What RAM to buy to update new iMac launched today?

[SaSaSushi]

I'm looking at buying Hynix, but no luck so far. From what I gather in this thread, Crucial would be next best on the list(?) as I'm based in the UK and would rather not import from OWC.

If you can get your hands on any of the Crucial brands mentioned by users in here, you will be fine. Even Crucial RAM that Crucial reports as not-compatible-with-2017-iMac like my Ballistix Sport works fine. That said, many are reporting that the Crucial "for iMac" RAM is their cheapest option. I would definitely recommend that first if it is the best priced for you.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I'm looking at buying Hynix, but no luck so far. From what I gather in this thread, Crucial would be next best on the list(?) as I'm based in the UK and would rather not import from OWC.

How much are you looking to get? If you are upgrading from 8 GB to 16 GB you can probably get Apple stock parts from someone who is going to use all four slots for their upgrade.

I think I am going to do exactly that, which means I'd sell my stock 2x4 GB, but I am located in Sweden so I guess that wouldn't help you much.

 

[PannaKO]

If you can get your hands on any of the Crucial brands mentioned by users in here, you will be fine. Even Crucial RAM that Crucial reports as not-compatible-with-2017-iMac like my Ballistix Sport works fine. That said, many are reporting that the Crucial "for iMac" RAM is their cheapest option. I would definitely recommend that first if it is the best priced for you.

I always have a fear that, unless the parts are a specific match for Apple that it could have a higher failure rate.

I'd pay more than what Crucial are pricing if I knew it was perfect for Mac. It's just this time, Apple are charging way more excessively than I can justify - we can get 64gb for the same price as Apple are charging for 32gb .

How much are you looking to get? If you are upgrading from 8 GB to 16 GB you can probably get Apple stock parts from someone who is going to use all four slots for their upgrade.

I think I am going to do exactly that, which means I'd sell my stock 2x4 GB, but I am located in Sweden so I guess that wouldn't help you much.

I was looking to start off with 32gb and maybe get another 32gb down the line. Unfortunately that would leave me with Apple's stock 8gb to waste as I'm not much of a proactive seller.

I don't know about your usage, I think I'm an average user and I don't feel 16gb is enough - maybe my system isn't clearing unused space properly, but I get memory swaps after a while.

 

[Ice Dragon]

It's dual channel, so having 4 slots populated won't particularly help performance. On the opposite, you'll have have to throw away modules if you do further upgrades.
Unless you refer to the slots that Apple populates when you configure your Mac. I highly suspect they use only two slots. I also suggest you purchase your iMac with 8GB RAM, unless you don't mind paying twice the price.

Yes. Thank you. I was actually asking what Apple uses for their configuration.

 

[hipnotizer]

Greetings all.

Just a quick question.

I have been looking at upgrading the ram in my new imac. Would either of these work? I think they both meet compatibility with Imac but just want to make sure.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_326_1325&item_id=093062

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01G26166W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Rychiar]

i don't see why not

 

[posguy99]

Both of them claim a CAS Latency of 16. If you're going to remove the memory the machine ships with, they may work, if you leave the existing memory the iMac will try to force everything to CL16, and slow things down to 2133.

Most likely.

That's what is being experienced by people in the other thread, that you didn't bother searching for.

 

[SaSaSushi]

I always have a fear that, unless the parts are a specific match for Apple that it could have a higher failure rate.

Crucial RAM has a lifetime warranty. I used Crucial RAM in my former Late-2013 iMac for 3.5 years after going through two incompatible options that caused kernel panics. After that I had zero issues.

I have been using this Crucial Ballistix in the new iMac for a solid week and a half and putting it through its paces and it too has been rock solid.

I don't think you need to worry too much about it.

 

[batman75]

Crucial RAM has a lifetime warranty. I used Crucial RAM in my former Late-2013 iMac for 3.5 years after going through two incompatible options that caused kernel panics. After that I had zero issues.

I have been using this Crucial Ballistix in the new iMac for a solid week and a half and putting it through its paces and it too has been rock solid.

I don't think you need to worry too much about it.

