded into RAM from the HD. This a classic reason to upgrade your RAM.

If adding RAM doesn't give a noticable boost, don't be surprised

Reply

Answer 11

Oct 25, 2012 4:07 AM in response to Kronk2013

What got me started on this Kronk2013, was that viewing on you tube, which I use a lot for tutorials etc and doing catch up on iplayer have become so slow as to be unwatchable. Buffering every few seconds. The consensus of advice given to me was "Buy some memory you stingy old git". And true enough my 4mb was almost full. The start up is ok and programs answer quick enough but loading from Safari is becoming slower too. I have 1.02MB free memory, page outs are 181.0 MB which I am told is a bad thing - Don't ask- and I have 906.86GB left on the HD. To be honest much of this stuff is way above my head. I just sit here and bash the keyboard, what all the little people running about inside the shiny case do I have no idea. I'll just put the new memory in and report back to all you nice people who have tried to help. Thanks

Wilf

Reply

Answer 12

Oct 25, 2012 4:17 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

Hey guys, further to all this I have this minute received the following email from Apple

Dear iMac owner,

Apple has determined that certain 1TB Seagate hard drives used in 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac systems may fail. These systems were sold between October 2009 and July 2011.

Our records show that you have an iMac with an affected 1TB Seagate hard drive. Apple will replace your hard drive with a new one, free of charge, under the iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program.

Please choose one of the following options to get a replacement hard drive.

•	Apple Retail Store - set up an appointment with a Genius.

•	Apple Authorised Service Provider - find one here.
•	Apple Technical Support - contact us for local service options.

Apple recommends replacing your affected hard drive as soon as possible. Before you go in for service, please back up your data. Learn more about backup options.

Additional Information

You will need to have the original Mac OS installation discs that were supplied with your iMac in order to reinstall your operating system, other applications and any backed up data after your hard drive is replaced.

This worldwide Apple programme does not extend the standard warranty coverage of the iMac.

Apple will replace affected 1TB Seagate hard drives, free of charge, for three years from your iMac's original date of purchase or until 12 April 2013, whichever provides longer coverage for you. Apple will continue to evaluate service data and provide extensions to this programme as needed.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Apple Inc.

Anybody heard of this replacement programme? Seems a strange coincidence to me

or maybe I'm being paranoid, can't find my tinfoil helmet that's the trouble.

Seriously what do you think?

Apple Distribution International, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Cork, Ireland. Company Registration number: 470672. VAT number: IE9700053D.

If you would prefer not to receive commercial email from Apple, or if you have changed your email address, please click here.

Reply

Answer 13

Geordie

Level 2

316 points

Oct 25, 2012 4:28 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

That's disappointing considering you've just pulled the trigger on some new RAM (I think?) I would get the HD sorted through Apple though, I have heard of this replacement programme. If you've already bought the RAM then you should have a super fast machine by the time it's all sorted!

Reply

Answer 14

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Oct 25, 2012 4:38 AM in response to wilfredfromcastleford

This is an ongoing problem that I couldn't have determined from your opening post. It is genuine so get it replaced. I'm not sure what they will do about expenses for carriage if you have to send it somewhere. Ring and check. This item will usually be guaranteed for one year after installation.

As Geordie wrote, you'll have a super fast machine afterwards.

Reply

Answer 15

Oct 25, 2012 4:55 AM in response to seventy one

I didn't know about this problem either and just thought it weird that I should get this message immediately after postin on the board for the first time in a year. Now on phone to Apple and have been holding for the last 16 minutes. Wonder why I wasn't informed before.

W.

Reply