What RAM to buy to update new iMac launched today?

[HiFiGuy528]

Wanna buy mine? I took the 8GB of stock RAM out of mine since I bought HyperX (which doesn't play nicely with the stock RAM).

I just bought it on eBay for $55 shipped. Thanks for the offer though.

 

[Vistan]

In early July, I fired up my new 27" iMac base model with 8 GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. About a week later, I installed two 8GB sticks of RAM, which increased the memory to 24GB. I used the Crucial CT8G4SF824A modules since the Crucial modules specifically recommended by Crucial for the new iMac were not available. Several posts in this thread indicated that the 824A modules would work fine, and they did. About a week later, I began to get various shutdown messages for processes, programs and the computer itself. Over the past weekend, the shutdowns suddenly increased in frequency. Finally, the iMac refused to startup. Following several hours of phone troubleshooting with Apple tech support, they advised me that it was a hardware problem and that I should exchange it at an Apple Store.

Now, I have a new iMac coming next week. Same configuration. I'm a little afraid to install the Crucial modules in case they were the cause of the problems with the first iMac. Comments? Advice? Recommendations? How can I verify that the modules are OK?

 

[SaSaSushi]

In early July, I fired up my new 27" iMac base model with 8 GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. About a week later, I installed two 8GB sticks of RAM, which increased the memory to 24GB. I used the Crucial CT8G4SF824A modules since the Crucial modules specifically recommended by Crucial for the new iMac were not available. Several posts in this thread indicated that the 824A modules would work fine, and they did. About a week later, I began to get various shutdown messages for processes, programs and the computer itself. Over the past weekend, the shutdowns suddenly increased in frequency. Finally, the iMac refused to startup. Following several hours of phone troubleshooting with Apple tech support, they advised me that it was a hardware problem and that I should exchange it at an Apple Store.

Now, I have a new iMac coming next week. Same configuration. I'm a little afraid to install the Crucial modules in case they were the cause of the problems with the first iMac. Comments? Advice? Recommendations? How can I verify that the modules are OK?

ANY make or brand of RAM can have bad parts. You should have tried removing the additional RAM before sending back the machine to see if that had any effect on the instability. With my previous Late 2013 iMac, the first set of "iMac-certified" RAM I got from Crucial was bad and caused constant kernel panics. I got a replacement set and it was fine.

Additionally, you could have run Memtest86.

I'd advise you to do both with the replacement machine if the same problems occur.

Bad RAM can cause system instability/crashes but will not damage the machine and removing it removes the problem.

 

[whcvip]

In early July, I fired up my new 27" iMac base model with 8 GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. About a week later, I installed two 8GB sticks of RAM, which increased the memory to 24GB. I used the Crucial CT8G4SF824A modules since the Crucial modules specifically recommended by Crucial for the new iMac were not available. Several posts in this thread indicated that the 824A modules would work fine, and they did. About a week later, I began to get various shutdown messages for processes, programs and the computer itself. Over the past weekend, the shutdowns suddenly increased in frequency. Finally, the iMac refused to startup. Following several hours of phone troubleshooting with Apple tech support, they advised me that it was a hardware problem and that I should exchange it at an Apple Store.

Now, I have a new iMac coming next week. Same configuration. I'm a little afraid to install the Crucial modules in case they were the cause of the problems with the first iMac. Comments? Advice? Recommendations? How can I verify that the modules are OK?

What config iMac do you have? When you get new iMac try run memtest86 for at least 3 hours.

Could be a hardware problem with the iMac, if it is the memory then you should get error with memtest86, in that case you should exchange your memory.

Else all Crusial 2400 MHz should work fine in the 2017 iMac.

 

[Trebuin]

Given the changes in the system, it is possible that something else could have gone on. I, unfortunately, had to turn my 2017 iMac back into apple after a non-memory hardware fault. They were suspecting the io Board...maybe usb 3.1. Anyhow, the machine is getting completely torn apart to determine the exact cause so I expect some people may see some issues.

