Adding RAM to IMac 4k 21.5' 2017

[sedohre681]

Has anyone added additional RAM memory to a (Retina 2017 4K) IMAC? Currently has 8 MG of RAM. Want to add an additional 8 MGs.

 

[harryb2448]

Risky. One has to strip the iMac right down and Apple states memory is not upgradable. Check it out over at ifixit.com.

 

[krs]

Has anyone added additional RAM memory to a (Retina 2017 4K) IMAC? Currently has 8 MG of RAM. Want to add an additional 8 MGs.

I'm not sure what you mean by 8 MG of RAM.
Do you mean 8 GB, as in Gigabytes?

My question is why do you think you need more RAM if you have 8 GB already?
I added 16 GB to my Mini a few years ago because it was dead easy and two 8 GB DDR3's were not much more than two 4 GB DDR3's at the time, but everytime I check Activity Monitor I hardly ever use more than 8 GB.
And I leave all my apps open/active (which uses RAM).

The consensus in this forum seems to be that 8 GB of RAM is adequate except possibly for some unique situations - so back to the question.

 

[IWT]

A warm welcome to Mac-Forums, seedhre681.

Several points emerge:

You don't mention which Operating System your iMac runs.

8GB is sufficient RAM for all but the most demanding tasks - up to and including macOS Mojave

The addition of more RAM is a major challenge as harryb2448 pointed out. Unless you are comfortable stripping out the iMac, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Lastly, why do you consider the need for more RAM? A relevant question because if you are having some difficulty with your iMac, a modern iMac at that, then RAM is most unlikely to be the problem. Please tell us more and we shall be only too glad to help.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

8GB is sufficient RAM for all but the most demanding tasks - up to and including macOS Mojave

And especially if that iMac happened to be supplied with an SSD, and also considering the latest Mac OS versions handle memory much more efficiently and better than previous older versions.

It would be interesting to know why the OP considers more RAM is necessary and what Activity Monitor is showing for memory usage.


- Patrick
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[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

Rather than us giving our opinions and advice, suggest you view the following video from Mac Sales to see if you're up to it. Let us know.

YouTube

 

[pm-r]

Rather than us giving our opinions and advice, suggest you view the following video from Mac Sales to see if you're up to it. Let us know.

YouTube

BTW: An off-topic question, but does anyone know why the bottom RAM module needs the padding that is shown at 11:19 being transferred in the video???

I'm surprised they even use it as it certainly can't help any cooling, and I can't see anything needing any sort of protection.



- Patrick
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[sedohre681]

Thanks chscag,
For suggesting Mac Sales YouTube video regarding my question. It gave me exactly what I needed to know about what to do. Extremely informative.

 

[Macav8r]

Welcome to our forums.

Rather than us giving our opinions and advice, suggest you view the following video from Mac Sales to see if you're up to it. Let us know.

YouTube

FWIW, the MacSales posted above has been updated.

How to Upgrade/Install Memory in a 21.5-inch iMac (2017)