iMac - 2gb with 1gb of RAM

hwat memory · hwat memory #1 (**permalink**)

11-29-2008, 11:26 AM

I have an 20" aluminium imac, bought last March, with 2ghz & 1gb of memory in one slot with none in the other.

As i feel buying 2x 2gb cards is not worth the money for 4gb when i can get 3gb with just one 2gb card.

Can I just insert 2gb in one slot, keeping 1gb in the other, or do both slots need to be equal?

Also, is it worth it (i.e. maybe just an upgrade to 2gb, with 1gb in each slot)?

Thanks in Advance,

Harry

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

11-29-2008, 01:06 PM

It's better to populate both banks with the same memory. Not necessary, but it does add to the speed of the memory performance.

As far as how much you should purchase, I would purchase 2 x 2 GB modules even though your iMac will only be able to use approximately 3.3 GB of the memory. Go to Crucial and price the memory.

Memory upgrades, flash media, and usb storage at Crucial.com

Also read this Apple KB article.

iMac (All Models): Memory Specifications and Upgrades

Regards.

hwat memory · hwat memory #3 (**permalink**)

11-29-2008, 05:06 PM

Thanks for that, it's just that i'm on a budget and probably will not need 4gb but thought that as i already have a 1gb card in there, the best bang for the buck would be a 2gb card along with the existing one. Just wanted to check if there are significant performance drops having them uneven.

Chilbear · Chilbear #4 (**permalink**)

11-29-2008, 05:53 PM

Yes is the answer - I have 1x1 and 1x2 in my 24 inch iMac. Works fine.

hwat memory · hwat memory #5 (**permalink**)

11-30-2008, 05:28 AM

one last question.

Is OWC memory OK to use?

hwat memory #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 29, 2008 Posts: 3	11-29-2008, 11:26 AM I have an 20" aluminium imac, bought last March, with 2ghz & 1gb of memory in one slot with none in the other. As i feel buying 2x 2gb cards is not worth the money for 4gb when i can get 3gb with just one 2gb card. Can I just insert 2gb in one slot, keeping 1gb in the other, or do both slots need to be equal? Also, is it worth it (i.e. maybe just an upgrade to 2gb, with 1gb in each slot)? Thanks in Advance, Harry Last edited by hwat memory; 11-29-2008 at 11:36 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

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iMac - 2gb with 1gb of RAM

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chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,043 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	11-29-2008, 01:06 PM It's better to populate both banks with the same memory. Not necessary, but it does add to the speed of the memory performance. As far as how much you should purchase, I would purchase 2 x 2 GB modules even though your iMac will only be able to use approximately 3.3 GB of the memory. Go to Crucial and price the memory. Memory upgrades, flash media, and usb storage at Crucial.com Also read this Apple KB article. iMac (All Models): Memory Specifications and Upgrades Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

Chilbear #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 14, 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 574 Mac Specs: 2xiMac24 w Parallels 6 (1x White, 1x Aluminum), iPhone 3GS with iOS5	11-29-2008, 05:53 PM Yes is the answer - I have 1x1 and 1x2 in my 24 inch iMac. Works fine.
	QUOTE Thanks

hwat memory #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 29, 2008 Posts: 3	11-30-2008, 05:28 AM one last question. Is OWC memory OK to use?
	QUOTE Thanks

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