Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac

1. Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Pro
2. Memory Slot Meaning
3. Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac 21.5
4. Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Computers
5. Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Air

While you can use mixed modules (size wise) I don't recommend using the same size from two different specs. Here is a good reference while it is on the older G5 series iMac it still applies today! Benefit of using matching memory modules (RAM). Remember your system has a 64/128-bit memory bus. The 27-inch iMac has four memory slots and comes with at least 8 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 memory installed as two or more memory modules. You can install additional memory in the free slots or replace the memory in the filled slots with 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB memory modules, for up to 128 GB of memory. Apple has guidelines for the maximum amount of RAM each iMac model supports, but upgrade specialists say the devices are capable of supporting more. While earlier versions of the iMac (17-inch or 20-inch models from 2006) have two memory slots, starting with 2007 models Apple decided to implement four slots instead. While you can use mixed modules (size wise) I don't recommend using the same size from two different specs. Here is a good reference while it is on the older G5 series iMac it still applies today! Benefit of using matching memory modules (RAM). Remember your system has a 64/128-bit memory bus.

How much do RAM do you need for video editing? 16GB, 32GB or 64GB? Does your computer freeze up when previewing video? You face the problem of video editor crash while working? If yes, I’ll try to help you and recommend the best RAM for video editing and tell you what to pay attention to when increasing the RAM.

How Much RAM Is Needed for Video Editing?

RAM is the main temporary storage area of the entire computing system. RAM is faster than a hard disk, so the goal of video editing is to save as much information as possible in RAM. Although 8 GB of RAM sounds like enough, one-quarter of this is used by the operating system, leaving only 6 GB for you video editor.

It is possible to rank the RAM by capacity if considering several variants of video editing. The list starts with the smallest, taking into account the capabilities and formats of the video, clearly showing how much RAM is needed for video editing.

• Read more about the best video editing softwares.

8GB – will suit you if you are editing 720p files. 4K editing is impossible or it will be unbearable. You may have to close other apps.

16 GB – will be enough if you are editing 1080p commercials with almost no effects or want to edit 4K files. You will have problems with background tasks. Is 16GB RAM enough for 4K editing? It depends on the complexity of video montage you do.

32 GB – will allow editing all kinds of files, including 4K, working with long videos (full-length movies) or creating many visual effects. This is the optimal capacity of RAM needed for video editing.

64 GB – an impressive amount of RAM. It is a must for those who plan to edit 8K files or work with advanced moving graphics in Adobe After Effects in combination with 3D modeling and animation in Cinema 4D. These files will not work on computers with 8-16 GB, and they will be slowed down in the case of 32 GB.

Considering the capabilities of 16GB vs 32GB RAM video editing, I can state that 16GB RAM is the minimum for video, and 32GB RAM is ideal.

• Read more about the best computer for video editing.

What to Know Before Buying RAM?

Do you know that after installing RAM, it simply may not give you the necessary speed? Moreover, you may not have the place to install it. That’s why you must take a few points into consideration.

Available Free Slots

Make sure that your computer has free memory slots and determine their number before thinking about the best RAM for video editing. A perfect way to check the max allowable amount of RAM and its type is documentation of the computer or motherboard.

You can also find information on the manufacturers’ website. If you have Windows 10, you can do this by running Task Manager. Another option is to use a software utility or an online service, for example, CPU-Z. It is a free utility that can scan your computer and inform you about the installed memory and available slots.

For example, there are 2 RAM slots on your laptop, the chipset supports a maximum amount of 16 GB. Thus, the best option for this model is purchasing two identical modules of 8 GB.

Overall, you will benefit from the principle of dual-channel memory architecture (which is preferable, because the memory works with doubled bandwidth), that requires two modules of the same size and speed in two slots.

• Read more about the best monitor for video editing.

Decide on RAM Speed

The 'speed' of the memory or its clock speed indicates how many times per second the memory can read or change its data. This speed is measured in MHz and greatly affects the overall performance of your processor.

