Advice on memory for iMac

[RunOverProducti]

I want to buy an iMAC fully loaded, 24", 3.06ghz, I want to upgrade the 4GB memory to the 8GB which costs $1,000.00 extra.

Would it make a difference if I purchased a 8GB memory from a third party and use it to save some cash? or it will ruin the iMac?

If it doesn't make a huge difference from who would you recommend buying it from?

I'm gonna use the iMac for music production Protools 8 etc...

Thank You

 

[EricNau]

Yes, you may purchase the RAM from a third party. I recommend Crucial, whose Memory Advisor Tool will help you select the appropriate RAM.

Other favorite brands around here are New Egg and Other World Computing (OCW).

You can read more here: MacRumors Guide - Buying RAM.

 

[packgrad2000]

Yeah, definitely don't buy from Apple, it's a total rip-off for something that's so easy to replace. At OWC (www.macsales.com), the 4GB modules are $350/piece, or $668 for 2. Personally, with the huge gap in price between 2 and 4GB modules, I'm going to wait...surely in another year the 4GB modules will be under $100 each.

 

[Hellhammer]

Do you really need that extra 4GB right now? 8GB is horribly priced right now. If you can wait a year or so for the price to drop you'll save hundreds. Of course it's nice to have everything maxed out but for the price of 8GB you could easily buy another computer.

My advice is to wait, if you don't need it right now.

 

[itommyboy]

I want to buy an iMAC fully loaded, 24", 3.06ghz, I want to upgrade the 4GB memory to the 8GB which costs $1,000.00 extra.

Would it make a difference if I purchased a 8GB memory from a third party and use it to save some cash? or it will ruin the iMac?

If it doesn't make a huge difference from who would you recommend buying it from?

I'm gonna use the iMac for music production Protools 8 etc...

Thank You

No it makes no difference really as long as you get it from a reputable company as mentioned above Crucial, OWC, New Egg and the like. Right now though I would stay away from Crucial because they have not dropped there prices on the DD3 yet. Samsung is now making the 4GB modules and will mass produce them so prices have started to drop already as seen at OWC or New Egg and are $300 cheaper than Cruical as of right now (and around $500 + cheaper than Apple).

For what it's worth I got my 8GB kit from OWC yesterday and it's a night and day difference. Well worth the money to have it now if you need it (or want it) now.