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additional RAM for iMac

M

macsig

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 27, 2006
236
0
Marina del Rey, CA
Hello I have an iMac 2Ghz Core 2 Duo with a standard 1 Gb RAM.
Now I would like to add at least 1 more Gb, I have taken a look of Apple Store where 1 Gb costs $100 !!!

Could you please suggest me where I can buy a 100% compatible RAM for less?
I really don't want to have any problem after installing it so if there isn't something safe I will go with Apple Store.

THANKS
 
Apple RAM is expensive for a good reason.

However for a standard user look no further than newegg.com for all your RAM needs ;)
 
macsig said:
Which one?

THANKS
Click to expand...
Well as I understand it:

For 99% of users it is stupid to buy RAM from Apple. The reason Apple RAM is so expensive is because it is intensively tested to be 100% compatible with OS X and mainly its Pro apps.

Final Cut Studio for example has many speed enhancing features which may not work with all standard RAM. It may work, it may not.

Also back in the days of PPC, some RAM did not always work with Macs. Since Apple moved to Intel this does not seem to be the case.

Nevertheless for certain people, Apple RAM is extremely important.

Not for you though ;)
 
Thanks Nick,
since the iMac is used just to surf on internet, instant messaging and so on ...

I guess compatible RAM works fine to me.


Have a good 1!
 
ram

Just downloaded 3 GBs of ram, bought it from Crucial. Not a bit of a problem and service was excellent. Try Crucial, you won't be sorry, plus the 3 GBs cost $79, which included 1 2GB module and 1 1GB module.:)
 
nick9191 said:
Well as I understand it:

For 99% of users it is stupid to buy RAM from Apple. The reason Apple RAM is so expensive is because it is intensively tested to be 100% compatible with OS X and mainly its Pro apps.

Final Cut Studio for example has many speed enhancing features which may not work with all standard RAM. It may work, it may not.

Also back in the days of PPC, some RAM did not always work with Macs. Since Apple moved to Intel this does not seem to be the case.

Nevertheless for certain people, Apple RAM is extremely important.

Not for you though ;)
Click to expand...

Well you understand it wrong. There is no extra testing apple does with it's RAM. All 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM will work in the Macbook, there isn't any extra compatibility with Apple RAM, it's the exact same stuff.

As for your back in the PPC days... That was just idiotic, any RAM that was used by the computer, 200 Pin RDDR2, 240 pin, whatever, would work with PPC computers. There's nothing magical about Macs, they're just computers and they just need the RAM that is compatible with it.

PS: thanks for not doing any research and saying what you've "heard" as fact. It really makes other people who believe you look as dumb as.... well...
 
So I just ordered a iMac 20". I was thinking about upgrading the RAM as well however, I was under the impression that the only option would be to purchase two sticks of 2GB to upgrade it to the max 4GB RAM. Is this correct or can I get one stick of 2GB and one 1GB?
 
Drucifer said:
So I just ordered a iMac 20". I was thinking about upgrading the RAM as well however, I was under the impression that the only option would be to purchase two sticks of 2GB to upgrade it to the max 4GB RAM. Is this correct or can I get one stick of 2GB and one 1GB?
Click to expand...

you can, but it'd be better to max it out at 4GB, even if you don't use all that RAM you will see a performance increase because of the dual channeling that OS X does when you have two sticks of equal size.
 
alright, so if I got 2 2GB sticks of RAM I would have to remove the 1GB that comes with the iMac correct?
 
Drucifer.
Yes you remove the 1GB.

For example my iMac came with 2 GB (two 1GB). I removed both of them and installed two 2 GB for a total of 4 GB.
 
tuffluffjimmy said:
Did your iMac really come with a 1GB stick or was it 2 512MB sticks? I don't think any Mac ships with one 1GB stick of RAM. Check your System Profiler.
Click to expand...

Good point, they probably just included two 512 sticks. I'd check but I need to wait for it to arrive in the mail. :(
 
Well you understand it wrong. There is no extra testing apple does with it's RAM. All 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM will work in the Macbook, there isn't any extra compatibility with Apple RAM, it's the exact same stuff.

Err all RAM is not equal. RAM is not made in one large factory and then branded with different logos, RAM undergoes a lot of R&D from its respective manufacturers. If you were ever into building computers you would know that RAM from more respected manufacturers is extremely important in areas like overclocking. And I'm not talking about different speeds, or DDR2 vs. DDR3, I'm talking about RAM of identical speed. Good luck on that using Generic RAM.

As for your back in the PPC days... That was just idiotic, any RAM that was used by the computer, 200 Pin RDDR2, 240 pin, whatever, would work with PPC computers. There's nothing magical about Macs, they're just computers and they just need the RAM that is compatible with it.

Well let me put it like this. I've heard a lot less moaning about RAM compatibility since Apple moved to Intel. I do not have anything to back that up with at all, and there is likely no explanation on the planet as to why. This is purely what I have seen working in various stores.

PS: thanks for not doing any research and saying what you've "heard" as fact. It really makes other people who believe you look as dumb as.... well...

I never said anything that I heard. I stated information that I had read from many respected people, combined with my own outlook on the subject, and from what I had seen working at various computer stores. I then formed an opinion.

When you buy Apple RAM, you are guaranteed to be buying RAM that is 100% compatible with your computer. Regardless of the fact if 99% of all other RAM would work flawlessly. And this guarantee is extremely important for some people who spend millions of dollars on equipment in professional situations.
 
nick9191 said:
Well you understand it wrong. There is no extra testing apple does with it's RAM. All 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM will work in the Macbook, there isn't any extra compatibility with Apple RAM, it's the exact same stuff.

Err all RAM is not equal. RAM is not made in one large factory and then branded with different logos, RAM undergoes a lot of R&D from its respective manufacturers. If you were ever into building computers you would know that RAM from more respected manufacturers is extremely important in areas like overclocking. And I'm not talking about different speeds, or DDR2 vs. DDR3, I'm talking about RAM of identical speed. Good luck on that using Generic RAM.

As for your back in the PPC days... That was just idiotic, any RAM that was used by the computer, 200 Pin RDDR2, 240 pin, whatever, would work with PPC computers. There's nothing magical about Macs, they're just computers and they just need the RAM that is compatible with it.

Well let me put it like this. I've heard a lot less moaning about RAM compatibility since Apple moved to Intel. I do not have anything to back that up with at all, and there is likely no explanation on the planet as to why. This is purely what I have seen working in various stores.

PS: thanks for not doing any research and saying what you've "heard" as fact. It really makes other people who believe you look as dumb as.... well...

I never said anything that I heard. I stated information that I had read from many respected people, combined with my own outlook on the subject, and from what I had seen working at various computer stores. I then formed an opinion.

When you buy Apple RAM, you are guaranteed to be buying RAM that is 100% compatible with your computer. Regardless of the fact if 99% of all other RAM would work flawlessly. And this guarantee is extremely important for some people who spend millions of dollars on equipment in professional situations.
Click to expand...

lolz, sick burn
 
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