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RAM Question

I just pulled the trigger on the new Imac 5k 27". Still learning, so can anybody provide a link for recommended ram from amazon. Looking to go from 8gb included from apple to 24gb.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Travisimo said:
I ordered my 27" iMac with 16GB of memory from Apple (yeah I know, I should've just stuck with the stock 8GB). So while I can't change that now, I do want to upgrade to a total of 32GB. So here are my questions:

1) When ordering 16GB from Apple, do they use 4x4GB chips or 2x8GB chips? I don't know if I'll have 2 slots open or if I'll have to remove two of Apple's chips?

2) I assume it's okay to mix two of Apple's chips with two chips from a 3rd party vendor? It's look two 8GB chips from OWC is $134, so can someone point me to something comparable but perhaps less expensive?

http://blog.macsales.com/33330-owc-...2gb-for-latest-imac-with-27-retina-5k-display

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The 16GB model ships with 2 x 8GB.

I just purchased 2 x 8GB sticks of Crucial CL13 ram (Product #: CT2KIT102464BF) to upgrade to a total of 24GB (@ThomasJamesTJD). I stuck with CL13 to be consistent because the ram that ships with the iMac is also CL13.

I got my ram from B&H Photo since theirs had free shipping + no tax (ended up being cheaper than Amazon)

B&H Photo:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...l_ct2kit102464bf186d_16gb_kit_8gbx2_ddr3.html

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If I was interested in removing the ram shipped with the iMac and putting in my own ram (for a 32GB upgrade) I would probably go with the Crucial Ballistix Sport (Product #: BLS2C8G3N18AES4) since this ram will be slightly faster because it is CL10. It is also the same price as the CL13 above:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Balli...ell&keywords=crucial+ballistic+sport+204+1866
 
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KRMac said:
The 16GB model ships with 2 x 8GB.

I just purchased 2 x 8GB sticks of Crucial CL13 ram (Product #: CT2KIT102464BF) to upgrade to a total of 24GB. I stuck with CL13 to be consistent because the ram that ships with the iMac is also CL13.

I got my ram from B&H Photo since theirs had free shipping + no tax (ended up being cheaper than Amazon)

B&H Photo:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...l_ct2kit102464bf186d_16gb_kit_8gbx2_ddr3.html

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If I was interested in removing the ram shipped with the iMac and putting in my own ram (for a 32GB upgrade) I would probably go with the Crucial Ballistix Sport (Product #: BLS2C8G3N18AES4) since this ram will be slightly faster because it is CL10. It is also the same price as the CL13 above:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Balli...ell&keywords=crucial+ballistic+sport+204+1866
Click to expand...



Thanks for the reply.I purchased my new Imac configured with 8gb Ram (2x4gb). So I would need 16gb more. Would the links you provided still be my best option?
 
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ThomasJamesTJD said:
Thanks for the reply.I purchased my new Imac configured with 8gb Ram (2x4gb). So I would need 16gb more. Would the links you provided still be my best option?
Click to expand...
Yeah, that is the same upgrade I ended up going with. Since you have 2 empty slots, you can fill each with an 8GB module for a total of 24GB. You can buy the them from one of the links I posted above--they all are for 2 x 8GB modules (total of 16GB). I went with CL13 for consistency since I am not removing the ram that was shipped in the iMac, which is also CL13. I don't know if that really matters, but I'm just playing it safe. If I was upgrading from 8GB to 32GB, I would by CL10 as I mentioned above.
 
ThomasJamesTJD said:
Awesome Thank you!! How so these compare to the OWC option listed here for $117 for 16gb?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/1600DDR3S16P/
Click to expand...
The only difference is those are CL11 and it is overpriced. Technically you can upgrade to that, but since your are keeping the CL13 ram that the iMac ships with, you wouldn't get the boost it might bring (plus I don't know if there are any other effects of having two different CLs). Lower CL is better, but I am reading that there is not a major difference in real-world performance between different CLs. If CL actually matters to you and you are okay with mixing different CLs, go with the Crucial Ballistix Sport CL10 that I listed above since it is cheaper.
 
KRMac said:
The only difference is those are CL11 and it is overpriced. Technically you can upgrade to that, but since your are keeping the CL13 ram that the iMac ships with, you wouldn't get the boost it might bring (plus I don't know if there are any other effects of having two different CLs). Lower CL is better, but I am reading that there is not a major difference in real-world performance between different CLs. If CL actually matters to you and you are okay with mixing different CLs, go with the Crucial Ballistix Sport CL10 that I listed above since it is cheaper.
Click to expand...

Awesome, Got it. Thanks for taking the time to help. I will go with your recommendation.
 
ohsnaphappy said:
Someone link the 2133 that they would put in if money was no object, thanks!
Click to expand...
I am trying to decide if get Kingston HyperX 2133CL11 which after comparing many is my higher budget choice. Here in China four of them 8gbs HyperXs would end up costing about 260 bucks when Samsung standard 1833CL11 would be only 140 bucks. There are others with same speed but they cost more here (even 400-500bucks). But I'm sure these prices are cheaper in US and there's more options available. I'm not sure if there is faster CL10 or CL9 available as DDR3L 2133 and at least in China I'm unable to find any 2400MHz RAM in DDR3L
 
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I have a question


Will ram from my late 2013 iMac work in my new 5K iMac ? I think my current iMac ram is 1600MHz If not what's the cheapest 16GB kit option on amazon. I need to order something that's reliable and will work with this new 5K iMac
 
I’m also waiting for my new iMac 5K which was ordered with all specs maxed out (with the only exception of RAM). I was thinking of buying Kingston HyperX Impact 16 GB (2x 8 GB) 2133MHz DDR3L CL11 1.35V, since some people have used those in older retina iMacs. However I’m little bit worried would that HyperX Impact work and/or could it possibly even damage my new iMac? I'm not planning to use the memory sticks that iMac comes with, but do you think would it be okay to put these to new iMac 5K regardless them being 2133MHz? Anyone tried them?

