Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

RAM buying advice for i7 4.2 27” iMac

tjbrownmusic

tjbrownmusic

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 19, 2018
4
0
Hello! I tried looking through the RAM threads but they’re a bit overwhelming. Got the maxed out 5k 27” iMac and I’m trying to upgrade the RAM without spending $800. Using it for music production, live streaming, and some gaming. I bought it with the minimum amount of RAM. I know RAM prices are sky high right now...should I upgrade to 40 GB with 2x16 GB’s to future-proof with 64 GB potentially in the future, or should I save money and go with 24 GB right now, or do you guys not recommend going with uneven RAM sizes. I’m not exactly sure how much I will need...my current RAM needs for audio production aren’t too crazy, but I will be gaming and streaming as well (often at the same time). Thanks for your help!
 
nambuccaheadsau said:
OWC and Crucial are Mac specialists.

Depends what you are doing with your iMac. Day to day operations as you listed just another 2 x 8Gb will be more than ample.


https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-27-inch
Click to expand...

Thanks. Like I said, audio production as well as gaming (fortnite/league of legends) while streaming simultaneously are the limit of the stress I’ll be putting on the computer. What are the chances I’ll need to fully max out the RAM during its lifetime? Will be a lot cheaper to buy another 16GB x2 later than a 16GB x4 later....also depends on how RAM prices are expected to move in the future
 
tjbrownmusic said:
Hello! I tried looking through the RAM threads but they’re a bit overwhelming. Got the maxed out 5k 27” iMac and I’m trying to upgrade the RAM without spending $800. Using it for music production, live streaming, and some gaming. I bought it with the minimum amount of RAM. I know RAM prices are sky high right now...should I upgrade to 40 GB with 2x16 GB’s to future-proof with 64 GB potentially in the future, or should I save money and go with 24 GB right now, or do you guys not recommend going with uneven RAM sizes. I’m not exactly sure how much I will need...my current RAM needs for audio production aren’t too crazy, but I will be gaming and streaming as well (often at the same time). Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

DDR4 prices are ridiculous right now. I'd just see what you need today and maybe try upgrading more later. At least that's what I'm doing, as I just bumped myself to 16GB when I got my iMac. An easy thing to do is run your most intensive program and then check System Monitor to see what your Memory Pressure looks like. Maybe 16GB will get you by for now.
 
There are two false premises concerning computers that have circulated for years.

1. SSDs will fall in price as they become more popular.

2. Memory will fall in price as the manufacturing costs decrease.

This is NOT the way the capitalist system works!! Shareholders reign supreme.
 
nambuccaheadsau said:
There are two false premises concerning computers that have circulated for years.

1. SSDs will fall in price as they become more popular.

2. Memory will fall in price as the manufacturing costs decrease.

This is NOT the way the capitalist system works!! Shareholders reign supreme.
Click to expand...
SSDs have fallen in price per GB and have gone up in speed and quality. My first SSD was like $2/GB and had issues. My last SSD was $0.25/GB and is far faster and problem free. DDR4 is currently expensive due to shortages, as smartphone manufacturers are absorbing a lot of stock. Additional supply can’t just be turned on “just like that.” The market will adjust. RAM used to be over $100 for a MEGAbyte. You can’t tell me that even with today’s high prices that cost hasn’t improved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back