iMac memory config

lrd


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If I buy the new iMac with the minimum memory config (2x4gb) can I add 2x8gb sticks from a third party for a total of 24gb or do the stick types have to match? Then I can upgrade later if required by replacing the 2x4gb sticks.

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chscag

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If I buy the new iMac with the minimum memory config (2x4gb) can I add 2x8gb sticks from a third party for a total of 24gb or do the stick types have to match? Then I can upgrade later if required by replacing the 2x4gb sticks. Thanks

Which new iMac? Only the 27" new (late 2012) iMac is upgradeable for memory. The new (late 2012) 21.5" iMac is NOT user upgradeable for memory.
 
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As chscag says the 21.5" model is not user upgradeable. Suggest if you go 27" and want memory upgrade buy from OWC or Crucial.
 
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OWC has some good prices on iMac memory. I just bought an additional 8Gb for the 27inch iMac I just ordered.
 
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lrd


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27" and OWC or Crucial was my plan all along. Just curious if I could mix memory types. I know I'm going to want more memory as I plan to have windows running in VMFusion pretty much all the time...we use a couple of programs a lot that only has a windows version (or the Mac version is way behind). Idea was to see if 24gb would be enough before buying another 16gb (and having to throw away the original 8gb sticks)
 
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Do as baggss suggest and pop over to OWC and suggest not mixing memory types.
 

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I just bought 32GB RAM for my new 27" iMac yesterday. Waiting for it come in the post.

In case anyone is wondering. The 27" iMac has four slots. Two of which are occupied by 4GB of RAM for a total of 8GB. The other two are empty.

ScreenShot2012-12-22at111458PM_zps4ad5dafb.png
 
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lrd


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Based on that diagra (and my original question) is can I put 8gb sticks in the two empty slots? I've gotten contradictory answers. 24gb is a straight upgrade...32gb requires throwing away 8gb.

Haven't bought the new iMac yet...was planning on using the Crucial tool to tell me exactly what I need. Worked great on my MBP?
 

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Based on that diagra (and my original question) is can I put 8gb sticks in the two empty slots? I've gotten contradictory answers. 24gb is a straight upgrade...32gb requires throwing away 8gb.

Haven't bought the new iMac yet...was planning on using the Crucial tool to tell me exactly what I need. Worked great on my MBP?

You can put anything you want in the two empty slots. Just as long as it's the correct type of memory modules.

Which would be this :
PC3-12800 (1600) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIM

Linky. I would pay attention to the foot notes at the bottom of the page.
 
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The general recommendation is that whatever you put in those 2 slots should be matched; For example, 2 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb. You can do 1 x 4Gb and 1 x 8Gb but that isn't recommended for best performance.

If you were to go to 32 Gb, you would't be "throwing away" that 8Gb. You could probably sell it on e-bay or a place like here and get some money back.
 

CrimsonRequiem


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The general recommendation is that whatever you put in those 2 slots should be matched; For example, 2 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb. You can do 1 x 4Gb and 1 x 8Gb but that isn't recommended for best performance.

If you were to go to 32 Gb, you would't be "throwing away" that 8Gb. You could probably sell it on e-bay or a place like here and get some money back.

OWC has a trade in program. Could also look into that.
 
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