I have a mid 2007 iMac that has served me well, but is getting slower and slower. It has 2-1GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, one in each slot. Can I replace each of the 1GB's with 2GB's and will it hep me with the speed?
Thanks
CAP2799
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Yes
OWC has a 4GB kit for $36, plus even a 6GB kit for your iMac.
see > http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo
Yes
OWC has a 4GB kit for $36, plus even a 6GB kit for your iMac.
see > http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo
According to http://mactracker.ca database, your described iMac Mid 2007 can use:
Maximum Memory 6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots 2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM
There are two models described as Mid 2007, this is 24-inch:
Introduced August 2007
Discontinued April 2008
Model Identifier iMac7,1
Model Number A1225
EMC 2134
Order Number MA878LL
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo (T7700) or Core 2 Extreme (X7900)
Processor Speed 2.4 or 2.8 GHz
Architecture 64-bit
• The other is 20-inch:
Introduced August 2007
Discontinued April 2008
Model Identifier iMac7,1
Model Number A1224
EMC 2133
Order Number MA876LL (2.0 GHz), MA877LL (2.4 GHz)
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo (T7300, T7700) ("Merom")
Processor Speed 2.0 or 2.4 GHz
Architecture 64-bit
• Install memory in an iMac - Apple Support
The memory upgrade to a total of 6GB would place one 4-GB chip and
one 2- GB chip in the two slots to arrive at the total. Some may suggest
to install two 4-GB chips as that may allow small gains w dual channel
data, even if only 6GB would be used with a full 8GB in-chip, installed.
According to OWC macsales, they show 6GB total for the iMac.7.1:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac/Intel_Core_2_Duo
Check on this even if it doesn't imply memory implication:
iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3 -- for your model (either mid 2007)
The computer may have (or had) a firmware update at some point. IF
that were applied already then there shouldn't be an upgrade concern.
The computer may also see an improvement with a replacement new
hard drive or other compatible modern storage drive. (see owc)
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
Should you need to know anything else, feel free to ask.
I may not be the first to post but details take time to find.
In this case, it was a tie; and you shouldn't need more.
Good luck in any event...! 😐
K Shaffer;
Thank-you for this reply. It was very helpful. I do have one followup question though. You mention "to install two 4-GB chips as that may allow small gains" in your note. I don't really understand this, but if I upgrade to 2-4GB chips will I see more than just a small gain?
Thanks
Cap2799
After some checking & research, your model is best not pushed past 6GB.
I've done a check on the back-story of the hardware differences to verify.
The hardware does not appreciate it; but a fair gain with the 2 and 4 chips
if of high quality (slightly faster in-chip speed) can be had from OWC &
a few Mac-centric sources of quality parts. -- The specs read the same.
{Because of the dual-channel processor & memory connections in certain
Intel-Macs, the matching pairs of RAM chips did add a slight gain in speed.
Usually in early Intel Cores where 3GB total upgrade was between two slots
the gain with matching spec 2x 2GB total modules saw an increase in speed.}
While some later (2009) models could use the higher rounded RAM total;
and very early 2006 models in specified situations, could also. Not yours.
If you may consider a quicker machine, an SSD upgrade could be a means:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/SSD/Mercury_Electra_3G_Solid_Sta te
Your model may also be considered an iMac (intel) Rev C build series...
Here is a quote, from a database I found: (+ link to the page itself follows)
"...The Macs in the chart above listing 6 GB maximums will take one 4 GB plus one 2 GB, but two 4 GB modules crash the machine as soon as the OS tried to access more than 4096 MB of memory. The exceptions are the Early 2009 iMacs (not education model) and the Early 2009 MacBook Pro (except 2.4GHz) which can each take two 4 GB SODIMMs for a maximum of 8GB and, to some extent, the Late 2007 MacBook and later and the Mid 2007 MacBook Pro and later which can take one 4GB SODIMM along with one 2GB SODIMM for a maximum of 6GB..."
Site may have dated content; still OK for older hardware spec:
http://guides.macrumors.com/Understanding_Intel_Mac_RAM
So the first information is correct; both first posts, arriving here same time.
Variables have been checked and the best is to not upgrade the OS X
if the system doesn't like only 6GB RAM, unless you also seek an SSD.
And if you do consider a solid-state drive, check to be sure there is no
issue with the thermal sensor that in some needs to be attached for the
cooling fans to know not to run full speed at no-load idle. see OWC...
Thought I'd get back to you, though a bit late (near 12:30PM local time)
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
Is a 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM the correct memory expansion for an iMac mid 2007
