Memory Upgrade recommendations

[MVatt]

Looking to upgrade my Mac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) 4 GHz Intel Core i7 from 8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3 to max 32GB. Looking for brand suggestions and possible snags in the process.
Much appreciate the feed back

Thanks Matt

 

[harryb2448]

Only two Matt are OWC and Crucial, both Mac specialists. Do not buy from a PC shop or an auction site as Macs are very fussy about memory.


https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/Retina-5K2015/DDR3L

 

[ferrarr]

Max for that model year iMac is 64GB, https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-inch-aluminum-retina-5k-late-2015-specs.html. At the time of build, 16GB modules weren't available.

OWC, https://www.macsales.com, or Crucial, https://www.crucial.com, for memory brand. Can get them cheaper (usually) at Amazon or eBay.

 

[Slydude]

While you are deciding to upgrade memory don't be tempted to waste money getting more memory than you might need. I speak from experience. You may notice a speed difference going from 8 GB to 16 GB but a lot of whether you notice the difference depends upon what you do with the computer. Sometimes the slowdown is in your network connection or disk drive speed. Many users will not notice any difference at all when they go beyond 16 GB.

Here's one way to get an estimate of the amount of memory you might need:
1. Reboot your Mac to clear things out.
2. Launch Activity monitr (in the Utilities folder) and click on the Memory tab.
3. Now go about your usual computer activities and notice whether the graph at the bottom of the Activity Monitor window turns yellow or red. If it does more memory may produce a speed difference.

 

[MVatt]

Thank you all so much for the feedback! Surprised by the 64GB max out. I have 500GB SSD system drive, but i pull all my photos in to Lightroom (everything, Docs, video etc stored here) from a 3TB external Seagate Backup plus. that is probably my slow down. So I was thinking just upgrading to 16Gb RAM. Would it be functionally better to do 4 Gb or 2Gb?

- - - Updated - - -

I'm obviously new to Mac.

 

[pigoo3]

Would it be functionally better to do 4 Gb or 2Gb?

Depends on how the RAM slots are currently populated...how much the cost of RAM is...and what the size of your RAM upgrade budget is.

With 8gig of RAM currently...does it have 2gig x 4 or 4gig x 2 installed?

- If it currently has 2gig x 4 installed (all RAM slots filled)...then you MUST remove all 4 of the 2gig RAM sticks...and MUST install at least 4 x 4gig to get 16gig.
- If it currently has 2gig x 4 installed (all RAM slots filled)...then you could remove 2 of them...and install two 8gig sticks of RAM for a total of 20gig.
- If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two more 4gig sticks of RAM to equal 16gig.
- If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two 8gig sticks of RAM for a total of 24gig.

The advantage of installing 8gig sticks of RAM now...is if you want more RAM later...then you add 2 more 8gig sticks of RAM (total of 4 x 8gig) equaling 32gig of RAM.

- Nick

 

[MVatt]

I like option number two. Thanks!
If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two more 4gig sticks of RAM to equal 16gig.
If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two 8gig sticks of RAM for a total of 24gig.

Mvatt

I have many more questions BUT thanks for all the help!

 

[pigoo3]

I like option number two. Thanks!
If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two more 4gig sticks of RAM to equal 16gig.
If it currently has 4gig x 2 installed (two RAM slots free)...then you could install two 8gig sticks of RAM for a total of 24gig.

I think that's actually option #4.

Just teasing.

- Nick

p.s. If there are more questions...please ask away.

 

[MVatt]

I think that's actually option #4.

Just teasing.

- Nick

p.s. If there are more questions...please ask away.

LOL! Thank you!