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Model A1312 / Mid 2011 / 2.7 & 3.1 GHz Core i5 or 3.4 GHz Core i7 Processor, ID iMac12,2

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Max RAM for iMac mid 2011, 2,7 GHz Intel Core i5?

Hi,

I'll start of with the fact, yes, I'm a novice.

What is the maximum RAM for my iMac Intel 27" EMC 2429 mid 2011?

It has a 2,7 GHz Intel Core i5 prosessor.

Is there a limit for each slot? And how many slots is there?

I've checked the iFixit part list for my machine listed below:

  • PC3-10600 8 GB RAM Chip, Height: 1" (Low Profile), Type: 204 pin, DDR-3, 1333 MHz
  • PC3-10600 4 GB RAM Chip, Height: 1" (Low Profile), Type: 204 pin, DDR-3, 1333 MHz
  • PC3-10600 2 GB RAM Chip, Height: 1" (Low Profile), Type: 204 pin, DDR-3, 1333 MHz

Can someone please help me choose the correct ones to max my iMac?

Kind regards,

Mr. Novice

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Your system can support upto 32GB of RAM!

Frankly, 8GB is a good amount for most people and in some cases 16GB is often used for video image editing (large images/high meg) or CADCAM. Unless you are doing a lot of that kind of stuff I would stick with 8GB.

As to your system it has four Ram slots which can support any of the modules you have listed. I do recommend you use a matched pair of modules. Using two modules allows the system to use inter-leaf which will give you a bit more performance.

You can use 4 - 2GB modules (8GB), 2 - 4GB modules (still 8GB). and you can even use a single 8GB module as well (allowing room to grow).

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Thank you for your reply.

But, I noticed this just now when I was about to go for 8GB;

Please Note: Both the Mid 2010 27" iMacs (EMC 2390) with the Core i3 and the Mid 2011 27" iMacs (EMC 2429) with the Core i5 can only accept up to 4 of the 4 GB chips. These will not work in your machine.

This meaning I can get a maximum of 4x4GBs for my iMac?

It's also listed further down that 8GB is; compatibility with All Mid 2011 27" iMacs???

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What can be confusing here is what Apple tested their systems with (at the time the system was designed) and what the system was architected to support. In this case Apple didn't test the larger 8GB modules as they just weren't common enough at the time ('09~'10). Today they are and others have tested the systems verifying there is no problems. Here's EveryMac description: "Officially, this model supports four 4 GB modules -- one in each slot for a maximum of 16 GB of memory. However, third-parties have discovered that it actually will support 32 GB of memory using four 8 GB modules." Hopefully that explains things.

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Just wondering if it matters HOW the RAM is arranged? For example:

Can it be:

a) x2 4gig chips paired with x2 8 gig chips= 24gigs?

Do the paired RAM always have to be the same number of gigs or can they be different?

Thanks!

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Matt - Sure! That works! You can mix sizes but a Bank really needs to be the same sized modules.

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Hi all,

I have just installed El Captain on a iMac 27" EMC2429 and in system RAM it says 4 slots to 4GB max. So it is strange that even today with the most updated Mac OS Apple is still saying max upgrade is 4x4GB and not 4x8GB. Today 8GB memory module is easy to find. Have anybody tried the 8GB memory on this model?

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Here is the specs for your system from EveryMac: iMac 27" 2.7 GHz i5" (Mid-2011). Review the memory section.

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Eirik will be eternally grateful.
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