The minimum clock speed for DDR4 starts at 2133 MHz and without a certain maximum value, as these modules can also be overclocked. This increase also leads to an overall boost in their bandwidth – a complex indicator of RAM capacity. It takes into account the data transfer frequency, bus width and a number of memory channels.

The computer will work quickly if the RAM and the processor bus bandwidth are equal. Otherwise, the system will use a lower indicator. Also, if you install modules from different manufacturers on your computer, there may be a slight error in speed. Therefore, a lower indicator will be used, and you will not get a potential advantage. It will be great if you purchase and install RAM from one kit.

What Is the Best RAM for Video Editing?

To save your time, I prepared a short list of RAM for video editing modules. They are used by video editors for building video workstations.

1. Corsair Vengeance LPX (8GB x 2) 16GB

This 16 GB kit is positioned as one of the best RAM for gaming. You can increase your RAM load with an aluminum radiator. This RAM fully supports XMP 2.0 to facilitate overclocking. The small form factor makes this RAM ideal for mini and micro ATX motherboards and not large bodies. Address Fixthephoto company for specialized and inexpensive video editing services.

2. Crucial Ballistix Sport LT (16GB x 2) 32GB

Use intense After Effects or Fusion effects with the Ballistix 32 GB kit. This fast RAM is designed to improve performance and is already optimized for the popular X99 platform. It is ideal for simultaneous work of more than one video editing program. This RAM for video editing is faster than standard DDR4 memory. The kit is made for a very easy installation. Therefore, you do not need to worry about the BIOS configuration settings after installation.

3. Kingston HyperX Impact for Mac 16GB (2 x 8G)

Do you know that Apple charges lots of money for RAM upgrades? However, you can save some cash if you use a third-party kit.

This RAM is available in several frequencies, which give you an opportunity to use it for a variety of Macs. All in all, it is the best RAM for video editing that will help speed up your laptop. Take it into consideration if you are eager to make use of some advanced features.

• Read more about the best budget monitors.

Why Do You Need to Increase RAM?

Increasing RAM is one of the most popular ways to upgrade a computer quickly. However, are you sure that buying additional RAM will change what you need? Maybe it isn’t the problem at all? I suggest to find out what affects RAM.

Rendering Speed

RAM does not greatly affect the rendering speed or visualization with drawing. CPU and GPU are responsible for this task. However, if your computer has 8 GB and you increase it to 16 GB, you may notice a difference in rendering speed.

PC will be able to allocate more resources in RAM, allowing your CPU and GPU to have more resources as well. Remember that having a good video card, processor and SSD is even more important than buying additional RAM. However, its increase can really upgrade the existing configuration.

If you are dealing with a lot of moving graphics, more RAM will help you work faster and more efficiently. Programs like Adobe After Effects require a significant amount of RAM, especially when using effects that are heavy for drawing, such as particles. Unlike video, in dynamic animation, graphics can become very complex. As a result, your computer will work slower.

• Read more about how to get Adobe After Effects for free.

Work with Large Files

If you are editing 4K video or RAW 42-megapixel photos, storage space and RAM are paramount. One RAW image file can take up 100 MB, and 4K video files can be multi-gigabyte. Your computer will process such files slowly without enough RAM. If you need to do it fast but your computer lags, you may refer to wedding video editing services.

Preview

The main use of RAM in video editing software, in addition to running the program, is caching preview files. Caching means pre-processing or calculating effects and layers for a preview visualization. This usually happens automatically as soon as you play or view the timeline.

Now a 720p preview takes up significantly less RAM than 4K video. There are quite complex compression algorithms that allow video editing programs to use compressed data, but the difference is still huge. High-resolution footage requires more RAM.

Best Motherboard for Video Editing?

Now some of the 9th-gen Intel motherboards can use up to 128 GB of RAM (i.e. 4x32 GB DDR4 DIMM). So, buying memory with these capabilities will be a good decision.

