Is it worth it to upgrade iMac 2008?

I would say yes on upgrading RAM to 6GB and no to any other upgrades. The machine is 7 years old and while it may work OK today, it's still a 7 year old machine. While a SSD will speed up start-up, shut-down, app and file opening and closing that is all it will do and the cost of these while falling is still more expensive than conventional HD's. Upgrade the RAM and then begin saving for a newer machine....perhaps even a Mac Mini.

The real bottleneck of what you have is your 2 GB of memory. That's just not enough memory to run Yosemite most systems. That model is certified by Apple for 4 GB of memory but has been tested by memory vendors successfully at 6 GB.

I'd get the 4 GB model (from Crucial.com) and go that route. #2. It's only $62 from Crucial which is the most reliable memory provider for Macs.

I've had no experience in upgrading a Mac to an SSD but depending on what you play to use the iMac for it might be a bit of overkill.

I would try the memory upgrade first and see if the improvement is sufficient for your intended use.

Add the maximum amount of memory possible. You now have two 1 GB modules. Replace with a 2 GB and 4 GB module. If you choose to add an SSD then stick to OWC's 3G Mercury models, or any other compatible SSD that uses the SandForce controller. TRIM is not required.

Yes. Add the 4 GB module. Then erase the drive and install Snow Leopard unless you really need to have Yosemite.

. I can get the 4GB module for $102 on Amazon.com. Does everyone think this is the best option?

The best option overall but not the best option for purchasing the RAM module. It's cheaper at Crucial.com and Crucial has the best reputation for reliability and customer support when it comes to memory for the Mac. otherworldcomputing.com is next for Mac memory.

Two-fold. I have a statement and I would like a "technical" opinion from someone knowledgeable about RAM memory.

#1 - The consensus of opinion among the many, many on-line sources that I have read, is: 'Yes the iMac (Early 2008) 20" or 24" can accept a total of 6GB RAM (2+4) and will recognize the 6GB and will (supposedly) result in "some" increase in performance but one has to decide if the cost (of the RAM) warrants this limited improvement in working with more memory intensive applications like Photoshop and perhaps audio editing software. Most people on these posts recommend buying the 2+4 RAM kit from OWC but............... on to my #2 question.

#2 - Okay, I am not an expert on memory modules but here is what I found. Crucial (and Apple) specs for the EARLY 2008 iMac as follows:

4GB kit (2GBx2) DDR2 PC2-6400 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.8V 256Meg x 64 -•DDR2-800 MHz

OWC on the other hand, is selling a "kit" (2+4) and the specs on their RAM are: 2.0GB + 4.0GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz 200 Pin. Although OWC doesn't indicate whether this is buffered or unbuffered (but more than likely, unbuffered).

Now from what I have read and studied, DDR2-800 is faster than DDR2 667 in respect to transferring memory. It is my thinking (or suspicion) that this is how OWC gets by with using 6GB RAM in the subject iMac.............it's transfer rate is slower and accordingly memory is fed through the "pipe line" to the CPU at a slower rate . So my question is; is one really receiving the benefit of "faster" processing or merely gaining a few more gigs of memory which only memory intensive applications can benefit from? Or........should one buy the Crucial module which has a faster transfer rate but then the question is, can the bus transfer in this particular computer actually handle and/or utilize a faster rate of transfer - that is the question.

BTW - I am working with an 24" Early 2008 - 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, running OS X 10.6.8

If you recheck OWC you'll find that the memory modules for your iMac 8,1 model are the800MHz type, not the 667.

Both the 20 and 24" early 2008 iMacs take 200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM modules. I'd go to Crucial.com, download their memory app and use it to find out what module you'll need. If you have a 2 GB modules already in your Mac then all you need is a 4 GB module to replace one of them.

If you want to find out more about the specs for you Mac download and use MacTracker. It's a wealth of info about all Mac models.

Old Toad wrote:

If you recheck OWC you'll find that the memory modules for your iMac 8,1 model are the800MHz type, not the 667.

Both the 20 and 24" early 2008 iMacs take 200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM modules. I'd go to Crucial.com, download their memory app and use it to find out what module you'll need. If you have a 2 GB modules already in your Mac then all you need is a 4 GB module to replace one of them.

If you want to find out more about the specs for you Mac download and use MacTracker. It's a wealth of info about all Mac models.

Thanks for the reply but I have to say - the more information I get, the more confused I become.... You're saying my model iMac takes; PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM modules but according to my System Profiler (and the people at Crucial) my model iMac takes, DDR2 SDRAM, not SO-DIMMs. And as far as OWC goes, I have gotten conflicting information (specs). If I do a search under my model ID 8,1 this does indicate 800MHz but if I do a search under "Early 2008 iMac" this sends me to 2.0GB + 4.0GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz 200 Pin. I am under the impression my iMac is an Early 2008 model and also found that the model ID 8,1 does indicate an Early 2008 model...........so why do these two search criteria return different results???