Is this the one you got?

https://smile.amazon.com/Ballistix-...0&keywords=crucial+ballistix+64GB+ddr4+SODIMM

 

[SaSaSushi]

Is this the one you got?

https://smile.amazon.com/Ballistix-...0&keywords=crucial+ballistix+64GB+ddr4+SODIMM

It is hard for me to say for sure because MacRumors continues to use the intensely annoying Georiot which localizes Amazon URLs but that is showing up here as the following:

Ballistix Sport LT 64GB Kit (16GBx4) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) DIMM 288-Pin - BLS4K16G4D240FSE (Red)

If so, then this is most definitely not the RAM I bought. That is desktop (288-pin) RAM so do not buy it.

This is the RAM I got at Amazon.com: (although I bought mine from Amazon Japan)

 

[Einz]

I took your advice and ordered the Crucial today from Amazon for $216.87 as of right now. I think this is a solid price for this RAM and I think your right about people getting hung up on scores. The real world difference won't be any at all and if it is I'm sure its extremely minor. For anyone else interested in ordering, here is the link. I would buy quickly as the price can change any minute. https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-16GBx2-PC4-19200-Unbuffered-260-Pin/dp/B019FRCV9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498176974&sr=8-1&keywords=Crucial+32GB+Kit+(16GBx2)+DDR4+2400+MT/s+(PC4-19200)+DR+x8+Unbuffered+SODIMM+260-Pin+Memory+-+CT2K16G4SFD824A

Me too, Returned the HyperX and got the Crucial so I can use the them with the stock RAM at 2400.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Both of them claim a CAS Latency of 16. If you're going to remove the memory the machine ships with, they may work, if you leave the existing memory the iMac will try to force everything to CL16, and slow things down to 2133.

Most likely.

That's what is being experienced by people in the other thread, that you didn't bother searching for.

Although the OP did not bother searching for an answer before posting, that is not what is being experienced. CL16 RAM (or faster) will not cause 2400MHz RAM to run at 2133MHz.

The users who were seeing their systems clock back to 2133MHz when added to Apple's stock RAM were using Kingston HyperX RAM that is actually overclocked 2133MHz.

As previously mentioned, I am using 2x16GB Crucial Ballistix Sport PC4-19200 2400MHz (CL16) in addition to the 2x4GB of stock Apple RAM and 40GB is working fine at 2400MHz.

Added RAM with the same CAS Latency or faster than the Apple Stock RAM will not cause any problems aside from all of the RAM running at the CL of the slowest part. However, slower RAM that is overclocked to 2400MHz will cause Apple's RAM to clock back to the slower speeds.

 

[Quash]

For those that are still deciding.
Just got my iMac (middle one i5-7600), I use the Kingston Hyper-X memory and it does make a difference. Around 7%-9% in my case.
With the Kingston memory my Geekbench scores are higher than most i5-7600K top end models and that without the extra 20w under load which is nice!

For those that are interested: https://browser.geekbench.com/user/131725

Memory copy: 12.9 vs 19.8GB/sec

 

[Trebuin]

For those that are still deciding.
Just got my iMac (middle one i5-7600), I use the Kingston Hyper-X memory and it does make a difference. Around 7%-9% in my case.
With the Kingston memory my Geekbench scores are higher than most i5-7600K top end models and that without the extra 20w under load which is nice!

For those that are interested: https://browser.geekbench.com/user/131725

Memory copy: 12.9 vs 19.8GB/sec

Are you able to encode anything with handbrake between the difference CL ram to see if that makes a difference at all?

 

[batman75]

For those that are still deciding.
Just got my iMac (middle one i5-7600), I use the Kingston Hyper-X memory and it does make a difference. Around 7%-9% in my case.
With the Kingston memory my Geekbench scores are higher than most i5-7600K top end models and that without the extra 20w under load which is nice!

For those that are interested: https://browser.geekbench.com/user/131725

Memory copy: 12.9 vs 19.8GB/sec

Are you saying the Kingston Hyper-X is faster than the Crucial?

DO you mean this one

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-HyperX-HX424S14IBK2-32/dp/B01BNJL8I4/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

 

[PannaKO]

Crucial RAM has a lifetime warranty. I used Crucial RAM in my former Late-2013 iMac for 3.5 years after going through two incompatible options that caused kernel panics. After that I had zero issues.

I have been using this Crucial Ballistix in the new iMac for a solid week and a half and putting it through its paces and it too has been rock solid.

