You might have heard plenty of times that it’s better to buy a Mac with the maximum amount of RAM (random access memory). Why? The answer is very easy: there is no such thing as too much system memory. Just consider the fact that the more RAM your iMac has installed, the more windows and/or tabs it can have open at one time without slowing down. Also, with physical memory available, macOS won’t need to resort to using virtual memory, which ultimately slows things down.

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iMac RAM upgrades are easy for most models, and it’s a good idea to do it yourself, for two reasons: firstly you’ll get to know your iMac better, and secondly it’s possible to save a few hundred bucks rather than having Apple do the expensive upgrade. There are a few situations, though, where you might need to contact Apple or an Apple authorized service provider to install the RAM. Memory isn't removable by users on 21.5 inch iMacs from late 2012, late 2013, mid 2014 and 2017. Nor is it possible to manually remove the RAM on a 21.5 Retina display from 2017, either. In these cases, sadly you will need to pay higher prices to get the upgrade you want.

How to Upgrade iMac RAM

Upgrading your iMac with more RAM is super-easy and requires only a few steps. The first and most obvious task is to identify your iMac to know which memory it is that you will need to purchase. The price of the memory module will differ based on the iMac model you own.

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Apple has guidelines for the maximum amount of RAM each iMac model supports, but upgrade specialists say the devices are capable of supporting more.

While earlier versions of the iMac (17-inch or 20-inch models from 2006) have two memory slots, starting with 2007 models Apple decided to implement four slots instead. However, we highly recommend checking the type of RAM you need to buy, otherwise the iMac won’t recognize it.

Here’s a guideline for the type of RAM you should be looking to buy, depending on your model of iMac:

• Mid 2007 models use 200-pin 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
• Early 2008 models use 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
• Early 2009 models use 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM.

It’s worth noting that memory specifications change dependent on the iMac model, and so models after this can include additional sizes of memory. As such:

Make & Model: Apple iMac 21.5-inch, Late 2013 - 2.7GHz Core i5: Apple Reference: iMac14,1 2638 ME086LL/A A1418 ME086B/A Total Memory Slots. Late 2013 Release date November 30, 2012 January 201322 March 5, 2013 September 24, 2013 Marketing Model Number MD093xx/A MD094xx/A MD095xx/A MD096xx/A MD6. I have a late 2013 27-inch iMac with 8G DDR3-SDRAM. I would like to upgrade my RAM. Can I add two 8G (16G total) RAM with the two 4G (8G total) RAM already installed for a total of 24G or do I have to keep the RAM the same in all four slots? Four 4G RAM cards or four 8G RAM cards? About This iMac. The Apple iMac Intel Aluminum released September 2013 was another step in creativity in the world of computers. A number of more conventional features of a computer were absent – such a DVD drive slots and the FireWire ports that were traditional with the Apple iMac brand and new features appeared – such as the Thunderbolt port which allows for the passage of both visual. Mac Specs By Capability Actual Maximum RAM iMac Models. The actual maximum RAM of each iMac is listed below along with its compatible RAM type, default amount of RAM pre-installed, common identifiers suitable to identify a iMac in order to determine its RAM capacity, and more.

• Late 2009 iMacs can equip 2GB or 4GB SO-DIMM, DDR3, or SDRAM formats of RAM, running at 1066 MHz in each slot.
• Mid 2010 and mid 2011 iMacs can also use 2GB or 4GB SO-DIMM, DDR3, or SDRAM formats, with a maximum of 1333 MHz in each slot.

Meanwhile, 27-inch models manufactured between late 2012 and mid 2015 with the option to upgrade the RAM each come with a base memory of 8GB, and support a maximum of 32GB. The earlier 27-inch and 21.5-inch models released between late 2009 and mid 2011 support only 16GB of RAM, according to Apple.

Once you’ve figured out which memory types are compatible with your iMac, installing the RAM is easy. It only requires a few minutes, but there is still a slight difference between some models since Apple migrated from one design to another. Essentially the one thing you’ll need for all models is a soft, clean towel or cloth that you’ll place on the desk or other flat surface to protect the display from getting scratched.

The installation of the memory is pretty straightforward: first, you need to locate the memory compartment. On models released between 2006 and 2011 this is located at the bottom. The memory access door is secured by three screws on these earlier models.

On newer models released after 2012, this compartment is located on the back of the iMac above the AC power port. Apple made access easier, and the memory compartment opens with a button. A full step-by-step guide on how to install iMac RAM on various models is available on Apple’s support page.

One last thing that you should be careful with when upgrading your iMac’s memory is the compatibility between each of the individual components. Computer operating systems handle memory in very specific ways, so after finding the right type of RAM for your iMac with the guidelines above you should then try to ensure that you upgrade your system with matching memory.

Why Not Apple RAM

It’s good to have the maximum amount of RAM in your iMac at the moment of purchase, since this is a good way to expand its lifespan. But if you didn’t opt for the maximum RAM, then that’s no problem because you can upgrade it at anytime. And you won’t break the bank, either. In fact, this is the main reason why we don't recommend maxing out RAM at the moment of purchase of an iMac with upgradeable memory. For example, the mid 2017 21.5-inch 4K iMac comes with 8GB of RAM. But if you want to upgrade to 16GB it will cost you an additional $200, while 32GB of 2400MHz DDR4 RAM (the maximum supported) adds another $600. By comparison, a similar non-Apple 32GB DDR4 2400MHz kit costs $250 on Amazon.

In other words, while a factory upgrade is nice as you won’t have to worry about performance for the next ten years or so, it does come at a cost. Opting for a third party RAM upgrade will save a significant amount of cash, and considering how easy upgrading is this is definitely something worth doing.

