Can/Should I install 2 x 8GB SDRAM in my iMac Mid-2010?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Can/Should I install 2 x 8GB SDRAM in my iMac Mid-2010?

Can I install 2 x 8GB SDRAM in my iMac Mid-2010? I logged on to Crucial's website and they recommended 2 x 8GB of RAM. But Apple documentation only seems to say that a max of 4 GB SDRAM is supported. I'm currently using 2 x 2GB. My machine is slow (don't think upgrading to Lion helped permformance). Also, I remember years ago (I think) that RAM should be balanced . . . that is, if I currently have 2 x 2GB, I shouldn't add 2 x 4 GB (my machine has 4 slots), but rather have 4 x 2GB total or 2 x 4GB total. Guess my question is whether I'm better off with:

a. 4 x 2GB (i.e., add addition 2 x 2GB)

b. 2 x 4GB (i.e., remove the 2 x 2GB I currently have and replace with 2 x 4GB)

c. 2 x 8GB (i.e., remove the 2 x 2GB I currently have and replace with 2 x 8GB)

I do a lot of HD video editting.

Thanks,

Paul

iMac, iOS 6.1.3, Mid-2010

Posted on Mar 31, 2013 11:35 AM

Reply

Answer 1

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Mar 31, 2013 11:38 AM in response to Paul Sauer

You can install 2x8 GB of RAM on your iMac without any problem. Although Apple says that the Mid 2010 iMac supports 16 GB of memory, the truth is that you can install 32 GB of memory, so you can use 8 GB sticks.

To have the maximum memory possible, you can install 2 sticks of 8 GB each one but keeping the 2 sticks of 2 GB that are already on the iMac, so you will have 20 GB of memory. In my opinion, it's the best option

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 31, 2013 11:38 AM in response to Paul Sauer

Download this free software called Mactracker. It will tell you everything you need to know about your model iMac.

Reply

Answer 3

Paul Sauer Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2013 12:36 PM in response to Paul Sauer

Hi Again,

Well, I just want to double check on something. When I did my original search on the Crucial website, I mistakenly put in mid-2011 instead of mid-2010! So the mid-2011 search directed me to this product:

Part Number: CT3327364

Module Size: 16GB kit (8GBx2)
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-10600
Specs: DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 • lead free • halogen free • for Mac

I realize this is a very specific question, but can someone tell me for sure whether this product will work for iMac mid-2010 (and not just for iMac mid-2011).

My processor is: 2.98 GHz Intel Core i7

Thanks!

Paul

Reply

Answer 4

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Mar 31, 2013 12:38 PM in response to Paul Sauer

That memory meets all the requirements that your computer needs, so you can buy that memory and install it on the iMac. If you need the steps to install memory, see > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1760

Reply

Answer 5

Paul Sauer Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2013 6:48 PM in response to mende1

Thank you so much!! Very kind of you to take the time.

Best,

Paul

Reply

Answer 6

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Mar 31, 2013 9:55 PM in response to Paul Sauer

You are welcome

Reply

Answer 7

Feb 2, 2014 10:51 AM in response to Paul Sauer

Hi Paul,

I'm in the same boat. My iMac (mid-2010) 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 is running slow for the last little while. I haven't updated my apps in a while because of it. I want as much RAM as I can have and had previously read about iMac being able to take 32GB. And I've also read that the single channel v flex channel v dual channel is not really going to affect what I use the iMac for. So I'm just checking in to see how your upgrade went.

Currently, I have 2 x 2GB RAM.

Crucial recommend: 2 x 4GB RAM

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT51264BF1339

Part Number: CT2KIT51264BF1339

Module Size: 8GB Kit (4GBx2)
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-10600
Specs: DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 512Meg x 64 •

However, they have a 2 x 8GB RAM, which look to be the same parameters but they don't 'recommend it'.

http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT102464BF1339

Part Number: CT2KIT102464BF1339

Module Size: 16GB kit (8GBx2)
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-10600
Specs: DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 •

Can anyone advise on this - love to get the 16GB with my won 4GB to make it 20GB on flex channel.

Thanks

G

Reply

Answer 8

woste

Level 1

22 points

Oct 25, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Apocalypse1983

I just installed 2 x 8 alongside with my original 2 x 4 and they work perfectly. So this means you can mix.

(Interestingly, the iMac will accept PC3-12800 DDR3 @ 1600Mz)

Reply