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razza85 · #1 (**permalink**) 28th June 2009, 10:43 PM

I was browsing macfixit to see their prices on RAM for 2008 revision iMacs and noticed that they're selling 6.0GB RAM (2.0GB+4.0GB Module Set) Matched Set DDR2 SODIMM PC2-6400 800Mhz (@ $328 - too much for me lol). I was under the strong impression that the 2008 iMac's RAM can only be upgraded to a maximum of 4GB and not 6GB. So is it possible to upgrade the RAM an extra 2GB to 6GB, or is this a fault on the website's behalf?

Huy · #2 (**permalink**) 28th June 2009, 10:58 PM

2008 iMacs go up to 6GB DDR2 800MHz.

morgs · #3 (**permalink**) 29th June 2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huy

2008 iMacs go up to 6GB DDR2 800MHz.

How can I tell if I have one of these?

Also I thought that 1+1 & 2+2, 4+4, etc were better configurations for some technical reason???

~Coxy · #4 (**permalink**) 30th June 2009, 11:07 AM

Well 4+4 won't work on an older iMac anyway, but having two of the same RAM stick will "technically" increase speeds due to running in dual channel mode.

In practice this doesn't seem to make much of a difference, and will actually slow you down if you do run out of RAM.

morgs · #5 (**permalink**) 30th June 2009, 07:04 PM

So I already have 2+2. Would I see a performance increase if I upgraded to 2+4?

Again. How do I identify the compatibility of my iMac?

Thanks

RodB · #6 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgs

So I already have 2+2. Would I see a performance increase if I upgraded to 2+4?

Again. How do I identify the compatibility of my iMac?

Thanks

If you click the Apple Menu, About this Mac, then click on More Information, you should see the model identifier code, which will look something like iMac8,1 or similar.

If you can post this information, this will help.

~Coxy · #7 (**permalink**) 1st July 2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgs

So I already have 2+2. Would I see a performance increase if I upgraded to 2+4?

You will gain no benefit from the upgrade unless you are already running out of RAM and experiencing slowdowns due to it.

For example: huge Photoshop files with tonnes of layers, giant 3D models, libraries with thousands of RAW images, running multiple VMs at once.

For tooling around the internet, using office applications, running a single VM and light to medium use of Photoshop then 4GB is more than enough.

morgs · #8 (**permalink**) 4th July 2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Coxy

You will gain no benefit from the upgrade unless you are already running out of RAM and experiencing slowdowns due to it.

For example: huge Photoshop files with tonnes of layers, giant 3D models, libraries with thousands of RAW images, running multiple VMs at once.

For tooling around the internet, using office applications, running a single VM and light to medium use of Photoshop then 4GB is more than enough.

Thanks for that info. Very helpful.

morgs · #9 (**permalink**) 4th July 2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodB

If you click the Apple Menu, About this Mac, then click on More Information, you should see the model identifier code, which will look something like iMac8,1 or similar.

If you can post this information, this will help.

My model Identifier if iMac7,1

I probably wouldn't bother upgrading but it would be nice to know if I qualify?
Thanks

Analog6 · #10 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:00 AM

Go into About this Mac and it tells you exactly which type of RAM your machine takes. I have a 2008 iMac and it says 2GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM. I do plan to upgrade to 4, beacuse the book said that is all I can have. However, if I can have 6 . . .

I do a lot of photography and often want to open multiple RAW files in CS4 for cutting, slicing, layering etc.

A related question - I found RAM at iMac (Early 2008) - Epowermac which it says is fully MAc compatible for $59 per 2GB module. Anyone used 3rd party RAM? Does it stack up against Apple RAM. Apple RAm would be $360 for 4GB (quote yesterday from Apple Store Robina).

RodB · #11 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgs

My model Identifier if iMac7,1

I probably wouldn't bother upgrading but it would be nice to know if I qualify?
Thanks

This is the mid-2007 model, which has a maximum of 4GB.

RodB · #12 (**permalink**) 5th July 2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analog6

Go into About this Mac and it tells you exactly which type of RAM your machine takes. I have a 2008 iMac and it says 2GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM. I do plan to upgrade to 4, beacuse the book said that is all I can have. However, if I can have 6 . . .

4GB (2x2GB) is the maximum for that model.