Opinion 24GB vs 32GB on late 2013 Core-i5 3.2 iMac 14,2 - Any noticeable difference in performance?

[danev375]

Yeah, never can have too much memory...but as a value-type question of opinion, wondering if anyone with a similar older model either feels, or benchmarks a difference.

Just got a nice late 2013 Core-i5 3.2 iMac 14,2 with stock 8GB RAM (4GB+4GB). Can either add 2x8GB for 24GB, or go 4x8GB (for 2x$). Currently test-running an at-hand cloned El Capitan externally, probably will go Catalina on the internal 1TB HDD. No heavy video processing use expected, but have a tendency to keep multiple windows/tabs open.

Thanks.

 

[macguru9999]

biggest difference is to fit a sata ssd instead of the spinner ... if you can do it safely thats the first upgrade to make....

 

[f0li0]

never mind

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Yeah, never can have too much memory...but as a value-type question of opinion, wondering if anyone with a similar older model either feels, or benchmarks a difference.

Just got a nice late 2013 Core-i5 3.2 iMac 14,2 with stock 8GB RAM (4GB+4GB). Can either add 2x8GB for 24GB, or go 4x8GB (for 2x$). Currently test-running an at-hand cloned El Capitan externally, probably will go Catalina on the internal 1TB HDD. No heavy video processing use expected, but have a tendency to keep multiple windows/tabs open.

Thanks.

For value type: An SSD upgrade is more worthy than RAM upgrade from 8GB, and should be prioritized.
For value type (labor/time cost): An external SSD upgrade is more worthy and less risky than internal SATA SSD upgrade.

For ultimate upgrade: Install 32GB of RAM and 2TB of Apple nVME stick inside the iMac.

For real value type: If you can do with 8GB of RAM and an external SSD, don't upgrade at all.

 

[pshufd]

I have a 2014 with 32 GB of RAM and an SSD and the extra RAM is nice as a lot of stuff is cached so the computer is more responsive than it would be with less RAM. I also run Windows on it from time to time and that uses up about 9 GB of RAM and it's nice to be able to do that. The RAM for the 2013 is under $100 to get 4 8 GB sticks using A-Tech RAM. I guess you already have 8 GB and are thinking of just adding two sticks. I imagine the either would be fine.

 

[danev375]

Thanks kindly for the comments. Agree that current RAM prices are pretty good for this machine.
Very comprehensive and useful "value" chart.
Interesting thoughts about SSD vs the internal HDD. As iMacs are not famous for simple internal access, an external SSD would be especially easy to try out. (Have a "2.5" SSD not in use, and a USB 3.0 drive dock.)
Hmm. 7200rpmHDD/SATA3 vs SSD/SATA3->USB 3.0.
(Don't imagine a Thunderbolt 1 enclosure was ever offered.)

 

[EugW]

I have 24 GB RAM in my 2017 27" iMac.

In 5 years I have never once thought I needed more RAM, and even though sometimes I have significantly heavier usage than what you describe. Right at this moment I'm not heavily multitasking, but FWIW, here is my Activity Monitor memory pressure with Excel with a small spreadsheet open, plus Mail, Messages, and Safari with a few pages open. Word, Chrome, and Firefox are also loaded, but with no documents/pages active.

I've also run this with an 8 GB machine, and it also runs fine, although there is significantly more compressed memory and typically 1-2 GB of swap, with (very) occasional lags. 16 GB is better, and probably is sufficient for what you describe, but 24 GB gives you a huge cushion. 32 GB would be complete overkill.

BTW, yes, a USB 3.0 SATA SSD would be adequate. I ran a FireWire 800 SATA SSD with my 27" 2010 iMac with OK results, but in the end I installed an internal SATA SSD instead. However, my understanding is that 2010 model is easier to open than the 2013 since the 2010's front glass is held on with magnets, not adhesive.

I agree with the others though: Internal SSD + 8 GB RAM is way better than hard drive + 24 GB RAM. External SSD + 8 GB RAM is also better than hard drive + 24 GB RAM

 

[danev375]

Do appreciate the detail.
Decided for now to go for adding 16GB for total 24GB, and pick up an inexpensive USB 3 enclosure for the SSD.
If ever need to get into the case in future, though . . .

 

[OKonnel]

Look at my setup in my Signature.
Is the best. 24 GB of RAM, 2TB Crucial MX500 internal SSD, in which I have Monterey (with OCLP 0.5.0) mounted in place of the Fusion Drive mechanical HD.
Compared to Catalina, my iMac flies and Geekbench benchmarks put it on par with some 2015 and 2017 iMacs.
In the other 128GB internal Apple SSD, I have macOS Catalina for firmware updates or to be able to manage the Mac if problems occur with OCLP and Monterey.

 

[danev375]

All of them look like quite nice setups...