Can I Add More RAM to An iMac 27-Inch Retina 2017 Model Myself?

Three months before my iMac early 2009 started exhibiting problems, I thought of purchasing an iMac 27-Inch 5K Retina Display. Can I add more RAM myself to this iMac even if it's under AppleCare?

I thought of upgrading because three of the apps I use are no longer supported for El Capitan.

Can I add more RAM myself to this iMac even if it's under AppleCare?

Click to expand...

EDIT 2:
My mistake, forget this erroneous statement — I misread the specs and the note:

Nope!!! And AppleCare would have nothing to do with it:

Click to expand...

— WRONG!!!! Sorry WritersItch.

Using this model as an example Apple iMac "Core i5" 3.4 27-Inch (5K, Mid-2017) Specs from:
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...7-inch-aluminum-retina-5k-mid-2017-specs.html

It says:

Standard RAM: 8 GB Maximum RAM: 64 GB*
Details: *By default, 8 GB of RAM is installed as two 4 GB memory modules (and two slots are unoccupied). For some curious reason, Apple only permits this model to be configured at the time of purchase with 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM for an extra US$200 or US$600, respectively. However, as first determined by site sponsor OWC, it can support up to 64 GB of RAM with four 16 GB memory modules.

Click to expand...

(BOLD mine)


PS: EDIT:

I thought of upgrading because three of the apps I use are no longer supported for El Capitan.

Click to expand...

You might want to check that the apps you need actually work with Apple's latest OSs that the latest iMacs can use.


EDIT:
Well, this is confusing as OWC says YES.

NEW! OWC Upgrades for:
iMac 27" 2017 with Retina 5K display
OWC RECOMMENDED MEMORY UPGRADES

Click to expand...

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-27-inch

So good question WritersItch.





- Patrick
======

Of course you can, but not to current 21.5" models. There are four slots each capable of handling upo to 16GB each. Try OWC or Crucial for memory, both Mac specialists.

Be aware Macs require specific memory and not cheaper auction site or PC modules.


https://support.apple.com/en-au/ht201191


https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-27-inch

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1 shows that it can be done and doesn't look very difficult.

The 27" iMac has user accessible RAM and as stated by Jake, its VERY easy to do. Back in the day, all iMacs had upgradable memory, but the 21.5" lost that ability a few generations ago, but the 27" version retains that feature.

So do NOT purchase the RAM upgrade from Apple, stick with the regular 8GB that the machine comes with and then upgrade it yourself later on for significantly cheaper than what Apple would charge you.

I just noticed some interesting things about these iMacs at the Apple Canada site, and I don't know where WritersItch lives.
https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/buy-mac/imac/27-inch

The cheapest of the three offered models says:

8GB 2400MHz memory, configurable up to 32GB

Click to expand...

and I don't know if that is a real limit or not.
The others say:

8GB 2400MHz memory, configurable up to 64GB

Click to expand...

But the most interesting part, at least for any Canadians, using OWC as an example, Apple's price for an additional 16GB RAM is almost $40.00cdn LESS than OWC's equivalent price, and that doesn't include shipping and taxing and only God probably knows what extra duties or tariffs might get added to the OWC price these days!!!

Maybe worth checking on actual landed RAM pricing for the area the OP lives. ;D




- Patrick
======

harryb2448 said:

Of course you can, but not to current 21.5" models. There are four slots each capable of handling up to to 16GB each. Try OWC or Crucial for memory, both Mac specialists.

Be aware Macs require specific memory and not cheaper auction site or PC modules.

Click to expand...

I've never bought cheap RAM. It's not worth the hassle. Crucial is my preferred brand.

I'm only looking at the 27-Inch iMac.

I researched the RAM prices and found I can max out RAM at half the price of what Apple and one more site offer. Not that I necessarily need 64GB of RAM though as 32GB might be enough.

I just wanted to make certain that upgrading the RAM myself would not void the warranty and/or AppleCare.

As for the software in question, it is compatible with High Sierra, but soon to be incompatible with El Capitan as the companies will stop supporting it.

I've used Crucial memory before and had no issues with it. I can also say that I've used OWC as a source for memory as well. Never had an issue with either vendor. The 8 GB extra memory in my 2015 iMac (using it now) is from OWC. I got one heck of a deal on it. If you can wait a bit for the extra memory, sunscribe to their newsletter and you may catch a special. IIRC the 8 GB I bout for about $30.00 US was usually around $100.00 US.

I got one heck of a deal on it. If you can wait a bit for the extra memory, sunscribe to their newsletter and you may catch a special. IIRC the 8 GB I bout for about $30.00 US was usually around $100.00 US.

Click to expand...

WOW!!! Doesn't that drastic price reduction make you wonder about the memory sticks just a wee bit???

But heck, they usually have a good warranty and return policy.




- Patrick
======

pm-r said:

WOW!!! Doesn't that drastic price reduction make you wonder about the memory sticks just a wee bit???

But heck, they usually have a good warranty and return policy.




- Patrick
======

Click to expand...

Yeah it did make me wonder a bit. I actually thought I had misread the description. Double-checked the chip type and speed a couple of times before I pulled the trigger. I was fully expecting a higher price to be reflected in the cart before checkout or an email saying there had been an error.

I wasn't too worried though. they've been around for years and as you say they have a good return policy.

It also should be noted that Amazon.com sells Crucial memory for less than you can buy it from the Crucial site. I have purchased memory mostly from OWC but at times OWC prices can be somewhat higher than Amazon or even Crucial. Always shop around a bit.

When I need memory modules I just buy from OWC.

Whether cheaper or dearer, they really stand behind their lifetime warranty, including USPS air mail to Australia at about 40% cheaper than local suppliers.

Back in the day I used NewEgg to buy memory for my first generation Mac Pro. They had a return policy that is good. The only reason I don't recommend them more often is that I think when you order from them you reaally need to know what memory so that you can ask the right questions. In my case, the drescription of the memory wasn't clear whether it was fully buffered or not. I didn't order till I had an assurance that it could be returned/exchanged.