Gigabyte Z390 UD

Consider the Gigabyte Z390 UD (Ultra Durable) if your budget is too tight. This ATX motherboard has 4 slots for RAM DDR4, software-controlled case fans, a 1 x PCIe M.2 (Key M) slot and 8 and 4-pin 12V ATX power inputs.

Moreover, it features six USB 3.0 Type-A ports, an HDMI video output and two PS/2 ports for a mouse and a keyboard.

ASRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4

Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Pro

Нou have a wider range to select from if your budget isn’t limited. The ASRock X399 will be a great choice in this case. You won’t find too many motherboards created especially for the Ryzen Threadripper processors.

This processor is one of the best. However, you will enjoy the video editing even more with ASRock X399. This tandem works perfectly if you need to do several tasks at the same time. The motherboard can support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory and includes 4-way SLI or Crossfire configurations.

Z390 Aorus Pro WIFI

Z390 Aorus Pro WIFI is considered to be one of the best models on the market with ATX form factor. Its price is quite reasonable for such a set of great features which are able to improve your video editing. Intel product has reinforced PCIe slots and RGB lighting. It manages only 8th and 9th-gen LGA 1151 socket with 4 DIMM sockets of up to 64GB capacity.

Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more

You might have heard plenty of times that it’s better to buy a Mac with the maximum amount of RAM (random access memory). Why? The answer is very easy: there is no such thing as too much system memory. Just consider the fact that the more RAM your iMac has installed, the more windows and/or tabs it can have open at one time without slowing down. Also, with physical memory available, macOS won’t need to resort to using virtual memory, which ultimately slows things down.

Memory Slot Meaning

iMac RAM upgrades are easy for most models, and it’s a good idea to do it yourself, for two reasons: firstly you’ll get to know your iMac better, and secondly it’s possible to save a few hundred bucks rather than having Apple do the expensive upgrade. There are a few situations, though, where you might need to contact Apple or an Apple authorized service provider to install the RAM. Memory isn't removable by users on 21.5 inch iMacs from late 2012, late 2013, mid 2014 and 2017. Nor is it possible to manually remove the RAM on a 21.5 Retina display from 2017, either. In these cases, sadly you will need to pay higher prices to get the upgrade you want.

How to Upgrade iMac RAM

Upgrading your iMac with more RAM is super-easy and requires only a few steps. The first and most obvious task is to identify your iMac to know which memory it is that you will need to purchase. The price of the memory module will differ based on the iMac model you own.

Download CleanMyMac X from MacPaw’s website and clean up to 500MB of junk data from your computer while enjoying all the features of the software without major limitations.

Apple has guidelines for the maximum amount of RAM each iMac model supports, but upgrade specialists say the devices are capable of supporting more.

While earlier versions of the iMac (17-inch or 20-inch models from 2006) have two memory slots, starting with 2007 models Apple decided to implement four slots instead. However, we highly recommend checking the type of RAM you need to buy, otherwise the iMac won’t recognize it.

Here’s a guideline for the type of RAM you should be looking to buy, depending on your model of iMac:

• Mid 2007 models use 200-pin 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
• Early 2008 models use 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
• Early 2009 models use 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM.

It’s worth noting that memory specifications change dependent on the iMac model, and so models after this can include additional sizes of memory. As such:

• Late 2009 iMacs can equip 2GB or 4GB SO-DIMM, DDR3, or SDRAM formats of RAM, running at 1066 MHz in each slot.
• Mid 2010 and mid 2011 iMacs can also use 2GB or 4GB SO-DIMM, DDR3, or SDRAM formats, with a maximum of 1333 MHz in each slot.

Meanwhile, 27-inch models manufactured between late 2012 and mid 2015 with the option to upgrade the RAM each come with a base memory of 8GB, and support a maximum of 32GB. The earlier 27-inch and 21.5-inch models released between late 2009 and mid 2011 support only 16GB of RAM, according to Apple.

