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Level 1

5 points

memory upgrade question

Hi friends . . . I have a simple question I'd like to ask. I just spent money I didn't have for an iMac and a retail version of Photoshop . . . but I would soon like to upgrade to at least 1 gig from the 512 memory that came with the machine. I have the 1.83 GHz version and when I go to the Apple store to check on memory price, I'm only offered 1 or 2 gig options. The 1 gig is two sticks of 512. Does that mean I must discard the 512 that was factory installed? I've never upgraded memory myself . . . but am I missing something ? Doesn't Apple offer a duplicate 512 stick that I can add to the one I now have for a 1 Gig total? I would prefer to purchase from Apple and not another party. Thanks again for any suggestions or advice.

iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 17", Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Apr 13, 2007 10:17 AM

Best reply

Glorfindeal

Level 6

9,330 points

Posted on Apr 13, 2007 10:25 AM

I you insist on purchasing through apple, then select the iMac Core Duo option under memory. You will be able to purchase a 512MB sodimm from that option. The memory used in all the iMac intel versions is exactly the same so you won't have any problems with it.

Glor

View in context

54 replies

May 18, 2007 1:02 AM in response to daystar297

I'm jumping in without reading the 3 pages of posts, but you know the matched pair performance gain, is really negligible. You won't notice it and certainly more ram will be much much more noticeable. I wouldn't lose sleep about matched ram pairs. If you use 3 gb you won't have matched pairs, but when you're running photoshop with lightroom or aperture, itunes, and internet etc. you'll be very happy for the extra ram.

dread

Level 1

41 points

May 19, 2007 5:25 PM in response to Dah•veed

I've been following this post and am thinking of upgrading from 1GB to 2, and just wanted to confirm something: I have an early 2006 iMac but it kinda looks like just about everyone in this thread has CoreDuo machines; does that make any difference? Can I use the CoreDuo RAM that you link to? Thanks!

Dah•veed

Level 9

64,729 points

May 19, 2007 8:46 PM in response to dread

The Early 2006 iMac is the Intel Core Duo. The Mid 2006 is also. The late 2006 is an Intel Core 2 Duo.
If you have any doubt go to the Apple menu and select About This Mac. What does it say for the processor?

dread

Level 1

41 points

May 20, 2007 10:13 AM in response to Dah•veed

oops! you're right of course. Sometimes the best help is having someone show you what's right in front of you...thanks! 2GB's here I come!

May 20, 2007 2:37 PM in response to daystar297

As the poster of the original question, I'm certain
now that the answer appears not as simple as I first
assumed. I still would like a clear summary gleaned
from all of the responses . . . for myself in
particular and for others who may be generally
confused. For my specific model - the base iMac
Intel Core 2 Duo 17" 1.83 GHz (purchased this past
month), would it be an acceptable option to add a 1
Gig module to my factory installed 512 for an
unmatched total of 1.5 gigs . . . or would an
additional matching 512 be the safest and most
efficient way to upgrade my memory? Thanks for all
the responses that my "simple" question has generated
. . .

The safest and most effective way would be to spend the unbelievable low price crucial is offering for its 2gb (1gb X 2) kit and just replace your ram.

May 26, 2007 7:41 PM in response to dread

Get them while they're hot!!!! $38.90 per 1GB Corsair RAM plus $10 mail-in-rebate! (2GB Upgrade for $60-$80 depending on shipping!). The rebate ends Monday the 28th!

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=90054

Daring Fireball blog had this posted!

Jun 2, 2007 8:11 AM in response to daystar297

I have a 2.16 C2D iMac and just put in a 1 gig and 2 gig ($128.00 from transintl.com) in my iMac for a total of 3 gigs, with no apparent woes. As stated by David Austin (thank you so much, I looked everywhere for this info) the largest chip should be put in the slot closest to the display.

As for Dual Channel... the speed shows as 667 MHz on both chips, so I assume it is running in Dual Channel, or I need another way to monitor his besides system profiler. If you look in System Profiler you will see each slot is configured as it's own Bank. From what I've read about Dual Channel each Bank (not slot) must be using matching pairs. So my question would be, is the iMac configured such that matching pairs mean nothing, since each slot is it's own bank? It seems so.

Anyways, a 1 and 2 gig work fine together... do it!

Jun 2, 2007 10:37 PM in response to Arizona Nature

From everything I have read, the IntelMacs C2D do not use dual channeling RAM. I believe it was one of the last PPC or very first Intels that will get a bump with dual channel.

Jun 3, 2007 4:23 AM in response to daystar297

If it were me, I would look at the 2 x 1gb kits from crucial or corsair. They are extremely cheap and with your particular model will be better than 1.5 GB because of your built in graphic's processor. Its actually cheaper doing that way than buying ram from apple and 2 gb will make you iMac very happy.

memory upgrade question