Richard0102

Q: Can I use RAM from a 2012 mac mini in a 2010 iMac?

Hello,

 

I have recently upgraded the RAM in a family member's 'late 2012' mac mini from 2 x 4GB to 2 x 8Gb, which means I now have two 4Gb modules spare.  I also have an older, (mid 2010) 27" iMac, which has 4 x 2Gb RAM modules. 

 

Can I replace two of the 2Gb modules in the iMac with the two 4Gb modules from the mac mini to increase its performance a bit?  (it's no longer my main machine, but I do still use it, and it doesn't look like I'll get much for the ex mini modules on eBay!)

 

Looking at the specifications, The 2010 mac needs PC3-10600 (1333MHz) DDR3 SDRAM 204-pin SO-DIMM, whereas the ex mac mini modules are PC3-12800 (1600MHz) DDR3 204-pin SO-DIMM.  It looks to me like the mac mini modules can run at a faster speed than the iMac needs, but on the assumption that exceeding the requirements may not be an issue, will they work?   Would I be risking any damage (to the iMac or the modules) if I gave them a try? In other words, what's the worst that can happen? 


Any advice/experience gratefully received!


Richard.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jan 5, 2016 9:34 AM

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Q: Can I use RAM from a 2012 mac mini in a 2010 iMac?

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 5, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Richard0102
    Level 10 (271,052 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 5, 2016 9:43 AM in response to Richard0102

    Hard to tell, but using RAM that is different from specs is always a gamble. RAM rated faster than required may work. You can try them. If there is a problem you will be alerted by the OS probably when you try to boot.

     

    There should not be any issues with the RAM not working. It will not, or should not, damage the computer.

  • by Dr.Mac.,

    Dr.Mac. Dr.Mac. Jan 5, 2016 12:27 PM in response to Richard0102
    Level 3 (636 points)
    Jan 5, 2016 12:27 PM in response to Richard0102

    The 27" iMac requires PC3-10600 (1333MHz). You should not use the mac mini PC3-12800 (1600MHz) modules.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jan 5, 2016 2:04 PM in response to Dr.Mac.
    Level 10 (271,052 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 5, 2016 2:04 PM in response to Dr.Mac.

    Why?

  • by Dr.Mac.,Helpful

    Dr.Mac. Dr.Mac. Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 3 (636 points)
    Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Kappy

    The 27" iMac requires PC3-10600 (1333MHz) .  Occasionally the out-of-spec memory will not down-clock correctly and it won't be recognized and the iMac won't  start up. For the memory specifications  see Apple Support

  • by woodmeister50,Solvedanswer

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Richard0102
    Level 5 (5,517 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Richard0102

    Using higher speed RAM in a computer specified with a slower bus

    will not in itself speed up the computer.  The added amount of RAM

    can help by allowing more applications and their data to be loaded into

    memory, increasing efficiency.

     

    With that said, Macs are fairly notorious for being fussy about RAM.  Using

    RAM that is different than that specified for a particular Mac model is

    mostly a crapshoot.  My experience has given 3 outcomes:

    1.  The Mac will not even boot.

    2.  The Mac may run, however be very unstable.

    3.  The Mac will run just fine.

     

    You will likely not damage anything, but keep in mind, sometimes OS X upgrades

    can change a case 3 to a case 2.  I personally experienced this and when replaced

    with properly specified RAM, case 2 was resolved (the RAM itself was good).

  • by Richard0102,

    Richard0102 Richard0102 Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to woodmeister50
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM in response to woodmeister50

    Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and advice. 

     

    Well, I decided to give it a try and ... case 3 it seems ... it's working, with no apparent instability (yet at least).

     

    I didn't expect the new RAM to run at its higher-rated speed, and indeed I don't expect to see much of a performance boost at all from this, but the iMac now has 12Gb instead of 8, and some apps (photo editing) do seem to be making use of it. 

     

    Thanks again.