Best RAM Brands for iMac

With so much choice available when it comes to system memory, it can be a challenge just to pick the one that is right for you. As such, we’ve picked three brands that we think you should consider when looking to upgrade your iMac’s memory.

Crucial

U.S. company Micron Technology can be found among the top ten companies for memory manufacturers; it produces affordable memory modules through its Crucial subsidiary. The company has products in computer memory, internal SSD and internal HDD categories on the Amazon store. If you are eyeing an iMac RAM upgrade, Crucial’s products should be on your list since its memory upgrade kits are well priced. For example, a Crucial 32GB Kit (16GB × 2) DDR4 SODIMM 260-Pin Memory costs $239.99 compared to Apple’s $600. Crucial has modules for earlier versions, as well, and maxing out RAM in an iMac released between 2012 and 2015 would cost you roughly $200 if you opt for four 8GB modules ($103/2 × 8GB).

OWC

Other World Computing’s (OWC) “MaxRAM” Certification Program is often cited by Mac blogs. It’s software that determines the maximum amount of memory supported by any Mac. As a retailer deeply connected with Apple’s platform, the U.S. computer hardware company OWC sells memory modules through its online store, MacSales. Here, besides getting a good quality RAM module, it is possible to find out how much RAM your iMac actually supports based on OWC’s testing results and then go on to purchase the modules. For example, Apple suggests the mid 2010 iMac supports only 16GB of RAM, but OWC has discovered that the actual maximum is 32GB. That means even greater performance for a long time.

Timetec

Timetec, another U.S. memory manufacturer, was founded in 2013 and seeks to provide memory modules to compete with established players such as Kingston, Corsair, Crucial and OWC. Although the Timetec name may not sound familiar to many, the Hynix name does, and Timetec uses integrated circuits from this renowned IC manufacturer. Timetec tries to position itself as a budget-friendly option, and just a quick glance at its products on offer would confirm that to you: while Crucial’s two 8GB RAM kit for a late 2012 iMac costs $103, the same package sold by Timetec comes in at $85.99.

Video Guide and Instructions

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how much is a video worth? But would you prefer written guidance or a step-by-step video on how to install memory into your iMac? OWC’s online store, MacSales.com, is the best option for easy-to-follow video guides. Here you’ll find detailed videos on how to install memory and SSDs into your iMac and various other Mac products. These video guides deliver just the right amount of information that you won’t find on Apple’s iMac RAM upgrade support page.

Of course, if you have already done a few RAM upgrades then the steps should be familiar, but those upgrading their iMac’s for the first-time should definitely watch the tutorial videos to get an overview of the complete process from beginning to end.

FAQ

Should I Upgrade My iMac’s RAM?

The short answer: yes, definitely. When it comes to performance, any computer’s limits – even the iMac’s – are outlined by its technical specifications. The more RAM you have, the better the computer performs in the long term. To understand the reasons for a RAM upgrade, you should know about its role: random access memory is where macOS, apps and data currently in use by the system are stored. This enables quick access to that data by the computer's processor. The advantage of RAM is that it is much faster to read/write from/to than other storage type in your Mac. But when your Mac reaches the physical limits of its RAM storage, it turns to the system’s virtual memory, which is much slower since it utilizes the startup disk. If this happens then you’ll certainly notice your Mac running slow.

Does Upgrading My iMac’s RAM Void Warranty?

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Performance slowdown is a very good sign that your iMac deserves a RAM upgrade. If you have AppleCare+ or the one-year limited warranty is still valid, then know that upgrading memory doesn’t void warranty. Unfortunately, this claim is only valid for iMac models that allow the user to replace the memory. If you opted for – as an example – a 21.5-inch iMac (late 2013 model) then sadly the only warranty-acceptable option for RAM upgrades is via Apple-authorized services or Apple itself. But upgrading RAM on the 27-inch model from the same year, for instance, can still be performed manually at home without ruining your warranty. As such, before jumping on the RAM upgrade hype-train, be sure to always check Apple’s support page to identify what is possible for your iMac.

How Much Memory Does My iMac Need?

Every iMac comes with a minimum amount of memory that it needs for even basic performance. But that’s mainly optimized for the operating system released in the year of that particular iMac’s launch, and as technology and operating systems advance the physical limits of the installed memory modules are reached more quickly. Although Apple has done a great job of optimizing macOS for earlier Mac models, there are still going to be more issues with their limited hardware resources as the machine gets older.

Also, while Apple suggests a maximum amount of supported RAM on every iMac model it releases, as OWC’s tests have shown these machines are capable of recognizing up to twice as much as Apple’s guidelines. The more memory your iMac has, the better the computer’s performance and longer its lifespan.

Optimizing RAM Usage

Still, having the maximum amount of RAM under the hood doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay attention to the remaining details for optimal performance. If this means a change in usage habits, then consider it well worth the investment.

macOS has a very good memory management tool called Activity Monitor, which allows knowledgeable users to keep an eye on resource-demanding applications. But if you want a similar experience that is packed into a more convenient and visually appealing user interface, third party Mac optimization apps can help to manage memory usage.

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Along with providing great cleaning tools – such as removing all the junk files the system and apps build up – Mac optimization apps such as CleanMyMac, MacBooster, MacKeeper and the like provide easy access to memory management tools. Users can discover at a glance whether the memory is at its peak capacity and optimize its usage with a single click.

Apple is eager to highlight the care every product receives during the manufacturing process, iMac included. So as soon as it arrives to your office or home, its lifecycle depends entirely on your care. Give it your best by upgrading RAM and maintaining it using cleaning apps, and these computers will serve you for many years.

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