2 RAM sticks versus 4 ram sticks

Question

Level 1

9 points

2 RAM sticks versus 4 ram sticks

I have a mid-2011 27" iMac i5 with 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 RAM (from Crucial). I recently upgraded to Yosemite 10.10.5. I've noticed for some time now that some of my programs are slow to open, such as Office for Mac 2011, while other times I just see a generally slow response to changing websites, opening e-mail, etc. To be clearer, I get the rotating beachball more often. It lasts roughly 10-15 seconds on average before the program opens or changes. It's not the end of the world because it doesn't happen every time I open something or make changes. But it is a bit annoying. I can't confirm due to any testing, but it does appear the number of delays and slowdowns have increased since upgrading the OS.

My local Mac store suggested I consider upgrading my RAM due to some known performance issues with the Yosemite upgrade.

I have no issue with upgrading RAM but first would prefer to get input from the forum as to whether or not others have seen a correlation to Yosemite, slower operation and RAM.

If I do upgrade I'd like input as to whether or not I should just add two more 8gb RAM sticks, or switch to two 16gb sticks. to get to the 32gb level.

Thanks!

Posted on Aug 24, 2015 10:18 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 24, 2015 11:25 AM in response to Crash777

16 GB of RAM should be more than ample for running Yosemite. You likely

have some software or driver that has some Yosemite compatibility issues

that is causing your slowdown.

I have a 2011 13", 2.7GHz Macbook Pro and a 2011 Mini Server both with 16GB

installed and both run quite well and fast. The Mini Server is only an HTPC now

but the MBP I use with a lot of engineering apps and using Parallels Virtual Machines running

Windows10.

I suggest for a quick test, boot the machine in safe mode (hold down shift key at boot).

It will take a few moments longer to boot as it does some cleanup but once booted,

see if the slowness continues. This will disable any non-Apple drivers and startup apps

from running.

Reply

Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Aug 24, 2015 11:28 AM in response to Crash777

I agree that 16GB of RAM should be plenty. What I would recommend is posting an EtreCheck report of your system and we can look for obvious issues. You can find it by clicking http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck. Post the results in your next reply and we can tell you if anything obvious sticks out.

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Answer 3

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 11:51 AM in response to rkaufmann87

I ran the check in normal mode. Is it necessary to run it while in safe mode?

Problem description:

slow performance

EtreCheck version: 2.4.1 (137)

Report generated 8/24/15, 2:47 PM

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck

Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.

Hardware Information: (What does this mean?)

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) (Technical Specifications)

iMac - model: iMac12,2

1 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 4-core

16 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1

Empty

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information: (What does this mean?)

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1024 MB

iMac 2560 x 1440

System Software: (What does this mean?)

OS X 10.10.5 (14F27) - Time since boot: about 3 days

Disk Information: (What does this mean?)

WDC WD1001FALS-403AA0 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.35 GB (575.98 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5690H ()

USB Information: (What does this mean?)

Western Digital My Book 1140 2 TB

EFI (disk3s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

PSB Mac Master BackUp (disk3s2) /Volumes/PSB Mac Master BackUp : 2.00 TB (1.59 TB free)

HewLett Packard HP LaserJet 1200

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

PNY Technologies USB 3.0 FD

Apple Inc. iPhone

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Thunderbolt Information: (What does this mean?)

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper: (What does this mean?)

Mac App Store and identified developers

Kernel Extensions: (What does this mean?)

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_netpart (3.1.1 - SDK 10.6) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_usbpart (3.1.1 - SDK 10.6) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.usbpart (3.1.1 - SDK 10.7) [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.driver.LogMeInSoundDriver (1.0.0) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions/2.2.0/Belcarra.USBLAN_netpart.kext/Contents/Plug-Ins

[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.netpart.panther (1.6.3) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions/2.2.0/Belcarra.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/Plug-Ins

[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.usbpart.panther (1.6.3) [Click for support]

/System/Library/Extensions/2.2.0/RemoteControl.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/Plu g-Ins

[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.panther (1.6.2) [Click for support]

Launch Agents: (What does this mean?)

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.lexmark.bmlaunchd.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.lexmark.hbnlistener.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.lexmark.hostregister.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.lexmark.lexnetlaunchd.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.logmein.logmeingui.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagent.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinguiagentatlogin.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.wyse.MacCompanion.plist [Click for support]

Launch Daemons: (What does this mean?)

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.gopro.stereomodestatus.plist [Click for support]

[not loaded] com.logmein.logmeinserver.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]

[running] com.wyse.PocketCloud.plist [Click for support]

User Launch Agents: (What does this mean?)