Once you’ve figured out which memory types are compatible with your iMac, installing the RAM is easy. It only requires a few minutes, but there is still a slight difference between some models since Apple migrated from one design to another. Essentially the one thing you’ll need for all models is a soft, clean towel or cloth that you’ll place on the desk or other flat surface to protect the display from getting scratched.

The installation of the memory is pretty straightforward: first, you need to locate the memory compartment. On models released between 2006 and 2011 this is located at the bottom. The memory access door is secured by three screws on these earlier models.

On newer models released after 2012, this compartment is located on the back of the iMac above the AC power port. Apple made access easier, and the memory compartment opens with a button. A full step-by-step guide on how to install iMac RAM on various models is available on Apple’s support page.

One last thing that you should be careful with when upgrading your iMac’s memory is the compatibility between each of the individual components. Computer operating systems handle memory in very specific ways, so after finding the right type of RAM for your iMac with the guidelines above you should then try to ensure that you upgrade your system with matching memory.

Why Not Apple RAM

It’s good to have the maximum amount of RAM in your iMac at the moment of purchase, since this is a good way to expand its lifespan. But if you didn’t opt for the maximum RAM, then that’s no problem because you can upgrade it at anytime. And you won’t break the bank, either. In fact, this is the main reason why we don't recommend maxing out RAM at the moment of purchase of an iMac with upgradeable memory. For example, the mid 2017 21.5-inch 4K iMac comes with 8GB of RAM. But if you want to upgrade to 16GB it will cost you an additional $200, while 32GB of 2400MHz DDR4 RAM (the maximum supported) adds another $600. By comparison, a similar non-Apple 32GB DDR4 2400MHz kit costs $250 on Amazon.

In other words, while a factory upgrade is nice as you won’t have to worry about performance for the next ten years or so, it does come at a cost. Opting for a third party RAM upgrade will save a significant amount of cash, and considering how easy upgrading is this is definitely something worth doing.

Best RAM Brands for iMac

With so much choice available when it comes to system memory, it can be a challenge just to pick the one that is right for you. As such, we’ve picked three brands that we think you should consider when looking to upgrade your iMac’s memory.

Crucial

U.S. company Micron Technology can be found among the top ten companies for memory manufacturers; it produces affordable memory modules through its Crucial subsidiary. The company has products in computer memory, internal SSD and internal HDD categories on the Amazon store. If you are eyeing an iMac RAM upgrade, Crucial’s products should be on your list since its memory upgrade kits are well priced. For example, a Crucial 32GB Kit (16GB × 2) DDR4 SODIMM 260-Pin Memory costs $239.99 compared to Apple’s $600. Crucial has modules for earlier versions, as well, and maxing out RAM in an iMac released between 2012 and 2015 would cost you roughly $200 if you opt for four 8GB modules ($103/2 × 8GB).

OWC

Other World Computing’s (OWC) “MaxRAM” Certification Program is often cited by Mac blogs. It’s software that determines the maximum amount of memory supported by any Mac. As a retailer deeply connected with Apple’s platform, the U.S. computer hardware company OWC sells memory modules through its online store, MacSales. Here, besides getting a good quality RAM module, it is possible to find out how much RAM your iMac actually supports based on OWC’s testing results and then go on to purchase the modules. For example, Apple suggests the mid 2010 iMac supports only 16GB of RAM, but OWC has discovered that the actual maximum is 32GB. That means even greater performance for a long time.

Timetec

Timetec, another U.S. memory manufacturer, was founded in 2013 and seeks to provide memory modules to compete with established players such as Kingston, Corsair, Crucial and OWC. Although the Timetec name may not sound familiar to many, the Hynix name does, and Timetec uses integrated circuits from this renowned IC manufacturer. Timetec tries to position itself as a budget-friendly option, and just a quick glance at its products on offer would confirm that to you: while Crucial’s two 8GB RAM kit for a late 2012 iMac costs $103, the same package sold by Timetec comes in at $85.99.

