24" iMac and 3GB RAM limit issues

I have a legitimate concern with the 24" iMac and wanted to know if anyone else thinks it's an issue. Read Apple's tech note on late model 2006 iMacs including the new 24" model.

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/HWTechRAM/Articles/RAM_implementation.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40003899-DontLinkElem entID5

In order to use RAM in an interleaved fashion it states you must use matched pairs. Meaning same size and type. SO.....if the new iMacs will take a 2GB SO-DIMM then why won't it register 4GB total? You can configure your new iMac with 3GB of RAM but it won't be interleaved. On top of that 2GB SO-DIMMs are super expensive in the +$700 range. More then MacPro's FB-DIMMs.

I don't see anyone talking about this but it seems to be a legitimate concern.

Dual 2GHz G5, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Sep 14, 2006 12:22 PM

19 replies

Sep 20, 2006 11:27 PM in response to voyager99

It is probably best that you start a new topic since your question is different from the one in this topic.

The RAM module you reference is Kingston Value RAM which is not certified by Kingston to be Mac compatible. Their "KTA" line of RAM is.

The module number KTA-MB667/1G is the one their online configurator shows is the recommended stick for the 24" iMacs.

My advice is to return it, eat the restocking fee if there is one, and purchase the correct RAM.

Sep 21, 2006 4:44 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Sorry, just a slight misunderstanding. Is it common Apple habit to set "artificial limits"?(not allowing 4 GB but 3 GB for instance). The more I think of it, the more I begin to believe that Apple must have predicted iMacs with 4 GB of RAM from the beginning. Has anybody got a clue in this matter?

Sep 21, 2006 5:43 AM in response to pink_snow

Apple has done this in the past, so the answer is yes, but I wouldn't say it is common.

Glor

Sep 21, 2006 6:24 AM in response to kdawggie

It is possible that Apple technicians were worried that 2 X 2 GB sticks may give off too much heat for the iMac enclosure.

iMac Intel Core Duo 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1.5 GB ram

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

24" iMac and 3GB RAM limit issues