iMac (Late 2013) 27" i7 Haswell constant crashing with 32GB RAM

Question

Level 1

0 points

iMac (Late 2013) 27" i7 Haswell constant crashing with 32GB RAM

I have Crucial 4x 8GB DDR3L (dual voltage 1.35/1.5 v) RAM sticks and it is very unstable! If I reduce to two sticks i.e. 16GB the system is stable. I have tried them in different orders, but every time I have 32GB in, it crashes at least every couple of hours. Any order of RAM at 16GB is fine.

Have performed Apple Diagnostics + RAM memtest and nothing appears the matter.

Anyone else with ideas or experincing similar issues? I have installed Windows 7 via Bootcamp and running with VirtualBox, but the crashes were happening on the iMac just out of the box with nothing installed with the 32GB in.

Setup:

27-inch, Late 2013

Processor 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4096 MB

Software OS X 10.8.5 (12F45)

HDD 1TB Fusion Drive

Here's an example error log:

Interval Since Last Panic Report:  65334 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          1
Anonymous UUID:                    9CF2ECB9-F21B-1AD0-6570-6EC17A22DE55

Sun Nov  3 10:16:52 2013
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8002ab8945): Kernel trap at 0xffffff8002ad3434, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x000000008001003b, CR2: 0x00000000000007aa, CR3: 0x00000000056f3000, CR4: 0x00000000001606e0
RAX: 0x0000000039b59589, RBX: 0x0000000000000580, RCX: 0xffffff80030edf18, RDX: 0x0000000039b59589
RSP: 0xffffff8391f9bce0, RBP: 0xffffff8391f9bd00, RSI: 0x000004070f0f8ced, RDI: 0xffffff8003001f20
R8:  0x0000000000000001, R9:  0x00000000000003ff, R10: 0xffffffffffffffff, R11: 0x00000000ffffffff
R12: 0x0000000000000000, R13: 0xffffff837fde0600, R14: 0xffffff80030d1b00, R15: 0x0000000000000002
RFL: 0x0000000000010002, RIP: 0xffffff8002ad3434, CS:  0x0000000000000008, SS:  0x0000000000000010
Fault CR2: 0x00000000000007aa, Error code: 0x0000000000000002, Fault CPU: 0x0

Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff8391f9b980 : 0xffffff8002a1d636 
0xffffff8391f9b9f0 : 0xffffff8002ab8945 
0xffffff8391f9bbc0 : 0xffffff8002acebfd 
0xffffff8391f9bbe0 : 0xffffff8002ad3434 
0xffffff8391f9bd00 : 0xffffff8002acf884 
0xffffff8391f9bd30 : 0xffffff8002abff46 
0xffffff8391f9bd50 : 0xffffff8002a2c269 
0xffffff8391f9bd70 : 0xffffff8002a42123 
0xffffff8391f9bdc0 : 0xffffff8002b3fd7c 
0xffffff8391f9be30 : 0xffffff7f838422d4 
0xffffff8391f9be50 : 0xffffff7f838423a3 
0xffffff8391f9be70 : 0xffffff7f83c134fa 
0xffffff8391f9bea0 : 0xffffff7f83c05b12 
0xffffff8391f9bef0 : 0xffffff8002e50e58 
0xffffff8391f9bf30 : 0xffffff8002e4f95a 
0xffffff8391f9bf80 : 0xffffff8002e4fa89 
0xffffff8391f9bfb0 : 0xffffff8002ab3257 
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(3.0)[F02560D1-ADE6-3AD9-8D05-43CB2B7C8B87]@0xffffff7f83838000->0xffffff7f83862fff
         com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet(3.6.2b4)[6E5242BB-5BD2-3BC6-ADBB-F05D02568DC0]@0xffffff7f83c04000->0xffffff7f83c3bfff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[A35915E8-C1B0-3C0F-81DF-5515BC9002FC]@0xffffff7f83b98000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.8)[6C1D646D-7E5E-3D7F-A557-2CBA398FF878]@0xffffff7f8308e000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController(1.0.2b1)[4CE25B46-E77B-3CCC-939A-DD10DA6EBE97]@0xffffff7f83bfd000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(3.0)[F02560D1-ADE6-3AD9-8D05-43CB2B7C8B87]@0xffffff7f83838000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
12F45

