Kernel Panic - RAM Upgrade

So I've decided to try and max out the available slots for my Late-2013 iMac. I purchased 4 of the recommended by a website 8GB PNY DDR3 PC3-12800. Once installed I can use the iMac anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 hours before I receive a Kernel Panic gray screen and the system reboots. How can I run a test to figure out which module or modules are causing the issue so I can remove and replace it?

You know that the modules you removed which were installed by Apple (2 x 4GB modules) are good. Remove one bank of modules - either the upper or lower - and put back the original Apple modules and run your iMac for awhile. You can do that again with the other bank until you get a KP. In other words, by the process of elimination. That method will be more definitive than the Apple Hardware Test or a memory checking program.

nunzii said:

How can I run a test to figure out which module or modules are causing the issue so I can remove and replace it?

Click to expand...

- Remove all the new modules you just installed.
- Return them for a refund.
- Then purchase new modules guaranteed to work with your iMac from one of these retailers:

* Other World Computing (OWC)
* Crucial

HTH,

- Nick

chscag said:

You know that the modules you removed which were installed by Apple (2 x 4GB modules) are good. Remove one bank of modules - either the upper or lower - and put back the original Apple modules and run your iMac for awhile. You can do that again with the other bank until you get a KP. In other words, by the process of elimination. That method will be more definitive than the Apple Hardware Test or a memory checking program.

Click to expand...

The Apple modules are now in the top bank, I put 1 of the 8GB modules in the bottom bank and all seemed fine, added a 2nd one and upon POST got 3 solid beeps, a pause, and repeat beeps which I found this indicates RAM does not pass a data integrity check. I did not get this when all 4 modules were installed before...so I removed that module and added another in its place and have no issues at the moment. I think I can assume that module was my culprit?

Perhaps but it sounds like you have purchased non compatible modules. Wait and see. You can always go back to the originally suppplied modules. As suggested shop from Crucial or OWC Mac specialists.

I'll check out the sites and look into getting replacements to be sure they are 100% compatible. In the meantime does the attached help determine if my current setup is compatible? Everything seems to match the Apple modules but again I'm not 100% sure just trying to rule things out.

View attachment SPD Data.pdf

nunzii said:

In the meantime does the attached help determine if my current setup is compatible?

Click to expand...

Your old/original ram is good...and something is wrong with the new ram (wrong type or just bad/defective). Return the new ram...and get new ram from one of the suppliers I linked above.

There is no need to experiment any further. Something is wrong with the new ram. There is no fixing bad/defective/wrong ram.

- Nick