Video Guide and Instructions

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how much is a video worth? But would you prefer written guidance or a step-by-step video on how to install memory into your iMac? OWC’s online store, MacSales.com, is the best option for easy-to-follow video guides. Here you’ll find detailed videos on how to install memory and SSDs into your iMac and various other Mac products. These video guides deliver just the right amount of information that you won’t find on Apple’s iMac RAM upgrade support page.

Of course, if you have already done a few RAM upgrades then the steps should be familiar, but those upgrading their iMac’s for the first-time should definitely watch the tutorial videos to get an overview of the complete process from beginning to end.

FAQ

Should I Upgrade My iMac’s RAM?

The short answer: yes, definitely. When it comes to performance, any computer’s limits – even the iMac’s – are outlined by its technical specifications. The more RAM you have, the better the computer performs in the long term. To understand the reasons for a RAM upgrade, you should know about its role: random access memory is where macOS, apps and data currently in use by the system are stored. This enables quick access to that data by the computer's processor. The advantage of RAM is that it is much faster to read/write from/to than other storage type in your Mac. But when your Mac reaches the physical limits of its RAM storage, it turns to the system’s virtual memory, which is much slower since it utilizes the startup disk. If this happens then you’ll certainly notice your Mac running slow.

Does Upgrading My iMac’s RAM Void Warranty?

Performance slowdown is a very good sign that your iMac deserves a RAM upgrade. If you have AppleCare+ or the one-year limited warranty is still valid, then know that upgrading memory doesn’t void warranty. Unfortunately, this claim is only valid for iMac models that allow the user to replace the memory. If you opted for – as an example – a 21.5-inch iMac (late 2013 model) then sadly the only warranty-acceptable option for RAM upgrades is via Apple-authorized services or Apple itself. But upgrading RAM on the 27-inch model from the same year, for instance, can still be performed manually at home without ruining your warranty. As such, before jumping on the RAM upgrade hype-train, be sure to always check Apple’s support page to identify what is possible for your iMac.

How Much Memory Does My iMac Need?

Every iMac comes with a minimum amount of memory that it needs for even basic performance. But that’s mainly optimized for the operating system released in the year of that particular iMac’s launch, and as technology and operating systems advance the physical limits of the installed memory modules are reached more quickly. Although Apple has done a great job of optimizing macOS for earlier Mac models, there are still going to be more issues with their limited hardware resources as the machine gets older.

Also, while Apple suggests a maximum amount of supported RAM on every iMac model it releases, as OWC’s tests have shown these machines are capable of recognizing up to twice as much as Apple’s guidelines. The more memory your iMac has, the better the computer’s performance and longer its lifespan.

Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac 21.5

Optimizing RAM Usage

Still, having the maximum amount of RAM under the hood doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay attention to the remaining details for optimal performance. If this means a change in usage habits, then consider it well worth the investment.

macOS has a very good memory management tool called Activity Monitor, which allows knowledgeable users to keep an eye on resource-demanding applications. But if you want a similar experience that is packed into a more convenient and visually appealing user interface, third party Mac optimization apps can help to manage memory usage.

Best Mac Optimization Software of 2020

Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Computers

Along with providing great cleaning tools – such as removing all the junk files the system and apps build up – Mac optimization apps such as CleanMyMac, MacBooster, MacKeeper and the like provide easy access to memory management tools. Users can discover at a glance whether the memory is at its peak capacity and optimize its usage with a single click.

Apple is eager to highlight the care every product receives during the manufacturing process, iMac included. So as soon as it arrives to your office or home, its lifecycle depends entirely on your care. Give it your best by upgrading RAM and maintaining it using cleaning apps, and these computers will serve you for many years.

Best Mac Optimization Software of 2020

Does It Matter Which Memory Slot I Use Imac Air

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