iMac 8,1 2008 8gb ram upgrade

@jexes10sal. With the iMac face screen down I installed a 4GB RAM module in the right hand slot. I did it this morning and so far the iMac [early 2008 2.8GHz] works well, though I have not noticed any obvious improvement in its performance. The total of 6GB of RAM is recognised in both the system report and the activity monitor. A few days ago I replaced the iMac's 1TB WD hard drive with a Samsung 500GB solid state drive [SSD]. Now that did produce a dramatic improvement with very quick start up and launching of applications, even 2 or 3 at once. So, good luck with the RAM upgrade and, if it suits you, try replacing the hard drive with and SSD.

I installed my 4GB module in the opposite slot. I also repaired my hard drive permissions using SuperDuper. Performance is much better than it had been. Thanks for the SSD recommendation. I'm strongly considering that.

Theoretically it can be installed by the user. Samsung SSDs comes with a data migration disk, but not the needed SATA to usb adapter. It may also need a mounting bracket to fit into the iMac. All beyond me. So I had the SSD installed by the nearby Apple reseller. He used an Apple approved Samsung SSD 850 EVO model MZ-75E500. I thought that was enough storage for me. Other models of this SSD range in size from 120GB to 1TB. It was done in a day and cost AUS$599. Another advantage of the SSD is completely silent operation. I intend to install El Capitan and see how the iMac goes over the next few months. Good luck, if you go ahead.

Hi, I'm coming to this chat very late. I have a simple question. I have a 24" early 2008 iMac with 4GB of RAM (2 x 2GB), as when bought.

I just bought a new DDR: Komputerbay 4GB DDR2 SODIMM (200 pin) 800Mhz PC2 6400 / PC2 6300 CL 6.0 that I want to install.

Simple question: does it matter which slot I put the new 4GB board in? Left or right?

Many thanks

Best

John

Although I don't think it matters, I installed my 4GB chip on the right (as viewed with the screen face-down and the support arm up), and had no issues, so for sure the right slot works. Much as I'd like to know for sure, I'm not going to bother swapping slots. :-)

Im new to macs

these are my specs

what is the highest i can upgrade my ram?

and where can i buy it from?

i can install them my self. just want to buy the parts

Hello, I has the same IMAC 8.1 3,2 ghz, with 4 gb ram, I will try to put 8 gb. You recomend it?

It's working fine your IMAC with 8GB?

Thnak's so much.

Where did you buy your memories. I want to do the same thing. Thanks

I got my modules from Crucial.

Nevel88 and Broken_Mouse, It is now 18 September 2013. How is your iMac performing with 8GBs isntalled?

Joanpb and Deafwarrior, did you install 8GBs and if so what have you found?

I can tell it runs faster too...

In a sense....what more RAM will do is prevent your machine from running slow.

I am not sure that you can take it to 16GB, early 2008 iMac should not be able to support that configuration due to limitations of the chipset.

And VMware recommends increasing the ram. 16gb ram recomended, 8gb total is also fine. I'm eager to know asap because this is a work machine and I need to work.