upgrading memory in iMac

[jstjohn83]

I have the iMac MC508 and want to upgrade to 16gb memory which is the max. I bought 2 8GB corsair sticks but my mac keeps rebooting after a few minutes. I ran the corsair memory finder and got these results:

http://www2.corsair.com/configurator/new_configurator_corsair_custom.aspx?sc=&id=2462889

since it only shows 4gb sticks (the 8gb is 2 4gb sticks) does that mean the only way to get 16gb is to buy 4 of the 4gb sticks? this mac is not compatible with the 8gb sticks even though it supports 16gb?

 

[chscag]

This is what Mactracker reports for your Mid 2010 iMac:

Maximum Memory 16 GB
Memory Slots 4 - 204-pin PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

It assumes that all four slots are populated; which means that it must be 4 x 4 GB modules. The 8 GB modules will not work. Send them back in exchange for 4 GB modules and you should be OK.

 

[jstjohn83]

re:

This is what Mactracker reports for your Mid 2010 iMac:

Maximum Memory 16 GB
Memory Slots 4 - 204-pin PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

It assumes that all four slots are populated; which means that it must be 4 x 4 GB modules. The 8 GB modules will not work. Send them back in exchange for 4 GB modules and you should be OK.

well right now it came with 2 2GB modules so how come that works without all 4 being populated. is it just because it looks at 16gb as having to be 4x4 so when it doesnt see all 4 loaded it crashes?

 

[pigoo3]

well right now it came with 2 2GB modules so how come that works without all 4 being populated.

Because all 4 slots don't need to be populated simultaneously. If all four slots needed to be populated simultaneously…then your iMac would have come (straight from Apple) with 4 x 1gig modules…instead of 2 x 2gig modules…for a total of 4gig.

- Nick

 

[jstjohn83]

re

Because all 4 slots don't need to be populated simultaneously. If all four slots needed to be populated simultaneously…then your iMac would have come (straight from Apple) with 4 x 1gig modules…instead of 2 x 2gig modules.

- Nick

but because I want 16gb they must be populated simultaneously or they simply dont support an 8gb stick

 

[pigoo3]

but because I want 16gb they must be populated simultaneously or they simply dont support an 8gb stick

The "Corsair" website you used is not the best. If you go to Macsales.com (a site we usually recommend)…you'll see that they do list 8gig ram modules for your iMac. 8gig ram modules are slightly more expensive than 4gig ram modules.

And of course if you went with 8gig ram modules…you would only get two (for a total of 16gig). Since the iMac can only recognize a max. of 16gig of ram.

So you would either get 2 x 8gig modules…or 4 x 4gig modules.

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Actually I need to modify what I mentioned above. Only some of the Mid-2010 27" iMacs are compatible with 8gig ram modules (because they have a 32gig ram max.).

All of the 21" and some of the 27" mid-2010 iMacs have a 16gig ram max….and can ONLY handle 4gig ram modules. So if you want to upgrade to 16gig…you need to purchase the 4 x 4gig ram upgrade.

- Nick

 

[jstjohn83]

re

Corsair Apple Certified 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1333 MHz (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory (CMSA16GX3M2A1333C9) at Amazon.com

this is what I bought that is giving me problems. is it because its not compatible or is something else going on?

 

[jstjohn83]

re

Actually I need to modify what I mentioned above. Only some of the Mid-2010 27" iMacs are compatible with 8gig ram modules (because they have a 32gig ram max.).

All of the 21" and some of the 27" mid-2010 iMacs have a 16gig ram max….and can ONLY handle 4gig ram modules. So if you want to upgrade to 16gig…you need to purchase the 4 x 4gig ram upgrade.

- Nick

awesome thanks!

 

[pigoo3]

this is what I bought that is giving me problems. is it because its not compatible or is something else going on?

Like I mentioned in my modified post above. The mid-2010 21.5" iMac's (like you have)…are NOT compatible with 8gig ram modules. Your 21" iMac can ONLY use 4gig ram modules.

- Nick

Edit: Sorry…maybe our posts criss-crossed each other. Just saw your most recent post

 

[harryb2448]

Only OWC or Crucial for Macs.

 

[jstjohn83]

Like I mentioned in my modified post above. The mid-2010 21.5" iMac's (like you have)…are NOT compatible with 8gig ram modules. Your 21" iMac can ONLY use 4gig ram modules.

- Nick

Edit: Sorry…maybe our posts criss-crossed each other. Just saw your most recent post

yeah there is a lot of criscrossing, I posted the link of what I bought and then it showed you replied right after I already posted.

 

[pm-r]

There's a good chance that RAM is not compatible with your iMac, and it doesn't seem to be.

If you live in Canada, and even if you don't, check with canadaram which is a very knowledgeable and well respected dealer for the proper memory for your iMac:

"Note: 21.5" machines and all i3 based machines are limited to 16 GB (4 x 4 GB)..."
Canada RAM sells memory in Canada - Apple Macintosh iMac intel Core2Duo, CoreDuo 17", 20" and 24"

Note: I am not associated with the company in any way, just a satisfied customer who's lucky enough to have them as a local dealer.

 

[harryb2448]

Again only OWC or Crucial.

 

[jstjohn83]

re

Again only OWC or Crucial.

yeah I plan to get crucial

 

[pm-r]

Again only OWC or Crucial.

I'd say that can depend on where one lives.

 

[chscag]

I'd say that can depend on where one lives.

Well, Harry lives in Australia and still orders memory from OWC. But yes, Canada RAM is a good reliable supplier and if you live close by, why not buy from them?

A plug for our Canadian members:

CanadaRAM.com

Address: 488F Bay St, Victoria, BC V8T 5H2, Canada
Phone:+1 250-382-6227
Hours: Open today · 9:00 am – 5:00 pm