HT4255: iMac (Mid 2010): Memory specifications

Learn about iMac (Mid 2010): Memory specifications
Paul Sauer

Q: 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

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

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  • by mende1,Solvedanswer

    mende1 mende1 Mar 31, 2013 11:38 AM in response to Paul Sauer
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    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

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Mar 31, 2013 11:38 AM in response to Paul Sauer
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    2ue5vgy.gif

  • by Paul Sauer,

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

  • by mende1,Helpful

    mende1 mende1 Mar 31, 2013 12:38 PM in response to Paul Sauer
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    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

  • by Paul Sauer,

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

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Mar 31, 2013 9:55 PM in response to Paul Sauer
    Level 10 (93,314 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 31, 2013 9:55 PM in response to Paul Sauer

    You are welcome

  • by Apocalypse1983,

    Apocalypse1983 Apocalypse1983 Feb 2, 2014 10:51 AM in response to Paul Sauer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    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

  • by woste,

    woste woste Oct 25, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Apocalypse1983
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    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.

    Capture d’écran 2014-10-25 à 16.16.04.png

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