 

[Bob418]

I'd suggest people to by RAM with specific brand/series names, not the general types. I believe most RAM vendors maintain better quality or specification controls for those brands/series. You can look through Amazon for those brand/series names that have maintain their reputations for long period. They might be a little more expensive, but not so much comparing to the cost you pay for your Mac. As for the "Qualified for Mac" label, I don't think it's that important. It only guaranty compatibility, not quality, nor performance.

 

[jnexflex]

Hi there,
i can confirm, that standard Crucial 2x16GB CL17 2400Mhz for PC works perfectly fine with original 2x4GB Apple(Hynix brand) in my Imac. Check the screen below the text.
My conf. i7, 512GB SSD, AMD 580 8GB.
But I'd to try same brand, but faster speed and highier CL. Does anyone experience with Crucial 2666 MHz CL16 or Kingston 2400MHz CL14? I will use only 32GB.
Thx for reply.

 

[whcvip]

For those who are interested, I have made a little video installing Crusial Ballistix Sport DDR4 32GB in my 2017 5K iMac. They work very well, and am getting better benchmarks after upgrade then before with stock 8GB RAM.

Hope this is helpfull .

 

[SaSaSushi]

I finally got around to testing my Crucial Ballistix Sport RAM as promised a long while back.

From my testing, I can confirm that swapping the Ballistix into DIMM0 where the Apple stock Micron comes installed, does not make for any improvement. This makes sense because the machine needs to clock all installed RAM back to the speed of the lowest common denominator anyway. In this case, all RAM must run at the CL17 of the Apple Micron. In fact, I got the best results with the Apple stock RAM in DIMM0 and Ballistix in DIMM1:

40GB - Apple Micron 2x4GB in DIMM0 and Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x16GB in DIMM1:

Multi-core was in the high 19000s consistently with the Ballistix in DIMM0 and Apple in DIMM1.

As expected, the Ballistix on its own did provide some marginally increased performance:

32GB - Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x16GB in DIMM0

I want to add a very important point to anyone who is changing RAM configurations on an iMac:

When first booting up after any changes, it takes about 30 seconds or more with a black screen as the machine initializes the new configuration. I think some users may be thinking the RAM is bad after about 20 seconds and are shutting down or restarting.

From Apple's iMac Memory Installation page:

Your iMac performs a memory initialization procedure when you first turn it on after upgrading memory or rearranging DIMMs. This process can take 30 seconds or more, and the display of your iMac remains dark until it's finished. Make sure to let the memory initialization complete.

Be sure to wait at least a solid 60 seconds.

 

[Bob418]

I finally got around to testing my Crucial Ballistix as promised a long while back.

From my testing, I can confirm that swapping the Ballistix into DIMM0 where the Apple stock Micron comes installed, does not make for any improvement. This makes sense because the machine needs to clock all installed RAM back to the speed of the lowest common denominator anyway. In this case, all RAM must run at the CL17 of the Apple Micron. In fact, I got the best results with the Apple stock RAM in DIMM0 and Ballistix in DIMM1:

40GB - Apple Micron 2x4GB in DIMM0 and Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x16GB in DIMM1:

Multi-core was in the high 19000s consistently with the Ballistix in DIMM0 and Apple in DIMM1.

As expected, the Ballistix on its own did provide some marginally increased performance:

32GB - Crucial Ballistix Sport 2x16GB in DIMM0

I want to add a very important point to anyone who is changing RAM configurations on an iMac:

When first booting up after any changes, it takes about 30 seconds or more with a black screen as the machine initializes the new configuration. I think some users may be thinking the RAM is bad after about 20 seconds and are shutting down or restarting.

From Apple's iMac Memory Installation page:

Your iMac performs a memory initialization procedure when you first turn it on after upgrading memory or rearranging DIMMs. This process can take 30 seconds or more, and the display of your iMac remains dark until it's finished. Make sure to let the memory initialization complete.

Be sure to wait at least a solid 60 seconds.

Nice test! It matches what I did with Corsair 32GB memory kit. They can work with Apple's original stock, but work better on their own.

 

[JVNeumann]

From Apple's iMac Memory Installation page:

Your iMac performs a memory initialization procedure when you first turn it on after upgrading memory or rearranging DIMMs. This process can take 30 seconds or more, and the display of your iMac remains dark until it's finished. Make sure to let the memory initialization complete.

