fixnail
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Adding memory to an iMac

I'd like to increase the RAM in my iMac.  Currently 2 x 2 GB in one bank with the other empty.

Can I put 2 x 4 GB in the second and leave the existing  4 GB in place?

That is, are there any issues from different amounts of RAM in the different banks?

(I gather, from what I've read on other posts that the RAM should be matched within the bank, but I can't find info on whether it matters if the second bank is different, as long as it's matched).

Thanks.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8), 3.06 Ghz Intel Core i3

Posted on Mar 17, 2014 2:55 PM

by babowa,Solvedanswer
babowa babowa
Level 7 (32,347 points)
iPad
A:

mid-2010 iMacs have four slots and they are arranged 2 next to one another in 2 rows. One row will contain the two OEM (factory) RAM modules. When you get the additional RAM, simply insert those two modules in the two empty slots (which should be side by side). That is how they should be matched.

 

In the brand new iMac models, the banks are arranged vertically and you match the modules by inserting the same (matching) in slots 1 + 3, and in slots 2 + 4. I believe the OEM RAM are in 1 + 3 (but it doesn't matter; again, just add the additional RAM in the two empty slots).

 

OWC has exellent install videos:

 

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/

Posted on Mar 19, 2014 4:22 PM

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fixnail

Q: Adding memory to an iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Donald Morgan,

    Donald Morgan Donald Morgan Mar 17, 2014 3:24 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 6 (12,783 points)
    Mar 17, 2014 3:24 PM in response to fixnail

    I think this may be what you are after.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423?viewlocale=en_US

    Cheers and Good Luck.  Be sure you purchase Ram from Crucial or Other World Computing.

    Don

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Mar 17, 2014 3:27 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 9 (57,660 points)
    Mar 17, 2014 3:27 PM in response to fixnail

    Make sure the RAM you purchase comes w/a lifetime guarantee.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    AD Siggy.gif

  • by fixnail,

    fixnail fixnail Mar 19, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Donald Morgan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 1:25 PM in response to Donald Morgan

    Donald

     

    I had already looked at that article, but it didn't really answer the question that I have.

     

    On further looking I discovered that currently, there's 2 GB in each bank  ( I don't know how to insert a screen grab here.

     

    What the system profiler shows is

         Bank 0/DIMM0     Empty

         Bank 1/DIMM0     Empty

         Bank 0/DIMMO     2 GB

         Bank 1/DIMMO     2 GB

     

    Where do I put the new memory (2 x 4 GB)?  And how do I tell which is a Bank and which is a DIMM0 slot?

     

    And yes, I did order the memory from OWC, thanks to all the advice on these forums.

     

    Thanks in advance.

  • by Timothy Fink,Helpful

    Timothy Fink Timothy Fink Mar 19, 2014 2:10 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 2 (320 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 2:10 PM in response to fixnail

    Generally, you can have different memory sizes in separate banks, but the pairs should be equal. In other words, you can put 2 4Gb modules or 2 8Gb modules in the first 2 banks, and leave the 2 x 2s in there.

     

    When you open the door to add memory, you will see easily which slots are open and which are already occupied. Once you identify the model of your iMac, you can go to either Apple's support documents or OWC or Crucial's sites to find How-tos for adding memory.

     

    Good luck.

  • by fixnail,

    fixnail fixnail Mar 19, 2014 2:20 PM in response to Timothy Fink
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 2:20 PM in response to Timothy Fink

    Thanks.  This helps.

     

    Are the banks top to bottom, or side by side?

  • by MiiCK,

    MiiCK MiiCK Mar 19, 2014 3:51 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 1 (120 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 3:51 PM in response to fixnail

    Click this link. It shows you exactly how to do it for your particular model.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423?viewlocale=en_US#4

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Mar 19, 2014 3:54 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 9 (57,660 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 3:54 PM in response to fixnail

    In the link that Donald Morgan provided for you, click on your model iMac.  Scroll down to Additional notes.  Also, scroll further till you get to the "How to install" section which has detailed pictorial diagrams.  I believe the answer to your question lies at both places.  If not, research YouTube's how to tutorials for your model iMac.  Nothing like a video for detail instructions.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • by babowa,Solvedanswer

    babowa babowa Mar 19, 2014 4:22 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 7 (32,347 points)
    iPad
    Mar 19, 2014 4:22 PM in response to fixnail

    mid-2010 iMacs have four slots and they are arranged 2 next to one another in 2 rows. One row will contain the two OEM (factory) RAM modules. When you get the additional RAM, simply insert those two modules in the two empty slots (which should be side by side). That is how they should be matched.

     

    In the brand new iMac models, the banks are arranged vertically and you match the modules by inserting the same (matching) in slots 1 + 3, and in slots 2 + 4. I believe the OEM RAM are in 1 + 3 (but it doesn't matter; again, just add the additional RAM in the two empty slots).

     

    OWC has exellent install videos:

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/

  • by fixnail,

    fixnail fixnail Mar 19, 2014 4:31 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2014 4:31 PM in response to babowa

    Thanks babowa.

     

    This is the information I was looking for.

     

    Much appreciated.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Mar 19, 2014 6:13 PM in response to fixnail
    Level 7 (32,347 points)
    iPad
    Mar 19, 2014 6:13 PM in response to fixnail

    You're very welcome!