RAM UPGRADE FOR i7 27" MID-2011 iMAC

your mac (mid 2011) i7 processor Intel core, 3.4GHz 27") can accept up to 32gb ram.

Greetings Apple experts - With respect to the thred chain above: I too have a mid 2011 27" iMAC i7 with 8GB RAM. I intend to buy 8GB x 4 = 32GB RAM myself which I understand this system can handle to fully maximize its ultimate potential. What I am unclear about is that I've seen options available from a few vendors that presently have 1333 MHz and I've seen a few 1600 MHz options as well...which I assume is even faster. I read something somewhere that said the 1600 MHz works, but I am hesitant to purchase because I haven't heard more about the 1600MHz option or any possible performance issues with the mid 2011 i7 system. Should I stick to PC3-10600, Unbufferred, Nonparity, 204-pin, 1333 MHZ, (or go with 1600 MHz)???

Go to a reputable vendor like OWC or Crucial...they are Mac specialists and have outstanding service and guarantees...and will list for your machine exactly what will work.

Faster ram will not work faster, it cannot go faster than the bus clock speed...and most users have found that it will not work at all as Macs are extremely sensitive to their ram matching their specs.

Only buy the correct ram for the machine. Avoid at all costs Kingston Value Ram, most Kingston ram, PNY ram, and all PC based ram, it is not accurate enough for a Mac.

Ralph - Thanks for the quick response. I am leaning toward Crucial for my purchase. Do you know anything about G.Skill memory?

G.Skill I believe is marketed mostly by Newegg, who used to be really good with Mac stuff. Lately there have been a number of users on here with problems. I trust OWC and Crucial the most of any vendor. Have never had an issue with any memory or hard drives from either.