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
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).
Posted on Jan 7, 2016 11:40 AM