RAM upgrade iMac

mcdonald · 9th November 2007, 17:29

Hi there,

I was at Ibn-Battuta Mall Macstore today, asking about upgrading the RAM in my 17" 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac machine. It is currently running the factory supplied 2 x 256MB. The fellow at the shop said it would be OK to run 1 x 256MB and ! x 2GB. I double checked with him, as my understanding was that the RAM should be installed in 'symmetrical pairs". He was sure that I could run it as described, giving a total of 2.256 GB. Well, after I tried installing the RAM, the computer didn't recognise the 2GB, only as if I was running a single 256MB. I tried different slot combinations, but nothing gave the required desired result.

Do I need to go and by another 2GB of RAM for this configuration ugrade to work?

All suggestions very welcome

Thanks.

Magnus · 9th November 2007, 20:55

In situations like this, or rather before situations like this, I'd check the Mac model and the RAM configuration with something like Memory upgrades, flash media, and usb storage at Crucial.com. Just pick your model and it will show you what you need to know:

Quote:

Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.

Maximum Memory: 2048MB
USB Support: 2.x Compliant
Standard Memory: 512MB removable
Slots: 2 (2 banks of 1)

So there's the official specs. You may be able to put other types of configuration in there but it may or may not work.

mcdonald · 10th November 2007, 08:15

Thanks for the feedback, I looked at the Apple support site, and they say for late 2006 iMacs, that each slot will support up to 2GB. The restriction being, thatif 2 GB is put in, the computer will recognise 4GB, but only use 3GB. so the recommend a combination of 2 GB in one slot and 1 GB in the other.

ie:

quote

"iMac (Late 2006): Memory Specifications
This article outlines the memory specifications for the following products:

iMac (17-inch Late 2006)
iMac (20-inch Late 2006)
iMac (24-inch)
This article does NOT refer to the iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD), which is addressed in article 303085, "iMac (Early 2006), iMac (Mid 2006), iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD): Memory Specifications".

These iMac (Late 2006) computers have two SDRAM slots in the bottom of the computer, and comes with at least 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM installed into the top slot.

Although these iMacs will accept up to a 2 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two memory slots, the iMac will only support 3 GB total memory. If you want to maximize the amount of SDRAM in your computer, install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in one slot and a 1GB SO-DIMM in the other.

You can use Small-Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (SO-DIMMS) that meet all of these criteria:

PC2-5300
unbuffered
nonparity
200-pin
667 MHz
DDR2 SDRAM
You can use RAM module sizes of 512 MB, 1 GB or 2GB in the top or bottom slots.

DIMMs with any of the following features are not supported in the iMac (Late 2006) computers: registers or buffers, PLLs, ECC, parity, or EDO RAM.

Note: If you do install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in both the bottom and top memory slots of the computer, the About This Mac window and Apple System Profiler will both show that you have 4 GB of SDRAM installed. However, Activity Monitor and other similar applications will reveal that only 3 GB of SDRAM has been addressed for use by the computer."

So I hope by getting a 1GB card, the problem will be fixed.

Magnus · 10th November 2007, 08:36

Good luck, let us know how it goes

mcdonald · 12th November 2007, 12:44

Latest on the RAM upgrade, I removed both old 256bm cards, and replaced with the single 2gb. Works fine. According to Apple, I should be able to install a second 1gb card, to acheive max speed.

PS How do I find the 'free/used' memory for my hard drive? Can't find it in Apple-About this Mac?

Thanks

Magnus · 12th November 2007, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdonald

Latest on the RAM upgrade, I removed both old 256bm cards, and replaced with the single 2gb. Works fine. According to Apple, I should be able to install a second 1gb card, to acheive max speed.

PS How do I find the 'free/used' memory for my hard drive? Can't find it in Apple-About this Mac?

Thanks

Right-click (or Ctrl-Click) on the hard drive icon on the desktop (if you have it on your desktop, if not, in a Finder window), select Get Info.

mcdonald · 16th December 2007, 20:57

Well Magnus,your advice was spot on, thankyou. I have installed 2gb of Ram, in a single slot. Works perfectly.

Magnus · 16th December 2007, 21:09

Glad it worked for you

9th November 2007, 17:29	#1 (permalink)
mcdonald Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	RAM upgrade iMac Hi there, I was at Ibn-Battuta Mall Macstore today, asking about upgrading the RAM in my 17" 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac machine. It is currently running the factory supplied 2 x 256MB. The fellow at the shop said it would be OK to run 1 x 256MB and ! x 2GB. I double checked with him, as my understanding was that the RAM should be installed in 'symmetrical pairs". He was sure that I could run it as described, giving a total of 2.256 GB. Well, after I tried installing the RAM, the computer didn't recognise the 2GB, only as if I was running a single 256MB. I tried different slot combinations, but nothing gave the required desired result. Do I need to go and by another 2GB of RAM for this configuration ugrade to work? All suggestions very welcome Thanks.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10th November 2007, 08:15	#3 (permalink)
mcdonald Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Thanks for the feedback, I looked at the Apple support site, and they say for late 2006 iMacs, that each slot will support up to 2GB. The restriction being, thatif 2 GB is put in, the computer will recognise 4GB, but only use 3GB. so the recommend a combination of 2 GB in one slot and 1 GB in the other. ie: quote "iMac (Late 2006): Memory Specifications This article outlines the memory specifications for the following products: iMac (17-inch Late 2006) iMac (20-inch Late 2006) iMac (24-inch) This article does NOT refer to the iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD), which is addressed in article 303085, "iMac (Early 2006), iMac (Mid 2006), iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD): Memory Specifications". These iMac (Late 2006) computers have two SDRAM slots in the bottom of the computer, and comes with at least 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM installed into the top slot. Although these iMacs will accept up to a 2 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two memory slots, the iMac will only support 3 GB total memory. If you want to maximize the amount of SDRAM in your computer, install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in one slot and a 1GB SO-DIMM in the other. You can use Small-Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (SO-DIMMS) that meet all of these criteria: PC2-5300 unbuffered nonparity 200-pin 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM You can use RAM module sizes of 512 MB, 1 GB or 2GB in the top or bottom slots. DIMMs with any of the following features are not supported in the iMac (Late 2006) computers: registers or buffers, PLLs, ECC, parity, or EDO RAM. Note: If you do install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in both the bottom and top memory slots of the computer, the About This Mac window and Apple System Profiler will both show that you have 4 GB of SDRAM installed. However, Activity Monitor and other similar applications will reveal that only 3 GB of SDRAM has been addressed for use by the computer." So I hope by getting a 1GB card, the problem will be fixed.

10th November 2007, 08:36	#4 (permalink)
Magnus Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dubai Posts: 8,397	Good luck, let us know how it goes

12th November 2007, 12:44	#5 (permalink)
mcdonald Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Latest on the RAM upgrade, I removed both old 256bm cards, and replaced with the single 2gb. Works fine. According to Apple, I should be able to install a second 1gb card, to acheive max speed. PS How do I find the 'free/used' memory for my hard drive? Can't find it in Apple-About this Mac? Thanks

16th December 2007, 20:57	#7 (permalink)
mcdonald Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Well Magnus,your advice was spot on, thankyou. I have installed 2gb of Ram, in a single slot. Works perfectly.

16th December 2007, 21:09	#8 (permalink)
Magnus Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dubai Posts: 8,397	Glad it worked for you