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Q: Maximum ram mid 2016 iMac 27"

I am purchasing the iMac 27" loaded. However, I may not Max the ram at time of purchase due to prices of ram being less expensive elsewhere. I noticed that Apple will only put 32G ram in from factory. I have read elsewhere that the machines Max is actually 64G. Which is it... 32 or 64 G max?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Jul 30, 2016 8:50 PM

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Q: Maximum ram mid 2016 iMac 27"

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  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Jul 30, 2016 9:01 PM in response to Slacktop
    Level 10 (311,930 points)
    Jul 30, 2016 9:01 PM in response to Slacktop

    64GB.

     

    (143743)

  • by macjack,Helpful

    macjack macjack Jul 30, 2016 9:17 PM in response to Slacktop
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 30, 2016 9:17 PM in response to Slacktop

    Hi Slacktop, you can check that with the advisory tool in Crucial, or OWC. IMHO 64GB would be overkill, 32 GB is more than enough to run the most memory hungry apps.

  • by Slacktop ,

    Slacktop Slacktop Jul 30, 2016 9:05 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 9:05 PM in response to Niel

    Thank you so much Niel. That really helps my buying options on purchase. I will max out the unit and take the default 8 G ram from Apple and upgrade to 64G after I get the unit. Any suggestions as to which company to purchase the ram kit from? I am currently browsing http://macmemory.com

     

    Thanks again!

    slacktop

  • by Slacktop ,

    Slacktop Slacktop Jul 30, 2016 9:15 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 9:15 PM in response to macjack

    HI macjack!

     

    wow what a helpful community! Well Yes 64G may be overkill for most apps but I plan on doing

    hheavy audio mixing/ mastering in my studio with a loaded up 24 channel board. I guess I could give it a go with 32G and see what gives. I plan on connecting the presonus-studio-live-ai-24-ch. I am very excited about purchasing my very first Mac! I come from the UNIX/ Linux world so the stability should be right up my alley! I've used Slackware Linux since 1994. Also AT&T main frame UNIX since 1990. Mac was naturally my next big purchase.

     

    Thanks everyone!

    Slacktop

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 30, 2016 9:16 PM in response to Slacktop
    Level 7 (31,893 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2016 9:16 PM in response to Slacktop

    As Macs are extremely finicky about their RAM, you should consider one of the two most recommended RAM vendors here: Crucial or OWC (macsales.com):

     

    https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/iMac

     

    32 GB should really be more than enough.

  • by Slacktop ,

    Slacktop Slacktop Jul 30, 2016 9:22 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 9:22 PM in response to macjack

    I think I will need to know if the DAW (studio one - which comes with the presonus mixer) plus the audio streams and all of the above will create a workload to justify 64G... Then again I am pretty sure the more the merrier with pro audio. Then again... Will the iMac actually utilize the 64G when needed?

  • by mattwithcats,

    mattwithcats mattwithcats Jul 30, 2016 10:01 PM in response to Slacktop
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 10:01 PM in response to Slacktop

    I would order it with two 8 gigabyte memory chips, 16 gigs total...

     

    This will leave two slots open,

    which you can fill with two 8 gig or two 16 gig at a later time...

     

    I have used Data Memory Systems for over ten years...

    http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-imac-intel-memory-upgrades/

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 31, 2016 12:56 AM in response to Slacktop
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2016 12:56 AM in response to Slacktop

    Slacktop wrote:

     

    I think I will need to know if the DAW (studio one - which comes with the presonus mixer) plus the audio streams and all of the above will create a workload to justify 64G... Then again I am pretty sure the more the merrier with pro audio. Then again... Will the iMac actually utilize the 64G when needed?

    As I said before I don't think you'll use 64. What matwithcats is suggesting makes a lot of sense and you can upgrade if you feel you need it.