Can I use Apple Memory Module 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 (PC3-12800) 2 x 8GB to replace the Apple Memory Module 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 (PC3-10600) 2x4GB memory on my iMac mid-2011?

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Level 1

60 points

Can I use Apple Memory Module 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 (PC3-12800) 2 x 8GB to replace the Apple Memory Module 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 (PC3-10600) 2x4GB memory on my iMac mid-2011?

I would like to upgrade my 27 inch, 3.4 GHz Intel Quad-Core i7 mid-2011 iMac that I purchased in December 2011 to the faster memory boards currently sold in the Apple Store. There is no iMac family shown for iMac mid-2011, only iMac Spring-2011, iMac Fall-2012 and iMac Fall-2013. Since my iMac has four memory slots, and it has a processor that falls in the range for the RAM for the newest family of iMacs, 27-inch3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 - 3.5GHz Core i7, is there any reason that I should not replace the two slower 4Gb 1333 MHz RAM boards that came with my iMac with two or four faster 8Gb 1600 MHz RAM boards? Has anyone done this successfully on an iMac mid-2011?

WHAT I HAVE NOW:

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac12,2

Processor Name: Intel Core i7

Processor Speed: 3.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 8 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Boot ROM Version: IM121.0047.B1F

SMC Version (system): 1.72f2

BANK 0/DIMM1:

Size: 4 GB

Type: DDR3

Speed: 1333 MHz

Status: OK

Manufacturer: 0x80AD

BANK 1/DIMM1:

Size: 4 GB

Type: DDR3

Speed: 1333 MHz

Status: OK

Manufacturer: 0x80AD

BANK 0/DIMM0 and BANK 1/DIMM0:

Size: Empty

Type: Empty

Speed: Empty

Status: Empty

Manufacturer: Empty

Part Number: Empty

Serial Number: Empty

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 3.4 GHz Intel Quad-Core i7 mid-2011

Posted on Nov 20, 2013 9:51 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Nov 20, 2013 9:56 PM in response to alp1116

You should stay with the RAM specs specified and supported by Apple for your model.

Here are the specs for your model:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-3.4-27-inch-alumin um-mid-2011-thunderbolt-specs.html

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Answer 2

alp1116 Author

Level 1

60 points

Nov 22, 2013 2:04 AM in response to babowa

Why? The Genius at my local Apple store said that theoretically my iMac could go to 32 Gb, meaning it could use four of the 8 Gb 1600 MHz RAM. However, at Apple Online it says the iMac Spring 2011 needs to use the 4 Gb 1333 MHz RAM. My iMac came after Spring 2011 and before Winter 2012. The Winter 2012 iMac can use the 8 Gb RAM. It makes no sense to me that I should have to use slower old technology RAM if my iMac was built to accomodate the faster RAM.

I read the article in the link that you provided and it specifically stated that:

4 GB

Maximum RAM:

32 GB*

Details:

By default, 4 GB of RAM is installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.

*Officially, this model supports four 4 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory. However, third-parties have discovered that it actually will support 32 GB of memory using four 8 GB modules.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Nov 22, 2013 8:03 AM in response to alp1116

Your Mac is a spring 2011 model - it doesn't matter when you bought it. As long as it isn't the late 2012 model, the specs of the earlier model apply.

You may be able to go to 32 GB since OWC tested it, but you need to stay with the speed and latency/the exact specs supported by your hardware which, in this case, is the 1333Mhz. You can do a search here; I believe there were some threads where people put in RAM of different specs; if I remember correctly, it may work, but it will only use the supported 1333 Mhz, not the 1600.

FWIW, if I were to go above the total supported by Apple, I would only buy it from OWC since they tested it and will guarantee it. They will also sell you only the RAM which is appropriate for your model.

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Answer 4

alp1116 Author

Level 1

60 points

Jan 30, 2014 4:18 PM in response to babowa

I tried the newer 16 GB of Apple 1600MHz DDR3 (PC3-12800) memory in my iMac mid-2011. Local Apple Genius installed it. Some performance improvement but not much.

I replaced it with 32 GB of OWC 1333MHz DDR3 (PC3-10600) memory (I returned the newer 16 GB Apple memory to Apple) and much better performance. Plus I got 32 GB of the OWC memory for the same price as 16 GB of the Apple memory and my Apple warranty is still in tact.

Really appreciate the OWC info you gave me babowa! Thanks!

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