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 12.5.0: Sun Sep 29 13:33:47 PDT 2013; root:xnu-2050.48.12~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: EA38B02E-2B88-309F-BA68-1DE29F605DD8
Kernel slide:     0x0000000002800000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8002a00000
System model name: iMac14,2 (Mac-27ADBB7B4CEE8E61)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 4427395803894
last loaded kext at 427144044534: com.apple.filesystems.smbfs    1.8.4 (addr 0xffffff7f85097000, size 229376)
last unloaded kext at 278163156098: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass    3.5.2 (addr 0xffffff7f838e1000, size 69632)
loaded kexts:
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetAdp    4.3.2
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxNetFlt    4.3.2
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxUSB    4.3.2
org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv    4.3.2
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs    1.8.4
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor    1.9.5d0
com.apple.filesystems.autofs    3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch    75.19
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC    1.60
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager    4.1.7f4
com.apple.driver.AGPM    100.13.12
com.apple.driver.ApplePlatformEnabler    2.0.7d2
com.apple.driver.X86PlatformShim    1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver    124
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA    2.4.7fc4
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient    3.5.12
com.apple.GeForce    8.1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet    1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver    2.4.7fc4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHD5000Graphics    8.1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight    170.3.5
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    4.1.7f4
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X    7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI    1.0.11d1
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU    2.0.3d0
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC    1.6.3
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl    1.1.11
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl    3.4.5
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelFramebufferAzul    8.1.6
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless    1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib    1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache    34
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub    635.4.0
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter    404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage    2.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSDXC    1.4.3
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet    3.6.2b4
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4360    641.15.1
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort    2.6.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBXHCI    635.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons    1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC    1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET    1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS    1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC    1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC    1.7
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall    4.0.39
com.apple.security.quarantine    2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard    170.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard    170.2.4
com.apple.kext.triggers    1.0
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver    4.1.7f4
com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver    237.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily    10.0.6
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib    2.4.7fc4
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily    1.9.2fc7
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib    1.12
com.apple.nvidia.gk100hal    8.1.6
com.apple.NVDAResman    8.1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface    86.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily2    74.15
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert    1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    4.1.7f4
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily    4.1.7f4
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController    2.4.7fc4
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily    2.4.7fc4
com.apple.driver.X86PlatformPlugin    1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC    3.1.5d4
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily    5.4.1d13
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController    1.0.11d1
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl    3.4.5
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport    2.3.7
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily    2.3.7
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltEDMSink    1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub    621.4.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily    3.5.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite    621.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPOutAdapter    2.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPInAdapter    2.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPAdapterFamily    2.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltPCIDownAdapter    1.3.2
com.apple.driver.CoreStorage    296.18.2
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient    630.4.4
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltNHI    1.9.2
com.apple.iokit.IOThunderboltFamily    2.7.7
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController    1.0.2b1
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family    530.5
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily    3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily    2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily    635.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM    2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily    1.8.1
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime    2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily    1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox    220.3
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch    1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet    7
com.apple.driver.DiskImages    345
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily    1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore    28.21
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform    1.8
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily    2.8
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily    1.4
com.apple.kec.corecrypto    1.0
System Profile:
Model: iMac14,2, BootROM IM142.0118.B00, 4 processors, Intel Core i7, 3.5 GHz, 16 GB, SMC 2.15f2
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M, PCIe, 4096 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM1, 8 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x859B, 0x435438473353313630424D2E4D3136464444
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM1, 8 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x859B, 0x435438473353313630424D2E4D3136464444
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x111), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (6.30.225.29.1)
Bluetooth: Version 4.1.7f4 12974, 3 service, 21 devices, 3 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: APPLE HDD WD10EZES-40UFAA0, 1 TB
Serial ATA Device: APPLE SSD SD0128F, 121.33 GB
USB Device: HD-GDU3, 0x0411  (Melco, Inc.), 0x0235, 0x15600000 / 10
USB Device: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in), apple_vendor_id, 0x8511, 0x14700000 / 5
USB Device: BRCM20702 Hub, 0x0a5c  (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x14800000 / 1
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x828d, 0x14830000 / 2

