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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

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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
54 replies

Apr 13, 2007 11:46 AM in response to SteveLamb0

Sorry for my ignorance, but because I've never upgraded memory before my anxiety begs me ask another simple question. I can afford the upgrades for 1 gig at Other World and Crucial - both at about half the Apple store price. But I've also read that Apple suggests both slots be matching. Does that mean I shouldn't add the 1 Gig to my factory installed 512 for a total of 1.5? Can one slot have 512 and the other 1 Gig without compromising performance? Sorry to bother again . . . thanks

Apr 13, 2007 12:19 PM in response to SteveLamb0

Matched RAM increases the throughput of data from the RAM to the processor, but I wouldn't be too worried about it. We're only talking an increase of a few percent. 2 x 512 MB will be slightly faster than 1 x 1 GB, but 1.5 GB is certainly preferable to 1 GB. The extra 512 MB will increase your performance more than using matched pairs ever will.

There are professional applications (such as video rendering) where an increase of a few percent will make a big difference, but most home users won't notice a huge increase in performance (if they notice it at all).

Apr 14, 2007 1:34 AM in response to daystar297

I just wanted to chime in that I have also been searching for RAM for my new iMac... and came across this ebay posting. I'm not sure if the the 1.83ghz can go upto 3gb, I don't see why not... $265 for 3gb uggrade! There is also 1-2gb as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3GB-DDR2-OPTIVAL-RAM-MEMORY-UPGRADE-APPLE-IMAC-INTEL_W0QQite mZ180106094835QQihZ008QQcategoryZ80037QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you do go this route, please let us know how your install went, I'm still on the fence about whether upgrading is too hasty (as my iMac is running beachball/pinwheel free =D)

Apr 14, 2007 12:08 PM in response to Darksol360

"I'm not sure if the the 1.83ghz can go upto 3gb, I don't see why not..."

Hi Darksol360!
1.) The 1.83 GHz C2D iMac has a different logic board than your iMac C2D has.

2.) 3GB is not spec'd for that iMac model. The Apple Support article Intel-based iMac: Installing and replacing memory (RAM) is quite specific that:

"The maximum amount of RAM you can install in the ... iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD) is 2 GB total (a 1 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two slots). The maximum amount of RAM you can install in the iMac (Late 2006) models other than the one mentioned above is 4 GB total ..."

3.) There will always be someone willing to sell something you can't use. You're the one left holding the bag, not the seller:))

Message was edited by: myhighway

Apr 14, 2007 1:17 PM in response to myhighway

Ah yes, I do remember that now about the 1.83... I think it's actually why I went up a notch, due to these limitations (oh and the superdrive didn't hurt either).

Ok, so if the 4gb upgrade is done... will you see a downgrade vs the recommended 3gb max. I know it's all not available past 3gb, but its not like its hurting anything right?

I just saying if I had 2x2gb sticks already...

Apr 14, 2007 11:43 PM in response to daystar297

My two pesos!
The 1.83 17" iMac doesn't really have 512 MB of RAM available for the OS and apps because a minimum of 80 MB is used by the video card. You have even less as the video demand increases, such as when using Photoshop. CS2 will need to use Rosetta as well.
You are kind of wasting money if you put in more RAM than the iMac specs call for because, for instance, the 1.83 GHz 17" model can only address a maximum of 2 GB of physical RAM and the other models can only address a maximum of three GB.
Apple recommends that when you seat mismatched RAM modules, that the larger of the two be seated in the RAM slot closest to the display.

memory upgrade question

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