Be sure to wait at least a solid 60 seconds.

Oh man. I tried to update my RAM this morning and was pulling my hair out over the black screen before I had to rush off to work. Really itching to get back and have another look now.

 

[Ezcompane]

I finally got around to testing my Crucial Ballistix as promised a long while back.

I want to add a very important point to anyone who is changing RAM configurations on an iMac:

When first booting up after any changes, it takes about 30 seconds or more with a black screen as the machine initializes the new configuration. I think some users may be thinking the RAM is bad after about 20 seconds and are shutting down or restarting.

From Apple's iMac Memory Installation page:

Your iMac performs a memory initialization procedure when you first turn it on after upgrading memory or rearranging DIMMs. This process can take 30 seconds or more, and the display of your iMac remains dark until it's finished. Make sure to let the memory initialization complete.

Be sure to wait at least a solid 60 seconds.

Thank you for this insight. I plan to order RAM next week so I can upgrade as quick as possible. This is my first non-MacBook Air in almost 10 years so I'm a little anxious about upgrading internal parts. I think I will order the same Ballistix that you have as they are currently in stock at Amazon for a few dollars less than what others' have posted.

 

[chicagofan00]

Has anyone actually thrown the new RAM in there right away before even doing an initial boot up of the iMac after receiving it? Just curious if it would be better to boot it up once and get the initial setup out of the way first and then power down to upgrade or if I can go ahead an upgrade before even turning on for the first time.

The last couple of iMacs I've had I've always upgrade the RAM a little later down the road rather than having it already in hand before the iMac arrives.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Has anyone actually thrown the new RAM in there right away before even doing an initial boot up of the iMac after receiving it? Just curious if it would be better to boot it up once and get the initial setup out of the way first and then power down to upgrade or if I can go ahead an upgrade before even turning on for the first time.

I installed my additional 32GB before powering up the machine for the first time.

To answer your question, no, there is no particular advantage to first powering on with the stock RAM on its own. There is no disadvantage either, aside from having to power down again to install it.

 

[tgara]

I installed my additional 32GB before powering up the machine for the first time.

To answer your question, no, there is no particular advantage to first powering on with the stock RAM on its own. There is no disadvantage either, aside from having to power down again to install it.

Thanks for the info on this, it is helpful to know.

I had two additional questions for the group if you don't mind...

1. In deciding which RAM chipset to purchase to upgrade from the stock 8 GB on the new 2017 27 inch iMac, does it matter which processor the machine has? I ask because on the Crucial site, there is a separate selection for the 3.4GHz processor, and another selection for what appears to be the other processors (3.5, 3.8 and 4.2 GHz). Or is this only important when ordering Crucial memory? I note that Macsales doesn't appear to make any distinction on their memory. I'm getting the 4.2 GHz processor (upgrade from the 3.8), so any recommendations on RAM brands would be helpful.

2. When installing the memory, is it easiest to set the iMac on it's foot as it would be under normal use, or should it be placed "face down" on it's screen? I ask because when I upgraded the memory on my 2010 iMac way back when, the slots were located under a narrow panel on the bottom of the (thick) enclosure. I placed my machine face down on a towel when I did it.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[SaSaSushi]

1. In deciding which RAM chipset to purchase to upgrade from the stock 8 GB on the new 2017 27 inch iMac, does it matter which processor the machine has? I ask because on the Crucial site, there is a separate selection for the 3.4GHz processor, and another selection for what appears to be the other processors (3.5, 3.8 and 4.2 GHz). Or is this only important when ordering Crucial memory? I note that Macsales doesn't appear to make any distinction on their memory. I'm getting the 4.2 GHz processor (upgrade from the 3.8), so any recommendations on RAM brands would be helpful.

The 2017 iMac uses the same PC4-19200 260-pin SO-DIMM in all configurations. There is no special RAM per processor. See Apple's page on memory requirements for the 2017 iMac.