Many thanks

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Nov 3, 2013 4:03 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan 7, 2014 3:34 PM in response to wimvervynck

I just got off the phone with Crucial support. They are sending me four new 8GB sticks made on the 'Micron' boards. Their tech support said that should fix the iMac issue with maxed out RAM. They have been sending RAM printed on a few different board (green part of the RAM stick) manufacturers and it causes issues when mixed.

Problem should be fixed by using all four sticks made on 'Micron' boards.

I'll be getting my new sticks in a few days as well and posting results.

iMac 27 inch Late 2013

3.5 GHz Intel Core i7

32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 (now 8 GB while I wait)

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4096 MB

Reply

Answer 2

ginooken

Level 1

0 points

Jan 7, 2014 11:38 PM in response to wimvervynck

@ wimvervynck

Problem is not solved in my case. I'm still having issues with random kernel panics.

Although less frequent in my opinion after the latest Mavericks update.

Last one occured yesterday evening. iMac was idle with only Chrome and Finder open.

I would say : not solved.

kr,

gino

Reply

Answer 3

Jan 11, 2014 4:57 AM in response to shaunumb

Problem is also solved here with the new Crucial modules. 48 hours without a crash.

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 12, 2014 2:50 AM in response to shaunumb

Same here..

Max out RAM 32GB iMac 2013, and Panic! 24GB is stable but not maxed out.

RAM test no errors.

iMac 2009 max out same 32GB RAM, no panic ever in 3years.

More panics with Mavericks than Mountain Lion, so Mountain Lion is more stable.

Something maybe to do with energy save with Mac, as RAM modules panics more when energy save is on.

Using 4x Kingston RAM modules, talkend Kingston specialist, and they are all so aware of this iMac late 2013 RAM problem, so we are replacing these RAM modules other chip board, and then let's see is there still Kernel Panic.

Processor 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7

Memory 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4096 MB

Software OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) (Mavericks has more Kernel panics for me)

Reply

Answer 5

Rodrejo

Level 1

8 points

Jan 12, 2014 3:03 AM in response to nuferreira

Problem solved with new 4 modules (8gb) from CSX. Working perfectly. I am a mounth without kernel panics or crashes.

My memories (32gb) from Crucial are working correctly in a IMAC 2013 i5, the same memories in my IMAC i7 produced kernel panics.

I hope you will solve the problem soon.

Reply

Answer 6

ginooken

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2014 12:07 AM in response to nuferreira

I requested an RMA last week from Crucial.

I'm awaiting new memory in the coming days / weeks.

I'll post an update after I've received the new modules. It should be clear very soon wether

the problem is solved or not.

kr,

Gino

Reply

Answer 7

Elraidor

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2014 3:45 PM in response to shaunumb

Add mine to the list. Brand new, fully loaded, won't stay up for more than 24 hrs without a panic. Apple dealer has now had it for over 3 weeks trying to get it stable for me. Soon be time to Rouen Ian's buy a windows workstation, yuk!

Reply

Answer 8

val75

Level 1

5 points

Jan 17, 2014 6:03 AM in response to shaunumb

I just received the replacement memory from Crucial. They dealt with my issue professionally and quickly, also they acknowledged that some of the memory modules cause kernel panics and they're working to fix the issue.

Now let's hope that this batch is fine and I don't need to send them back again! I'll post an update in a week or so.

Regards,

Valerio

Reply

Answer 9

cdanr

Level 1

33 points

Jan 25, 2014 4:14 AM in response to shaunumb

I have been following both this thread and a similar one on Crucial's forums for a while now.

I've been through quite a journey in attempting to upgrade the RAM on my own Late 2013 iMac. I bought my iMac with 16GB preinstalled (2x8GB) Apple RAM. This way, I figured, I wouldn't have to replace any modules when I upgraded to the full 32GB. If only it were that easy!

