What would be the best RAM for my iMac?

No matter how fast your RAM chips are the system speed will be limited by the bus speed of the computer. If you use the RAM that is specd for your machine you'll be getting as fast as matters.

The most Important thing is to get the RAM that is the Correct and Matching RAM for your Computer.

Macs are Very Fussy about RAM.

You can use this Link to check which RAM is suitable for your Mac...

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/

As already stated...

It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM

For best performance, fill all memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.

That site also has videos on how to Install RAM should you need it...

Here are Apples Instructions...

Desktop http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1423

I second the suggestion to use OWC; I've been running two iMacs with 12 GB RAM - the original 2 x 2 GB plus 2 x 4 GB RAM from OWC. As long as they are matched horizontally, you can use different sizes in the top/bottom two slots.

One other consideration. Your geographical location can substantially affect the end cost when you take, shipping, exchange rate variations and local sales taxes into account. So check the base cost first and do your sums. Usually, if you are based in Europe, go Crucial, or in the Americas, go OWC.

Both Crucial and OWC are equally reliable (one not being significantly faster than the other for the same sort of item).

See http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2011/DDR3_21.5_27

I am here for the same question. What is important to look for with buying memory? Granted, everywhere I look, OWC seems to be the most reccommended. I did use it with my Mac Pro in the past because it had the thermal sensor. I had read some years back that the thermal sensor was an important feature. That it helps the CPU and memory keep the proper temperatures. I had also read that if the proper temperatures are NOT kept the CPU would heat up much higher than it should and that would eventually be detrimental to the CPU.

So, I ask, is this still an issue with the iMac? I did notice, on BHPhoto website, that the "Lifetime brand" memory, has a fast speed and states it has a thermal sensor for mac notebooks, which I assume the imac is, a notebook with a monitor slapped on it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/909681-REG/Lifetime_Memory_2_x_8GB_1600MHz .html

Im still researching though for the best quality and value. The one thing I would definately like to point out to anyone reading this thread, is if you do go with OWC ram, DONT BUY IT FROM Macsales.com. Buy it from BHPhoto because its cheapest there.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/905957-REG/owc_other_world_computing_owc16 00ddr3s16p_16gb_sodimm_pc12800_1600mhz.html

Im still going to research the other memory out there, but if anyone has the real reasons not to buy the other memory of same spec from other less expensive brands, please post because I would love to know the accurrate answer.

Thanks!

Im still researching though for the best quality and value. The one thing I would definately like to point out to anyone reading this thread, is if you do go with OWC ram, DONT BUY IT FROM Macsales.com. Buy it from BHPhoto because its cheapest there.

All RAM is not the same even though the specs may indicate it. As Macs are very particular about their RAM, you should ask the place you are recommending if they have tested the RAM on a Mac and are guaranteeing it to work with a Mac? And, even more importantly, do they offer a lifetime warranty.

I would only buy it from a vendor who sells Mac tested RAM, guarantees it to work, and has a lifetime warranty ( in addition to very good customer service). That means either OWC or Crucial. You get what you pay for. And, I don't need to check anything - both places will sell me the absolutely correct spec RAM for my model.

So, after your purchase of this brand, post back with their reply and then test it for several months and report back.

I am confused with your post. I had mentioned 2 different brands in my post above.

I mentioned Lifetime Memory, which I have never heard of, and I mentioned OWC ram, both of which are sold on the BHphoto website.

Which one are you asking about as far as having me verify they test it? Im confused. And are you referring to Bhphoto? Do they test it, or does the manufacture test it?

As far as Crucial, I haven't called them yet. Do you know if they have the thermal sensor on it and is that sensor an issue with the imac as it was with the Mac Pro years back? A few years ago when I called Crucial, they told me they did NOT have the thermal sensor on their memory like the OWC memory. That is why I went with OWC and am inclined to go that way again, just not buying from Macsales.com versus Bhphoto since BH sells it for less.

Please clarify! Thanks!

There are several very good versions of Ram available to all Mac's I prefer Crucial, and if you are not real tech savy I suggest you let them scan your computer and they will tell you exactly what your computer will hold and the cost.

http://www.crucial.com

Then there is Other World Computing they are both by far and away the best on the market place for your Mac.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&ut m_campaign=sitelinks&gclid=CLaQm6SQgr4CFQQT7Aodjy4Aww

Good Luck with your choice they are both top of the line in Ram.

Cheers

Don

If you buy the RAM from BHPhoto, who provides a warranty if there is a warranty at all? You want a vendor with a lifetime warranty. I just spent 5 minutes perusing their site and couldn't find any mention of a warranty. That would be a show stopper for me as I would not buy RAM without a warranty.

As for mentioning OWC RAM on that site, I must admit I missed that. I was referring to the other brand which I've never heard of. I tend to prefer OWC since they are a Mac only vendor whereas Crucial also makes and sells RAM for PCs (and their customer service got confused about Mac vs PC when I called with a question) and I don't need to worry about the specs at all: as long as I can find my Mac or use my model identifier, there is nothing to download and install, they simply show the correct RAM for that particular model on one page. They also do extensive RAM testing and have excellent customer service.

I do not know if Crucial has the thermal sensor as I've only purchased OWC RAM for my iMac.

Thanks again for the response. I really can't believe what a challenge this is. I just spent an hour reading this massive debate on the topic in the mac rumors forum.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1650445

When I went to the crucial website, they only have one model number for imacs. Its CT4951624. Tomorrow, I am going to call BHphoto and ask about the warranty. Generally, when an authorized seller sells a product, the typical warranty applies. I know sometimes when you buy from unauthroized sellers, the manufactures don't like to support the product warranties, so I will definately check.

As far as bhphoto, they have several Crucial memory for sale. None of the 4 different ones have this part number like on the Crucial site. CT4951624. Possibly, they gave BHphoto their own model number. I will investigate this tomorrow. I believe the bhphoto number of CT2K8G3S160BM, is the same, but again, I will call Crucial and verify this. Supposedly in the 4 page debate at teh macrumors site, Crucial sells this model number to other sellers and the other one CT4951624, only on their site. As long as it is the same memory, I will save the $25.00 per each set of 16GB 8 x 2 and buy at Bhphoto. ($185.00)

As far as OWC, that is $13.00 dollars less at BHphoto and I wil check on that warranty as well. The Crucial memory is $135.00 at Bhphoto for 2 x 8gb = 16gb sticks.

Good luck with all your checking; you might have already checked this, but in case you haven't, here are the current offerings from OWC for your 12,1 iMac:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2011/DDR3_21.5_27

I called Crucial. They said that the commonly found model number CT2K8G3S160BM is the same as the part number they use on their website of CT4951624. I was also told that it doens't have a thermal sensor and that it doesn't need one.

They further said that Apple buys this exact memory from them and puts it in their computers and that it is 100% supported as opposed to unsupported and causing a warranty to be voided.

So, that said, I purchased thorugh BHPhoto for $135.00 for 2 x 8GB memory modules and saved roughly $50.00 from that of OWC ram also sold at BHPhoto chaeper than from EveryMac.com.

When the comuter and memory show up, I will run a test and publish temperature results.