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Consensus on replacing the RAM before booting the 2020 iMac for the first time?
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Yeah it doesn't matter. Use the iMac as much as you want with the 8GB. You are also free to change it and then power it. Makes no difference. I personally always run the stock version first to see that everything is working correctly, before bothering wasting time on adding and replacing stuff if the system isn't working or DOA.
From purely a time standpoint, it makes sense to replace it first. That way you don't need to unplug stuff.
But as others have said, it would be wise to at least turn it on and make sure it's all working properly first. That way it'll be one less thing to troubleshoot.
That being said, I have never heard of an imac not working right out of the gate like that so the odds are very slim.
But as others have said, it would be wise to at least turn it on and make sure it's all working properly first. That way it'll be one less thing to troubleshoot.
That being said, I have never heard of an imac not working right out of the gate like that so the odds are very slim.
If your iMac is going to be in a place where it will be hard to access the RAM (maybe you don’t have enough room on your desk to lay the screen down and the stand can get in the way of the door a bit), I usually install the RAM as I unbox it. If I’ve got room to move around, I might start it up with the stock RAM first.
In 99.99% of cases, you don’t need to boot with the OG RAM. On the very rare chance that the RAM you bought is defective or incompatible, you’ll know pretty fast and can swap it out and start troubleshooting.
In 99.99% of cases, you don’t need to boot with the OG RAM. On the very rare chance that the RAM you bought is defective or incompatible, you’ll know pretty fast and can swap it out and start troubleshooting.
The only reason I can think of to do the stock RAM first would be if you want to run baseline benchmarks for some reason. But really, the choice is yours. Do whatever is easier for you.
In 99.99% of cases, you don’t need to boot with the OG RAM. On the very rare chance that the RAM you bought is defective or incompatible, you’ll know pretty fast and can swap it out and start troubleshooting.
In 99.99% of cases, you don’t need to boot with the OG RAM. On the very rare chance that the RAM you bought is defective or incompatible, you’ll know pretty fast and can swap it out and start troubleshooting.
The only reason I can think of to do the stock RAM first would be if you want to run baseline benchmarks for some reason. But really, the choice is yours. Do whatever is easier for you.
I'll go against the grain.
Set it up and use it "as it comes out of the box" for at least a day or two before changing the RAM.
That way, you have a chance to evaluate it and be sure there aren't any defects before you start making changes...
Set it up and use it "as it comes out of the box" for at least a day or two before changing the RAM.
That way, you have a chance to evaluate it and be sure there aren't any defects before you start making changes...