As far as the Crucial specs, I obtained these specs (as shown above) from a "supposed" tech on a chat line.

I did go to MacTracker but, frankly, I didn't find much information at all on this site. MacTracker doesn't have any kind of Search field for searching out info and what is on their site is very limited info (unless I missed or overlooked something).

Bottom line: I am almost 100% certain about the type & specs of the memory I need - the only thing I am confused about is the conflicting information I am getting (you say, SO-DIMM memory modules - Crucial, OWC and Apple say, SDRAM memory modules). Then OWC shows two different memory specs for the same make, model and year computer.......one search shows, DDR2 667MHz, another search shows, DDR2 800MHz. Very confusing, to me.......

You need to download the MacTracker app and run it. It'll show this about your 8,1:

OWC gives reports the same for the 8,1 model: 800MHz type

Crucial also reports 800MHz for the 8,1:

Crucial has an excellent reputation regarding compatibility and offers a money back or replacement guarantee. OWC does also I'm told.

That about all I can tell you about it.

Thanks much Old Toad - for both, the information as well as having patients with an "old Mac user" like me. With all the sound information and testimonials from folks like you and a few others, I have decided to get the 4GB memory module and upgrade my tired old Mac to 6GB. This may not show a huge improvement but hopefully it will breath a little more life into my iMac. I found a 4GB module at Crucial and although they will not guarantee the RAM (if they know I am installing it in an Early iMac) but for $119.99 I figure I won't have much to lose. Since I already purchased 4GB (2+2) ram from Crucial a long time ago for this computer, the 4GB should match up fine. Better than spending $135.00 for the 4+2 kit from OWC.

btw - I did download Mac Tracker. Thanks for the tip.

Old Toad wrote:

If you recheck OWC you'll find that the memory modules for your iMac 8,1 model are the800MHz type, not the 667.

Both the 20 and 24" early 2008 iMacs take 200-pin PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM modules. I'd go to Crucial.com, download their memory app and use it to find out what module you'll need. If you have a 2 GB modules already in your Mac then all you need is a 4 GB module to replace one of them.

If you want to find out more about the specs for you Mac download and use MacTracker. It's a wealth of info about all Mac models.

Thanks for the reply but I have to say - the more information I get, the more confused I become.... You're saying my model iMac takes; PC2-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM modules but according to my System Profiler (and the people at Crucial) my model iMac takes, DDR2 SDRAM, not SO-DIMMs. And as far as OWC goes, I have gotten conflicting information (specs). If I do a search under my model ID 8,1 this does indicate 800MHz but if I do a search under "Early 2008 iMac" this sends me to 2.0GB + 4.0GB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz 200 Pin. I

SDRAM refers to the Type of RAM. As in Synchronous Dynamic RAM.

SO-DIMM refers to the type of Module. i.e DIMM or SODIMM. SO- or Small Outline means its a laptop sized module rather than desktop sized one.

All Macs take SO-DIMMS due to space considerations.

I can speak with some authority now that I recently installed a 4GB (while keeping the one 2GB) module already in my iMac. Just so anyone reading this has an overview of my system and what software I am using, as follows: Computer: EARLY 2008 iMac, running OS X 10.6.8. Still using Adobe CS4, which includes: PS, Illustrator, InDesign and a few other apps. Also still using AppleWorks 6+ (primarily the A/W data base which I could never do without - over 3000 records and MS Office mac 2008........plus a whole bunch of PS plug-ins: Topaz, nik Complete 4.0, Photomatix Pro 5.0. I also have a 3TB external HD connected to my iMac and the external HD has a complete OS loaded in it (again, OS X 10.6.8) so I can boot up from either my internal or external HD.

......and oh, btw - I keep my computer in top shape using DiskWarrior and ONYX.

Bottom line: Does Photoshop run faster or more efficiently with 6GB memory? Well the answer is yes and no. Yes, I seem to be handle larger files more efficinetly with the increased ram but as far as running faster, this is "iffy". Actually some functions like using the Shadows & Highlights controls actually seems to behave more erratically. Also I note some other strange things happening whether real or imaginary??? A lot of times my attempts to 'copy & paste' lines of text don't seem to respond - why??? As far as the new version of nik Complete application, it runs just as slow. This is primarily due to the fact that the new version boots up in the 32-bit mode (the older version booted in the 16-bit mode). Yes, I can work a little more efficiently with several apps running simultaneously but is it really worth the $120 + tax that I spent for the Crucial memory chip - questionable.

Let's face it folks, in "computer years" the EARLY 2008 iMac is a about 25 years old. It's real difficult to expect miracles out of an old machine......take it from me. I'm 70 years old and Geritol don't make me run any faster 😉 If you got an older Mac and about $200 laying around, the extra ram won't harm your computer but don't expect anything too exciting..............