I don't think you need to worry too much about it.

Ok, that sounds good enough me, as soon as the 'Mac' RAM is back in stock at Crucial, I'll probably be going for that.
Thanks for your input SaSaSushi

 

[macryan1]

Anybody tried this RAM? Was browsing through the Crucial stuff but it's all out of stock and I'm trying to purchase the new iMac within the next few days and want the RAM ready whenever it comes (although its going to be BTO so at least 1 week). Anywhere else other than above site to buy the "approved" DDR4, 2400 ram with CL17 so it will play nicely with the included iMac RAM?

I just purchased one 8GB stick from DataMemorySystems, installed it and it's working fine. I moved one of the 4GB to a neighboring slot and put the 8GB in one of the open slots....to pair capacity. It may be the placebo effect but it does seem snappier. Some time later I will install another 8GB.

https://www.datamemorysystems.com/dm50-328-1/

 

[batman75]

It is hard for me to say for sure because MacRumors continues to use the intensely annoying Georiot which localizes Amazon URLs but that is showing up here as the following:

Ballistix Sport LT 64GB Kit (16GBx4) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) DIMM 288-Pin - BLS4K16G4D240FSE (Red)

If so, then this is most definitely not the RAM I bought. That is desktop (288-pin) RAM so do not buy it.

This is the RAM I got at Amazon.com: (although I bought mine from Amazon Japan)

Is it this one?

Ballistix Sport LT 32GB Kit (16GBx2) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) SODIMM 260-Pin - BLS2K16G4S240FSD (Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGOF3E4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_98XuzbX7VJ3YE

 

[Ice Dragon]

What configuration does Apple use? 8 = 2x4 so 16 = 2x8 and 32 = 2x16

 

[SaSaSushi]

Is it this one?

Ballistix Sport LT 32GB Kit (16GBx2) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) SODIMM 260-Pin - BLS2K16G4S240FSD (Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGOF3E4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_98XuzbX7VJ3YE

That is exactly the RAM I am using. If you check the reviews at the bottom of the page, you can see a comment from another 2017 iMac user who is having no problems with it. There are similar comments on the Amazon Japan page.

 

[batman75]

That is exactly the RAM I am using. If you check the reviews at the bottom of the page, you can see a comment from another 2017 iMac user who is having no problems with it. There are similar comments on the Amazon Japan page.

Thanks I ordered it.

 

[Blazer5913]

That is exactly the RAM I am using. If you check the reviews at the bottom of the page, you can see a comment from another 2017 iMac user who is having no problems with it. There are similar comments on the Amazon Japan page.

Just ordered the exact same RAM from Amazon, but 16gb total. And on a bigger note, ordered my brand new iMac! So excited. RAM will be here in a few days, but the iMac likely a few weeks. But went with i5 3.8, 512GB SSD, 8Gb RAM to be upgraded to 24GB total, Radeon 575. Can't wait - this is coming from a 2011 iMac 27" non-retina and spinning 5400 HDD. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

 

[BuCkDoG]

Just ordered the exact same RAM from Amazon, but 16gb total. And on a bigger note, ordered my brand new iMac! So excited. RAM will be here in a few days, but the iMac likely a few weeks. But went with i5 3.8, 512GB SSD, 8Gb RAM to be upgraded to 24GB total, Radeon 575. Can't wait - this is coming from a 2011 iMac 27" non-retina and spinning 5400 HDD. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

The iMac is absolutely incredible your going to love it!

 

[Blazer5913]

The iMac is absolutely incredible your going to love it!

Thanks so much! Can't wait for everything to get here and fire it up. The RAM upgrade should be huge, but mainly going from a spinning HDD to SSD and non-retina to retina should be huge. The upgraded processor and video RAM and everything else should be icing on the cake as well. Now just have to be patient and wait. Thanks for all the help everybody!

 

[AGE___!]

OK this place is just round the corner from me. It doesn't specify the amount of pins. Anyone know if it is ok to use?
http://cplonline.com.au/memory/crucial-16gb-2-x-8gb-ct2k8g4sfs824a-ddr4-2400-sodimm-memory.html

Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) CT2K8G4SFS824A DDR4 2400 SoDimm Memory
Model # : CT2K8G4SFS824A