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Model A1311 / Mid 2011 / 2.5 & 2.7 GHz Core i5 or 2.8 GHz Core i7 Processor

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Ram upgrade from 4GB to 8GB

Hello,

I own an iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2428 with 4GB ram and would like to upgrade it to a total of 8GB.

Is there one 2GB ram card in each slot of my iMac that make up the 4GB, or just one 4GB card? I'd like to purchase a 4GB card from you, but want to make sure that will get me to a total of 8GB.

Thank you,

Joy

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Your system has four RAM slots. Presently you have two 2 GB memory modules (4GB) leaving 2 slots free.

So you can add in two more 2GB modules or two 4GB modules giving you 8 or 12GB total RAM.

You'll need: PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin) 1333 MHz (or faster) modules.

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Hi. I don't if it is permitted to ask something here, I'm sorry. I have an iMac mid 2011 2.7 21.5 inch. Can I add 8GB RAM modules? It's supposed to allow a maximum of 16gb, but I've read that it could allow up to 32 GB. Is it true? Thanks

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Yes, you can put in 8 GB modules maxing out the system at 32 GB. But before you load it up that far make sure the OS you are using is the latest and the apps you are using can leverage it. Even then you may want to first go to 16 GB using two modules to make sure what you are working on really needs this much. Second, while RAM is important, your HD (SSD) storage needs to be evaluated at the same time.

Remember its the matching of all of the components that makes a fast race car! Having a big engine that burns fuel faster means you need to turn into the pit stop more often to get refueled. So you need a bigger fuel tank. But the weight of the added fuel requires better shocks & tires and maybe even more framing. I hope you see were I'm going here. Its the whole system that needs to be balanced. Over doing one piece often won't help.

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Thanks for your answer, Dan. So, the next step you recommend is to replace the HD by a SSD, am I right? What else would you recommend? I use heavy orchestral sample libraries for both composing music and scoring for film, that's why upgrading RAM was the first thing that came to my mind. Thanks again for your great answer and help.

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Your in luck as this system has the ability to add in a second storage drive. Here's the IFIXIT guide: Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2428 Dual Hard Drive Kit.

So in your case you would use the HD as your bulk storage and use the new SSD as your boot, app & work area. You'll likely want as large a SSD as you can afford here as the composition(s) you are working on will need to fit on the SSD in addition to the other samplings you are working from.

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Another way you could do this is to swap out the HD for a SSD and then get an external Thunderbolt RAID drive to hold your bulk storage. Here is the IFIXIT guide to do this: iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2428 Hard Drive Replacement you'll also need an external thermal sensor OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor & frame OWC 2.5" to 3.5" Drive Adapter Bracket. While less work you are then dependent on an external drive for your bulk stuff like this one: OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual which you can add-in your own drives or this one: OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual with drives.

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Joy Johnson crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
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