Quad-core iMac - how much ram?

[discofuel]

Just about to purchase a Quad-Core iMac. I'll be using it primarily for music applications - Pro Tools, Logic etc and perhaps some simple video editing with Final Cut.

Will 4gb RAM be enough or should I upgrade to 8gb?

If I found I needed more could I purchase later and install myself?

 

[pionata]

Just about to purchase a Quad-Core iMac. I'll be using it primarily for music applications - Pro Tools, Logic etc and perhaps some simple video editing with Final Cut.

Will 4gb RAM be enough or should I upgrade to 8gb?

If I found I needed more could I purchase later and install myself?

Yes, it's really easy to install, the manual tells you how (just 3 screws at the bottom of the screen - tilt back, remove screws, replace ram). You can add some later if you need it or when the ram get's cheaper.

I run huge audio projects and rarely go over 4 gigs of ram. I got 8 gigs because I needed it for loading much samples into the ram, else I would never need more than 4 gigs or less.

 

[Badger^2]

A 5 year old could install more ram in an iMac.

Get it stock and add your own, $110 for another 4 gigs.

dont pay the "apple tax" for drives and ram.

 

[MacMojo1]

I would put in 8GB of ram, that's what I did and Logic 9 64-bit takes full advantage of the higher ram ceiling. I see it when playing 40+ tracks that Logic takes like 3GB so having the extra to run a Live 8 session in the background is very useful. I have had CS4 and FC open and the damn machine keeps chugging along. Disk I/O is the bottleneck and I need to solve that with a SSD someday.

So 8GB for sure and its easy to install like the others have stated.

 

[jimmerz]

i got 8 gig in mine only because i was not about to spend a G note on 16 gig when i know the price will drop big time in a few months and i can upgrade it later. in my own personal opinion 8 gig is plenty for right now if you dont plan on doing anything overly taxing on the system. also just like one of the other fellas said here you can always upgrade it later.

 

[Hellhammer]

dont pay the "apple tax" for drives and ram.

RAM, yes but I'm happy to pay few 10€ more for the HD I want than taking the iMac apart and (possibly) voiding warranty.

As others have said, get 4GB and then upgrade if you think you need. I advice you to try with 4GB first and then keep your eyes on RAM usage and if it's high and you notice slow downs, bump it to 8GB

 

[Sambo110]

Let me guess, the four gigs are in two 2 gig sticks? Why can't they just use one four gig stick, so you can slowly upgrade it to 16 if you need, instead of having to replace your existing sticks.

 

[Hellhammer]

Let me guess, the four gigs are in two 2 gig sticks? Why can't they just use one four gig stick, so you can slowly upgrade it to 16 if you need, instead of having to replace your existing sticks.

Because 2x2GB is ~100$ while one 4GB stick is +200$. Be happy that Apple didn't put 4x1GB... That wouldn't be the first time...

 

[DarwinOSX]

Most people will be quite happy with 4 GB. Given what you want to do you should go to 8. It's cheap anyway.

 

[discofuel]

Thanks for the advice - think I'll go with 4gb and add more later if I need it.

 

[CBedo]

There are 4 slots in the iMac, and the original 4 gig will come with 2 2 gig parts installed. It's definitely cheaper to buy RAM from a third party. You can get 2 4 gig sticks for under 400 if you look around a bit and install them in the two open slots, giving you 12 gig total. Then, if you ever really need more, you can replace the original 2 2s with 2 4s to get to 16 gig.

 

[mtkagan]

well 2x4gb sticks on OWC is 349. not a bad deal. since that way youre still paired up 2x4 and 2x4 for 12gb and you can upgrade to 16 in the future