iMac Ram upgrade (Early 2008)

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Level 1

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iMac Ram upgrade (Early 2008)

Just wondering what a good brand to upgrade my old iMac 20inch (early 2008) would be i've got the spec of what ram i should use, however i've never upgraded an iMac and am just wondering whats the best brands that work with the iMac would be.

iMac (Early 2008)

PC2-6400

Unbuffered

Nonparity

200-pin

800MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Any suggestions?

It can only be ugraded to two 2GB chips. I currently have the standard (at that time lol) 2x1gb right now.

Links would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

J

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 5, 2013 6:57 PM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Jan 5, 2013 7:14 PM in response to FusionBlaze

Here is a good source (one of the two most recommended sites here):

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo_PC2-6400

Make sure I picked the right webpage - check your model identifyer (how to check is on that page).

This vendor also has how to videos on their site (hit the tech support tab)

The other recommended vendor: Crucial.

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Answer 2

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Jan 5, 2013 8:09 PM in response to FusionBlaze

I have the same model, 1 2GB and 1 4GB will make 6GB nicely.

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Answer 3

FusionBlaze Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2013 8:36 PM in response to RRFS

a 4GB works in yours? Early 2008 20inch?

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Answer 4

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Jan 6, 2013 8:38 PM in response to FusionBlaze

The link I provided earlier to OWC includes a 6 GB kit; although Apple supports 4 GB, OWC has tested that it works with 6 GB, so that'll be your decision.

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Answer 5

FusionBlaze Author

Level 1

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Jan 6, 2013 9:15 PM in response to babowa

Hey,thanks for your response.

The 6 GB kit will work for this model. I know apple has a bunch of specs, but i just want to make sure that it would work.

Apple Specs

The maximum amount of random-access memory (RAM) you can install in the computer is:

Computer	Memory Type	Maximum Memory
iMac (Mid 2007)	DDR2	4GB (2x2GB)
iMac (Early 2008)	DDR2	4GB (2x2GB)
iMac (Early 2009)	DDR3	8GB (2x4GB)

You can use a 1GB or 2 GB RAM module in each slot for iMac (Mid 2007) and iMac (Early 2008). Use 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB modules in each slot for the iMac (Early 2009).

Use Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (SO-DIMM) that meet all of these criteria:

iMac (Mid 2007)	iMac (Early 2008)	iMac (Early 2009)
PC2-5300	PC2-6400	PC3-8500
Unbuffered	Unbuffered	Unbuffered
Nonparity	Nonparity	Nonparity
200-pin	200-pin	204-pin
667MHz DDR2 SDRAM	800MHz DDR2 SDRAM	1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM

DIMMs with any of the following features are not supported:

Registers or buffers
PLLs
Error-correcting code (ECC)
Parity
Extended data out (EDO) RAM

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,109 points

Jan 6, 2013 9:42 PM in response to FusionBlaze

I have no affiliation with OWC; but they are a much recommended vendor here. They test the RAM; if they say 6 GB will work and it doesn't, you can contact them for a solut8on. They also offer lifetime warranty on the RAM they sell. I've heard of others here mentioning that it worked - personally, I do not have that Mac, so i can't test it myself.

As I said, the decision is up to you; make sure you check your model identifier to ascertain that you are on the right page.

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Answer 7

seventy one

Level 7

27,430 points

Jan 7, 2013 12:46 AM in response to FusionBlaze

I run an Intel based, 20" iMac bought in mid 2007. After some research I recently upgraded my RAM from 3GB to 6GB. It has been a total success.

Just a note; The consencus is that it would be unwise to try to exceed 6GB.

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Answer 8

Jan 7, 2013 3:40 AM in response to FusionBlaze

I have a Late 2007, model 7.1, and I have been successfuly running 6 GB of RAM in it for several years. And, yes, the RAM kit was from OWC mentioned above.

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