
- Mac memory for a late 2013 imac how to#
- Mac memory for a late 2013 imac install#
- Mac memory for a late 2013 imac upgrade#
- Mac memory for a late 2013 imac mac#
Holding the sides, lay the computer slowly face down on the towel.Ĥ. Place a soft, clean towel on a flat surface to prevent scratching the screen.ģ. Disconnect the power cord and any other cables connected to your iMac.Ģ. Once you have your RAM and are ready to install, shut down your iMac and give it time to cool off.ġ. The installation process is straightforward. That said, it's not entirely clear how much of a performance hit your computer would take if you just installed a single stick of RAM. Intel supports dual-channel architecture, which is optimized for memory in pairs. It's not so much about cost savings, as it is a performance consideration. For example, add two modules of 8GB of RAM instead of a single module of 16GB of RAM. Adding 16GB of RAM will cost you around $80. One advantage of upgrading RAM on an older iMac is that it's relatively affordable. But the choice really comes down to how old your computer is and how you use it. Instead, I opted to remove those two sticks of 4GB RAM that came with my iMac and put in four sticks of 8GB RAM for a total of 32GB, the maximum supported on my iMac. That would bring my iMac from 8GB of RAM to a total of 24GB. I could just buy two 8GB modules of (16GB total) and add them to the two empty slots. The computer has four slots, with two of them filled. For example, my 2013 iMac came with 8GB of RAM (two sticks of 4GB). Probably the biggest choice you'll have to make is how much to add. Also for this article, Crucial provided us with the RAM.īoth sites can help you find the correct type of RAM for your machine. RAM prices are competitive between the two sites but can fluctuate. There are many vendors, but I highly recommend OWC and Crucial. Now that you're armed with more knowledge about your computer, you need to find a place to buy RAM. Most iMacs from the past eight years can handle 32GB of RAM, and some can go as high as 128GB. To find out the maximum amount of RAM your iMac can handle, check out this Apple Support page. Go to the line that has the model identifier.
Mac memory for a late 2013 imac mac#
To find the model number, go back to the main About This Mac tab and click the System Report button. Depending on which version of MacOS your computer is running, there may be a Memory tab you can click to view how much RAM you have and how many slots it's occupying. Also, look at the memory line to see how much RAM your computer already has.ĥ. For example, mine is: iMac (27-inch, late 2013).Ĥ. Look for either the year your computer came out or the model number.
Mac memory for a late 2013 imac install#
Identify your iMac model and max amount of RAMīefore you can install new RAM, you need to determine what kind of iMac you have. Instead, you have to take apart most of the iMac to add more.

Unfortunately, if you have a 21.5-inch model made after 2011 or an iMac Pro, there isn't a way to easily access RAM. If you have a pre-2011 27-inch or a 21.5-inch iMac, there's an access panel in the bottom grille of the computer. Since late 2012, 27-inch models have a door behind the stand that gives you easy access so you can add more RAM.

IMacs come in two sizes - 27-inch and 21.5-inch models. If you decide to go with the 21.5-inch iMac, I highly suggest configuring it with the most RAM you can afford when you purchase it.27-inch iMac vs.

Of course, doing so will void your warranty, so it may not necessarily be worth the risk.
Mac memory for a late 2013 imac upgrade#
These days, if you want to attempt a DIY RAM upgrade on the 21.5-inch iMac, you'd need a lot of experience and a special upgrade kit, something like the ones iFixit sells. RAM was relocated under the logic board, so it was no longer accessible without taking apart the entire iMac. The 21.5-inch iMac is still off-limitsīack in 2012, Apple shut off aftermarket RAM upgrades for the 21.5-inch iMac. Each time, I postpone a RAM upgrade until I need it, which gives me time to save up a little extra cash and keeps me from spending money unnecessarily. I've done this with two 27-inch iMac computers. You're good to start with the lowest RAM and upgrade later when you're ready. You may want a different supported brand of RAM than what Apple puts in the iMac by default. You may not need more than 8GB of RAM to start but will want to upgrade to more a year from now.
Mac memory for a late 2013 imac how to#
We also have a guide that shows you how to replace the RAM in your 27-inch iMac.Īpple-installed RAM can come with a hefty price tag. That means you can buy additional RAM any time you want, long after you've bought your new iMac, and install it yourself. The 27-inch iMac, on the other hand, is the only iMac that allows for aftermarket upgrades to RAM. The 21.5-inch does not allow for post-purchase upgrades without invalidating your warranty. One of the biggest deciding factors for some people have in figuring out whether to buy the 21-inch iMac or the 27-inch iMac is aftermarket upgradable RAM.

The 27-inch iMac still has a backdoor for RAM
