Fix Your Stuff Community Store

A2115 / 2020 / Processors from 3.1 GHz 6-core i5, up to 3.8 GHz 8-core i7. Released August 4, 2020.

44 Questions View all

Options

Will it boot with only one 8G stick of ram?

Will this iMac boot with only one stick, or does it REQUIRE a pair? Also, does it/they have to be installed in any particular slot? This iMac won't turn on at all. I got it with NO ram at all because the previous owner used it all in his new iMac.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

If we review this Apple T/N Install memory in an iMac

We’ll find this statement “If you have mixed capacity DIMMs, see the install memory section for installation recommendations.” And we jump down to that section: “iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) DIMMs have a notch on the bottom, slightly left of the middle. If your DIMMs are mixed in capacity, minimize the capacity difference between Channel A (slots 1 and 2) and Channel B (slots 3 and 4) when possible.”

So you really can’t mix within the channel only across channels. So you’ll need to install your different RAM sizes in Slot 1 and Slot 3. Don’t forget to allow the system to initialize which can take awhile!

Given the cost and the performance benefit I would just go with a matched pair within each channel pair.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

7 Comments:

Hi Dan. Thanks for the response. I will edit my question to be more specific.

This iMac won't turn on at all. No fan, no display, nothing. I got it with NO ram at all because the previous owner used it all in his new iMac. Can this particular iMac boot with only one stick, or does it REQUIRE a pair?

by

@rippegari - What is the size of the SO-DIMM's you are trying to use?

by

@rippegari - Well... you didn't really answer the question.

So being a single SO-DIMM I'm guessing its the 8 GB unit. Put it into Slot 1, turn your system on and go get a cup of coffee and some breakfast. When you get back your system should be booted up (it does take a good amount of time for it to initialize)

But if the RAM was pulled is the drive still present or just wiped? You maybe greeted with a blinking question mark in a folder.

Frankly, I always install two SO-DIMM's.

by

Apologies! Yes, it is one 8GB unit. I'll give it another go. Thanks,

by

Show 2 more comments

Add a comment

Add your answer

James will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 6

All Time: 483