Is it worth to expand RAM from 4gb to 12gb?

[Gabrielc]

Hi, I got an iMac 27" - 2009 (dual core, 2 X 2gb ram, ati radeon 4670 - 250mb).
The question is if will really worth to expand it from 4gb to 12gb ram (2 x 4gb + 2 x 2gb).
I use applications such as Quark XPress, Photoshop, Illustrator and inDesign, and due I had to install new Adobe package I had to upgrade OSX to Yosemite. Lately the iMac crashes or works quite slow when I work in Quark, inDesign.
The question is if by increasing 8gb of RAM I could see a change? or the computer will have pretty the same performance? I mean...with 25 to 30% of better performance I'd be happy enough.
Or is it all about the processor and video RAM which will make the difference?

Question is in order I don't waste money in this old computer and then the result were not the expected. Pls help. Thanks.

 

[pigoo3]

The question is if by increasing 8gb could I see a change? or the computer will work pretty the same?

Considering that you upgraded your iMac to Yosemite…AND running a bunch of demanding Adobe apps. I think that you would most DEFINITELY benefit from a ram upgrade!!!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Assuming that your boot drive has adequate amount of free available space I think you'll see a real speed increase, especially considering the applications you mentioned you're using, and I'd definitely add the pair of 4GB chips rather than any smaller 2GB chips in case it was ever considered.

 

[harryb2448]

And even more would be better as your iMac can handle 32GB. No longer use Quark, but would suggest 16GB as a minimum.

 

[dtravis7]

I 100% agree with PM-R as with 4 of the same chips all will be working in Dual Channel and there is a speed increase from Single channel. I have tried it on both my macs and PCs and sometimes see 20% gain on some of the benchmark tests.

Also like Harry said, the more the better with apps like you are running!

 

[Gabrielc]

And even more would be better as your iMac can handle 32GB. No longer use Quark, but would suggest 16GB as a minimum.

mine only supports 16gb in total, 4 x 4gb, but as I have already 2 x 2gb I have to expand it to 12gb (unless I get ride of the 2 x 2gb that came with the computer and replace to 2 x 4gb) but don't want to spend that money on this old computer.

 

[harryb2448]

A 2009 27" iMac supports 32GB despite Apple stating at the time of release 16GB. The 21.5" model is only 16GB.

They are pretty hungry programs you are running.

 

[Gabrielc]

A 2009 27" iMac supports 32GB despite Apple stating at the time of release 16GB. The 21.5" model is only 16GB.

They are pretty hungry programs you are running.

thanks, are you positive about that?

mine is 27" (late 2009)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1423

Apple says 16gb maximum, if you are right then thanks for the data.

 

[pm-r]

A 2009 27" iMac supports 32GB despite Apple stating at the time of release 16GB. The 21.5" model is only 16GB.

They are pretty hungry programs you are running.

And Apple still continues to state old specs and for some reason never seems to want to or even bother attempting to update the facts, and I wonder why???

At least we have such places as Mac Specs, Prices, Answers and Comparison @ EveryMac.com, Est. 1996 and crucial and macsales etc. to get the correct info on total RAM capacity and Mac Specs, Prices, Answers and Comparison @ EveryMac.com, Est. 1996 seems to provide some extra details at times which can be a bonus.

 

[pm-r]

thanks, are you positive about that?

mine is 27" (late 2009)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1423

Apple says 16gb maximum, if you are right then thanks for the data.

As Harry says, and if you need to confirm your specific model, do so here:
Apple iMac Specs (All iMac Tech Specs) @ EveryMac.com

 

[dtravis7]

What CPU is in your iMac? I checked all 27" late 2009 iMacs and only one is limited to 16GB. What are the other specs please?

The one with the I5 and also the i7 cpu for sure will support 32 GB no matter what apple says.


Standard RAM 4 GB Maximum RAM: 32 GB*
Details: By default, 4 GB of RAM was installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.

*Officially, this model supports a maximum of 16 GB of RAM. However, as carefully confirmed by Other World Computing, this model can support up to 32 GB of RAM if it is running Mac OS X 10.6.3 "Snow Leopard" or higher in 64-bit mode and has been updated to use the latest EFI version. It is limited to 16 GB of RAM in 32-bit mode.

 

[Gabrielc]

As Harry says, and if you need to confirm your specific model, do so here:
Apple iMac Specs (All iMac Tech Specs) @ EveryMac.com

thanks, very complete info, I've checked and unfortunately this iMac supports 16gb only (4 X 4gb)

 

[dtravis7]

thanks, very complete info, I've checked and unfortunately this iMac supports 16gb only (4 X 4gb)

So you have a Core2Duo model?

If so you are stuck with 16 which is fine. Go all the way to 16!!

 

[Gabrielc]

What CPU is in your iMac? I checked all 27" late 2009 iMacs and only one is limited to 16GB. What are the other specs please?

The one with the I5 and also the i7 cpu for sure will support 32 GB no matter what apple says.


4 GB Maximum RAM: 32 GB*
Details: By default, 4 GB of RAM was installed as two 2 GB SO-DIMM modules. Two slots free.

*Officially, this model supports a maximum of 16 GB of RAM. However, as carefully confirmed by Other World Computing, this model can support up to 32 GB of RAM if it is running Mac OS X 10.6.3 "Snow Leopard" or higher in 64-bit mode and has been updated to use the latest EFI version. It is limited to 16 GB of RAM in 32-bit mode.

Yes, mine only supports 16gb (4 X 4gb) (late 2009 - 27" - 3.06 - core 2 duo)

 

[Gabrielc]

So you have a Core2Duo model?

Yes, I bought it in Argentina, only shi.. stuffs come here and also even more expensive than other high tech iMacs.

ie. nowadays a 27" i5 - world market €2,150. Same computer in Argentina €5,500.

 

[pigoo3]

There are 4 "Late 2009" 27" iMacs. Two of them are core 2 duo based…and two are "i" CPU based.

- The core 2 duo models have a max. ram of 16gig.
- The "i" CPU based models have a max. ram of 32gig.

OP mentioned in post #1 that their 27" iMac has Radeon 4670 video hardware…which corresponds to a one of the core 2 duo models. Which means it has a 16gig of ram max.

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

Yes, I bought it in Argentina, only shi.. stuffs come here and also even more expensive than other high tech iMacs.

ie. nowadays a 27" i5 - world market €2,150. Same computer in Argentina €5,500.

WOW. What a markup!

 

[pm-r]

For the OP now that the 16GB limit has been confirmed, if money was a problem with adding RAM, I think I'd try just adding the 4GB x 2 pair chips for 12GB total and see if more would be needed later when the 2GB x 2 chips would just become maybe keychains for geeky kids.

That's already a big 8GB jump increase and only 4GB from max with the original left in and about a $100.00± saving depending on where one lives.

 

[pm-r]

WOW. What a markup!

WOUCH!!! And unless my currency conversion is waaaay off, that's an expensive place to buy a Mac, and maybe more, but I hear that gas is sure cheap — or at least was.
For example:
Computadoras iMac en Apple - MercadoLibre Argentina

 

[Gabrielc]

WOW. What a markup!

yes...tell me about it...it is LAME. Only in this kind of shi... countries.