Using 1066 ram on a 1600 (2013 27") imac

[zalle]

Hi guys,

My wife has 2 different 27" imacs in 2 locations, one is a late 2012, another a late 2013.

I have 16gb of ram 1600mhz, that is suitable for them. I also have 16gb of 1066mhz ram (from a dead 2009 imac).

Question is:

Should I use 8gb ram on each, or use 16gb ram 1600mhz on one and 16gb 1066mhz on the other?

If I use the 1066, does it make a difference if it's the 2012 or the 2013?

Thanks

 

[wilberforce]

I would use 16GB on each. I think you will benefit more from having 16GB of slower memory (on one of them), than from having 8GB of faster memory. I think this is what you are asking.

This assumes the 1066 MHz RAM is actually compatible. Hopefully you won't get kernel panics, crashes, or lost data.
As for using the 1066 MHz RAM on the 2012 or 2013, this depends exactly on how each is configured (hardware spec). Suggest just try it both ways.

Seeing another 16GB of 1600MHz RAM is only ~$25, and a 2012/2013 machine probably needs all the speed improvement it can get, I would think it worth the $25 to upgrade them the best.

 

[saudor]

kinda hard to follow what you're asking as im unsure what kind of sticks you have (1x16gb or 2x8, etc) but here are some pointers:

1.) RAM will clock down to the slowest one if you mix them however it's not guaranteed for those sticks to work together. (you might see some odd crashes but many times you will be ok)

2.) The speed difference between 1066 and 1600 isn't alot for most daily tasks

3.) More memory that is slower is probably a better idea than having less of a faster memory where you might start hitting the limits

 

[zalle]

Thanks guys.

I have 4x4gb 1600 and 4x4gb 1066

I don't want to mix them together, just use 1600 on one and 1066 on the other.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I generally wouldn't mix and match RAM types. Higher speed RAM on computers that only support slower speed RAM will usually down-clock automatically. Though, I generally find that it's best to just use the speed of RAM recommended by the computer's manufacturer. And yeah, I'd imagine that RAM for a 2013 iMac is probably dirt cheap right now. Hell, I'm gearing to move in the next four months. I might even have that RAM lying around!