How much RAM can I install in a mid 2010 iMac? I bought a used mid 2010 iMac and I'm having the "Black Screen" issue. The previous owner has it with 20gb of RAM (2x2 and 2x8). It does say that it's using it but I'm seeing online that it maxes out at 16. What is correct?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.1.x), Running El Capitan
The 21.5" model can utilize 16 GB of RAM while the 27" model and use 32 GB. Which model do you have?
As for the black screen issue the following has helped some (but not all) users with that problem:
1 - reset the SMC:
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
- Press Command-Option-Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
- Put your Mac to sleep by clicking the Apple () menu and choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
- Restart your Mac by choosing Restart from the Apple menu.
- Shut down your Mac by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu.
- If your Mac isn't responding, force the computer to shut down by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds. Note that you'll lose any unsaved work in any open applications.
2 - reset the PRAM:
Boot with the Command + Option + P + R keys held down and continue holding until the second chime sounds before releasing.
A mid 2010 21.5 iMac can max out 16GB of RAM. I suspect the previous owner did not install the correct RAM when they upgraded. iMacs are very sensitive to RAM so if the incorrect RAM is installed or poor quality RAM is installed it will have problems. Remove the upgraded RAM (it came with 4GB from the factory) and try booting with the base RAM that came pre-installed.
It's an iMac 27. Perhaps there's a problem with the configuration. I've seen where one is not supposed to mix RAM size. It currently is running on 2x2 and 2x8. Perhaps if I tried just the 2x8? I have done a PRAM reset to no avail.
Also read about the problems that 2010 27" iMacs had with maxing out with third party RAM (16 GB) - I had one and left it at 12 GB total (the OEM 2 x 2 GB plus 2 x 4 GB from OWC). Basically, they were fine with 16 GB OEM RAM, but not with the same amount of third party RAM - here are links to a couple of very lengthy threads on it:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2567907
What is your imac models id#?
I'll have to check. Not near it right now.
Ok
Where do I find this ID#? Update: bought a wired Apple keyboard last night and just tried it tonight. Initially, the display stayed on longer but now it's going off again in a few minutes. Other developments; the keyboard shortcut will no longer put the iMac to sleep- it did with the wireless. I tried Hot Corners for the sleep thing and get this, they each only work once! Then you have to change corners. Then THAT one only works once, and so on. I'll probably try Caffeine but I really think it's the backlight board.
Click on the Apple (menu bar) > About this Mac > System Report > Hardware Overview should show something like this:
Says iMac 11.3
Your Mac specs are shown below.
| Maximum Memory | 32 GB (Core i5 or Core i7 Actual) 16 GB (Apple) Memory Slots | 4 - 204-pin PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
There are a couple of 11,3's - the max RAM supported is the same; here are the specs for one:
The maximum supported is 16 GB total and I'd recommend reading at least part of the two threads I linked to earlier as a lot of the 27" models had problems with 16 GB of third party RAM.
The max memory is 32GB (8GBX4) if your iMac has i5 or i7 processor .
Yeah mine has the i5 processor. It currently has 20gb of RAM but I was concerned about the mismatch- 2X2 and 2X8
The two most recommended RAM vendors here are OWC (macsales.com) or Crucial. I've never heard of either of the other two and would not know if they have lifetime warranties and have actually tested the RAM they sell with Macs.
How much RAM can I install in a mid 2010 iMac? Black Screen Issue
