Installing RAM in pairs

Question

Level 1

0 points

Installing RAM in pairs

Hi there,
I have a 17" low-end (1.88 GHz) iMac and desperately need to upgrade its RAM from the 512 MB it came with to something higher. I know that the iMac actually has two 256 MB RAM modules installed and that Apple recommends you install RAM in pairs.

When they say this, do they mean I should install two identical RAM modules at once, or just have two RAM modules installed at the same time? I want some more RAM, but I don't have a ton of money and I was only considering buying either a single 512 MB module or one at 1 GB. If I install either of these with one of the included 256 MB RAM modules, will everything work fine?

Thanks for your help in advance.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 1.88 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Posted on Mar 6, 2007 3:02 PM

Reply

Answer 1

lenn5

Level 4

2,537 points

Mar 6, 2007 3:31 PM in response to Konstantino

If you want a added performance boost then you need to install the ram in matched pairs. Like 2 512mb sticks or 2 1gig sticks. You iMac will work fine if you install miss matched pairs like 1 256meg stick and 1 1gig chip. The low end iMac is really the only iMac that will benifit alot from matched pairs because it is the only iMac to have intel integrated video and shares the system memory.

lenn

Reply

Answer 2

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Mar 6, 2007 4:10 PM in response to Konstantino

to spend less, consider buying on eBay some other Intel Mac owner's RAM that's been pulled out. Make sure you buy privately, not from some big powerseller. Try to buy what's been pulled close to new as possible.

Reply

Answer 3

Konstantino Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 6, 2007 4:26 PM in response to lenn5

Why won't the iMac benefit if the RAM isn't installed in pairs?

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 6, 2007 5:12 PM in response to Konstantino

There is a small boost in the 3D performance of the Intel GMA950 graphics chipset if you add RAM in matched pairs, but it is not required that you do so.

Reply

Answer 5

lenn5

Level 4

2,537 points

Mar 6, 2007 7:03 PM in response to Konstantino

The pairs have to be "matched." As in same amount of ram on both. If you want to upgrade your iMac to 1gig of ram then going with 2 512meg sticks would be a wise choice.

lenn

Reply