First, after consulting Apple's own memory specifications page for RAM, I purchased 2x8GB modules of CFD PC3-12800 DDR3. This is a very popular and respected brand here in Japan. I've used it on all my Macs in the past with no problems.

Well, after installing it, my iMac proceeded to randomly restart or kernel panic. I went to the forums and the consensus seemed to be that the problem was that the Haswell-based Macs now require DDR3L (1.35 V) modules.

So, after returning the CFD for a refund I purchased 2x8GB of Team Group Team Elite PC3-12800 DDR3L. Well, I am now returning that for a refund as well since I experienced exactly the same issues.

I've long considered purchasing the Crucial RAM being discussed here and am now trying to decide whether it will be worth it or not. I would have to order it from Amazon.com in the USA and pay for the international shipping to me here in Japan. If I experience the same problems with the Crucial though, it would be the ultimate hassle to return it to the states.

I've never experienced these memory problems on any Mac I've ever owned. It is a massive headache and it is really making me regret my decision to have upgraded to this machine at all.

Ginooken and val75, please do share your latest results with the replacement modules you most recently received. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 10

Jan 25, 2014 4:30 AM in response to cdanr

I start to beleve there is something wrong at iMac late 2013.

One thing I like to know, is this happening with 32GB Apple RAM?

We are using A lot of Kingstom RAM here in Finland, and I get my Kingston replacement RAM's after one week, but I doubt that this helps nothing...

Hey Apple! Say something or iMac coming back!

Reply

Answer 11

val75

Level 1

5 points

Jan 25, 2014 5:59 AM in response to shaunumb

Update on my current situation: since installing the new memory modules from Crucial I did not have any kernel panics. My iMac has been running for more than 3 days, without switching it off, and everything works fine.

The serial (or model) number for the modules I have is: CT8G3S160BMCEU (4 x 8 GB).

I will post another update - hopefully the last one - when 4 more days have passed. After that, if I don't experience any kernel panics, I will call this issue solved for my part.

Reply

Answer 12

cdanr

Level 1

33 points

Jan 25, 2014 5:32 PM in response to val75

Thank you for the update, Val. I really have my suspicions that the RAM I've been trying is not to blame for these problems but it's impossible to prove of course.

Since it is the weekend here and I cant return the latest 16GB of DDR3L that I purchased. I decided to do one last experiment. I removed all the DIMMs and then put them back in one by one, seating them as firmly as I could. I also put the third party RAM in the slots the Apple RAM occupied to reverse them.

So now it's been 12 hours of me trying my hardest to invoke a kernel panic, so far unsuccessfully. The real problem is that there is never one definitive way to get the machine to panic. It does so randomly. I've got another 24 hours to stress test it. I half hope it does panic again, because if not I will have a more difficult decision on returning it or not. I have to pay all the shipping and fees for the RMA and I got this RAM at an excellent price. It has since gone up.

I just have this sinking feeling that even if I do return it and order the Crucial from the states, it will end up with a random kernel panic about a day in. Then I'll pull my hair out.

Again, this iMac is the prettiest and fastest I've ever owned but by FAR the most troublesome. 😟

Reply

Answer 13

Lanny

Level 6

13,207 points

Jan 25, 2014 7:48 PM in response to iRideApple

Hey Apple! Say something or iMac coming back!

You're not talking to Apple here, just other users like your self.

Reply

Answer 14

Jan 25, 2014 11:05 PM in response to Lanny

It is "Shout" to the Apple.. Maybe some one at Apple here me...

Peace.

Reply

Answer 15

cdanr

Level 1

33 points

Jan 25, 2014 11:49 PM in response to iRideApple

iRideApple wrote:

It is "Shout" to the Apple.. Maybe some one at Apple here me...

Peace.

Go for it! I feel like shouting myself and I surely feel your pain.

Update: 18 hours and counting without a crash after reseating/reversing the DIMMs. I'm trying my hardest to get it to panic. I'm sure it will probably wait until the very last moment to do so, most likely right after I've decided to call off the RMA of the new modules and when I've finally just started to believe it might actually have been cured. 😠 That's the moment when it will spontaneously reboot.

Reply