I'm pretty much between Crucial Ballistix and HyperX Impact but for some reason no one here has (as far as I'm aware of) said they got either of these working properly with their new Skylake iMacs...?

Here’s the HyperX Impact memory I’m referring to... Anyone know would this work with the new iMac 5K?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Hy...5019980&sr=1-15&keywords=Kingston+hyperx+2133
 
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@MacFin I'm thinking that we'll start getting clearer information once more people have had their new machines delivered.

But I am curious about this too. I'd be really interested in reading a more comprehensive description of compatibilities and the ± of different options.

From what I've gathered, if you put in RAM that exceeds supported speeds (i.e., if 2133 is faster than what is supported), then the system will simply run it at the max speed it can. My language here is almost certainly technically incorrect, but the point is that it should work (based on what I've read).
 
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KRMac said:
The 16GB model ships with 2 x 8GB.

I just purchased 2 x 8GB sticks of Crucial CL13 ram (Product #: CT2KIT102464BF) to upgrade to a total of 24GB (@ThomasJamesTJD). I stuck with CL13 to be consistent because the ram that ships with the iMac is also CL13.

I got my ram from B&H Photo since theirs had free shipping + no tax (ended up being cheaper than Amazon)

B&H Photo:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...l_ct2kit102464bf186d_16gb_kit_8gbx2_ddr3.html

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If I was interested in removing the ram shipped with the iMac and putting in my own ram (for a 32GB upgrade) I would probably go with the Crucial Ballistix Sport (Product #: BLS2C8G3N18AES4) since this ram will be slightly faster because it is CL10. It is also the same price as the CL13 above:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Balli...ell&keywords=crucial+ballistic+sport+204+1866
Click to expand...

The B&H link says "This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available."
Not sure why...

other than that, i agree its better yo use the same spec as i don't want to remove the existing ram.
so i think any using 1866mhz, cl13, 1.35v...is good for me, but how about the memory type?
is pc3-12800 and 14900 make difference? what is the one in new imac 5k using?
 
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I can get those modules for a good cost too
In Australia. Are they CL11 at 2133mhz which is pretty impressive
 
kenchikwong said:
The B&H link says "This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available."
Not sure why...

other than that, i agree its better yo use the same spec as i don't want to remove the existing ram.
so i think any using 1866mhz, cl13, 1.35v...is good for me, but how about the memory type?
is pc3-12800 and 14900 make difference? what is the one in new imac 5k using?
Click to expand...

It looks like the CL13 from Amazon and B&H are now out of stock. I am not sure why B&H photo says discontinued, but perhaps they won't be restocking? I remember seeing CL13 available at other online retailers, so if you still want to go this route, you can search around to see if there are reasonable prices for it.

I believe PC3-12800 just refers to 1600MHz while 14900 refers to 1866MHz.
 
KRMac said:
It looks like the CL13 from Amazon and B&H are now out of stock. I am not sure why B&H photo says discontinued, but perhaps they won't be restocking? I remember seeing CL13 available at other online retailers, so if you still want to go this route, you can search around to see if there are reasonable prices for it.

I believe PC3-12800 just refers to 1600MHz while 14900 refers to 1866MHz.
Click to expand...
Holy shxt!
I found that b&h just added a new page of the exact same model of this ram and the price is $10 higher.
Also the amazon, last time i saw it (sunday morning) its still $87.xx, it said out of stock. now its "in stock" again but also rose to $97...

these guys really know how to do business...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JCRZ6XS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...102464bd186d_16gb_kit_8x2_ddr3l.html/mode/edu
 
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zerae said:
From what I've gathered, if you put in RAM that exceeds supported speeds (i.e., if 2133 is faster than what is supported), then the system will simply run it at the max speed it can. My language here is almost certainly technically incorrect, but the point is that it should work (based on what I've read).
Click to expand...


I think you are spot on with this, however I know in the big bad days of Core 2 Duo Mac's if I put faster ram (x2 2GB Sticks) in a 2007 Macbook Pro that was faster than the system supported; it wouldn't boot. If you put in 1 original stick and a faster other stick; it booted and did what you say.

I've just not had any experience with the newer machines as most of the machines I have, have soldered ram.

But I think you are correct; well, i'm going to test your theory.
 
UKgaryb said:
I think you are spot on with this, however I know in the big bad days of Core 2 Duo Mac's if I put faster ram (x2 2GB Sticks) in a 2007 Macbook Pro that was faster than the system supported; it wouldn't boot. If you put in 1 original stick and a faster other stick; it booted and did what you say.

I've just not had any experience with the newer machines as most of the machines I have, have soldered ram.

But I think you are correct; well, i'm going to test your theory.
Click to expand...
It was the time when the memory controller was on the motherboard's northbridge. With today i5 and i7, the memory is controlled by the cpu, which can handle at least 2400 MHz memory.
If you don't mix modules, you will be ok with 1866 or 2133 MHz modules, running at the correct speed ;)
 
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