2. When installing the memory, is it easiest to set the iMac on it's foot as it would be under normal use, or should it be placed "face down" on it's screen? I ask because when I upgraded the memory on my 2010 iMac way back when, the slots were located under a narrow panel on the bottom of the (thick) enclosure. I placed my machine face down on a towel when I did it.

It might be easier for some to just install RAM with the iMac on its stand but I always lay it down on a towel. This allows the use of both hands. Seating the DIMMs properly requires a fair amount of pressure. Removal is also easier.

 

[chicagofan00]

I installed my additional 32GB before powering up the machine for the first time.

To answer your question, no, there is no particular advantage to first powering on with the stock RAM on its own. There is no disadvantage either, aside from having to power down again to install it.

Thanks!

 

[jlseattle]

For those who are interested, I have made a little video installing Crusial Ballistix Sport DDR4 32GB in my 2017 5K iMac. They work very well, and am getting better benchmarks after upgrade then before with stock 8GB RAM.

So, I was thinking of purchasing the Crucial Ballistix off Amazon but am concerned about it not being "iMac" compatible. In the question/answer section they mention that they don't recommend this ram for the iMac. So is it "use at your own risk" to get this RAM?

 

[SaSaSushi]

So, I was thinking of purchasing the Crucial Ballistix off Amazon but am concerned about it not being "iMac" compatible. In the question/answer section they mention that they don't recommend this ram for the iMac. So is it "use at your own risk" to get this RAM?

I don't think there is any risk involved at all.

On the Amazon Japan page for the Ballistix where I purchased mine from there is a reply in the Q&A section that it has been tested it on a 2017 iMac and it works fine. There are several other users on these forums, including the author of the video you responded to above, who are happily using it in the 2017 iMac. In fact, I have yet to read one report of it not working. Go a bit farther down the page and search the user reviews at Amazon and you will find at least one from someone using it without issues in the iMac.

 

[josfx]

One question related to this...u

Do anybody know whether there is a difference between buying 32GB (2x16) in amazon vs buying 2 different DIMMS of 16GB? (assuming same exactly specs?)

I'm going to buy Ballistix sport... but I don't know whether the 32GB pack (2x16) they put 2 dimms together that fit in some way better that if you buy 2 dimms on your own.

I'm asking this because in Spain, right now in Amazon, is cheaper to buy 2 16GB than the 32GB package.

EDIT: Finally found the information in a previous post some weeks ago. Thanks anyway

 

[SaSaSushi]

Do anybody know whether there is a difference between buying 32GB (2x16) in amazon vs buying 2 different DIMMS of 16GB? (assuming same exactly specs?)

I'm going to buy Ballistix sport... but I don't know whether the 32GB pack (2x16) they put 2 dimms together that fit in some way better that if you buy 2 dimms on your own.

I'm asking this because in Spain, right now in Amazon, is cheaper to buy 2 16GB than the 32GB package.

Some will say that sets sold with two DIMMs are preferable because they are tested together and thus less likely to be susceptible to compatibility issues.

Having said that, I wouldn't worry about it too much and recommend you go with the single sets if it's cheaper. Just like you, it was cheaper (a lot) for me to buy 2 packs of 1x16GB Ballistix here in Japan and it's been working perfectly for the past month and a half.

When you take delivery, run Memtest86 for a few hours and if you see no errors then you are good to go.

 

[josfx]

thanks will do

 

[Ezcompane]

I ordered a 32GB (16GBx 2) of Corsair Vengeance. It should be here tomorrow, but my iMac is scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday.

 

[denvercx]

Question - Other than cost, why wouldn't everyone just max out the RAM in their new 2017 iMACs with (4x16) 64 GB?

Also, sorry if this has been answered before, but what is the forum's opinion on OWC vs Crucial?

Thanks!

 

[SaSaSushi]

Question - Other than cost, why wouldn't everyone just max out the RAM in their new 2017 iMACs with (4x16) 64 GB?

Not actually needing that much memory? Aside from that, only the expense.

Also, sorry if this has been answered before, but what is the forum's opinion on OWC vs Crucial?

I don't know about the forum's opinion but my personal one is that OWC is overpriced.