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]

[running] com.amazon.music.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.apple.MobileMeSyncClientAgent.plist

[failed] com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncer.plist

[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]

User Login Items: (What does this mean?)

Garmin Express Service UNKNOWN (missing value)

Skype UNKNOWN (missing value)

Eye-Fi Helper Application (/Applications/Eye-Fi/Eye-Fi Helper.app)

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

Dropbox UNKNOWN (missing value)

Remote Desktop Connection Application (/Applications/Remote Desktop Connection.app)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

Spotify Application Hidden (/Applications/Spotify.app)

Microsoft Outlook Application (/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Microsoft Outlook.app)

Internet Plug-ins: (What does this mean?)

LogitechHarmony: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.0 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.2.0.16 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.15 [Click for support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 18.0.0.232 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 18.0.0.232 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.5.2 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.15 [Click for support]

GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.2.0.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 51 Check version

User internet Plug-ins: (What does this mean?)

Picasa: Version: 1.0 [Click for support]

3rd Party Preference Panes: (What does this mean?)

Flash Player [Click for support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]

GoPro [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]

Time Machine: (What does this mean?)

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 423.36 GB

Destinations:

PSB MAC BAC [Local]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 37

Oldest backup: 2015-08-10 02:29:26 +0000

Last backup: 2015-08-24 18:39:37 +0000

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 423.36 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: (What does this mean?)

2% fontd

2% WindowServer

0% taskgated

0% askpermissiond

Top Processes by Memory: (What does this mean?)

1.13 GB kernel_task

590 MB Safari

508 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(2)

475 MB softwareupdated

213 MB Finder

Virtual Memory Information: (What does this mean?)

8.47 GB Free RAM

7.52 GB Used RAM (2.89 GB Cached)

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: (What does this mean?)

Aug 21, 2015, 03:42:15 PM Self test - passed

Reply

Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Aug 24, 2015 12:05 PM in response to Crash777

Nothing unusual shows up and the amount of RAM you have installed seems fine based on what applications and processes were running when the report was run. I see you have a signifgant number of Internet Plugins, you should look into reducing those.

The only potential issue I saw was you have the AMD HD Radeon 6970 GPU installed, did you take advantage of iMac (27-inch): AMD Radeon 6970M Video Card Replacement Program - Apple Support? If you did not, you should consider taking it to an Apple Store to be diagnosed.

Reply

Answer 5

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 12:11 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks much!

I'll take a look at the plugins. How do I remove or disable them?

My display has been flawless so I don't see a reason to have it tested.

Reply

Answer 6

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 12:19 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Disregard - found the info. Sorry to trouble you.

Thanks again for your help.

Reply

Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Aug 24, 2015 12:21 PM in response to Crash777

The display may be causing your performance issues that is why I mentioned it.

Try using Safari 8 (Yosemite): If you need to remove a plug-in

Reply

Answer 8

Aug 24, 2015 12:52 PM in response to Crash777

My system is the late 2013 iMac 27" that has 8mB of ram installed.

Generally this system runs very well but like you I sometimes see that beach ball.

One things I do suggest is the clean up program that I used extensively on my now retired 2007 iMac

Its called Clean My Mac.

Reply

Answer 9

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 1:11 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I'll continue to monitor it but already it seems to be faster.

I'll get my local shop to check out the card.

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 10

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Aug 24, 2015 2:41 PM in response to Swabaxter

Swabaxter wrote:

My system is the late 2013 iMac 27" that has 8mB of ram installed.

Generally this system runs very well but like you I sometimes see that beach ball.

One things I do suggest is the clean up program that I used extensively on my now retired 2007 iMac

Its called Clean My Mac.

Most experienced users on these forums have knowledge of that product . It is considered malware and should be uninstalled immediately. OS X does not require any cleaning, antivirus or any other third party "maintenance" utilities.

Reply

Answer 11

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 2:57 PM in response to rkaufmann87

What's the consensus on AdwareMedic? That program was recommended on the etrecheck website.

Thanks

Reply

Answer 12

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,564 points

Aug 24, 2015 3:26 PM in response to Crash777

Crash777 wrote:

What's the consensus on AdwareMedic? That program was recommended on the etrecheck website.

Thanks

A good app!

Reply

Answer 13

Crash777 Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 24, 2015 5:11 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks - I'll check it out.

Reply

Answer 14

babowa

Level 9

78,574 points

Aug 24, 2015 6:35 PM in response to Crash777

FWIW, you do NOT want Clean my Mac or anything similar - these apps are completely superfluous and do what they claim to do: clean - they fail to mention that they clean out necessary system files as well. I would not allow it or anything like it within 100 ft of my Macs.

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