iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 RAM Replacement

Written By: Walter Galan
  • Comments: 19
iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 RAM Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

3

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

Upgrade your RAM for an instant increase in speed.

EMC 2133 models use PC2-5300 RAM and EMC 2210 models use PC2-6400 RAM. The maximum RAM for both models is 6 GB.

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    • Loosen the single Phillips screw in the center of the access door.

    • This screw is captive in the access door.

    • Remove the access door from your iMac.

    isn't it actually pc2-5300s ?

    grze -

    It is for the 2133, the 2210 uses 6400

    maccentric -

    There are comments elsewhere in this step by step re. the bezel removal. That step does NOT show how to remove it. Well, take the 5:39 secs to watch the above video. It clearly shows how the aluminum framed bezel easily comes off once you've seen it done. To whoever decided to preface these instructions with that video, thank you.

    ECJohansen -

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    • Use the tip of a spudger to pull the black plastic RAM tabs out of the memory bay.

    • Pull the black plastic RAM tab away from your iMac to eject the RAM chip.

    The black plastic RAM tabs are strips of plastic, which loop around the concealed RAM release lever.

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    As the 20” Macs tend to get quite hot, I found the glue on one of the tabs had come loose, causing the loop to separate. I discovered this on an empty slot when doing the 2x2GB SO-DIMM upgrade - the RAM not seating properly is a bit of a giveaway, and a quick inspection with a flashlight can confirm.

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    If this happens, don’t panic!

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    BEFORE YOU INSERT THE RAM - grab your spudger, and press the tacky parts of the plastic strip back together. There should be sufficient glue to give a solid bond.

    chamaelion -

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    • Grab the RAM chip by its edges and pull it straight out of its slot.

    • If two RAM chips are installed, repeat this process for the other chip.

    I don't know if this matters, but if you are doing the 6 GB upgrade on the A2210, I put the 2 GB chip in the left slot and the 4 GB chip in the right slot (with the computer on its back and the monitor facing up and the memory compartment facing you).

    wcwirla -

    Thsnk you for this tip.

    Was it necessary to remove the stickers that are attached to the RAM BEFORE installing?

    Rebecca Geiger -

    I had install an 2gb samsund ddr2 pc2 6400s to add in the empty slot.. But it beeps 3 times.. While the other slot tested the ram and working

    BrandzChannel -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Walter Galan

694047 Reputation

12 comments

I currently have a 4GB memory module installed on an EMC 2210 in one of the memory slots. Can I still install the original 1GB ram in the other slot making it 5GB total memory?

richt0812 -

[|It depends on the model. Check here:] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191

Alex Nos -

I installed 2GB x2 to mine to upgrade from 1GB x2. It took just minutes and I used a regular philips screw driver I found around home. Pull hard on the black straps to get the memory out. It is working great with no problems. Good luck!

1tom2go -

Thank you for the guide. I had 2GB. I took out 1 module to add a 4GB module. So easy and now my 2133 iMac is jaw dropping fast.

Garison

garison -

Hi Garison,

.

I hope you can answer my question. I have an iMac, medio 2007, Intel 20" EMC 2133.

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RAM: (1GB + 1GB) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

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I would like to make my iMac "jaw dropping fast" as well ;-)

.

Is it PC 5300 or PC 6400 I should buy?

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And what setup wold you recommend? (1GB + 2GB), (1GB + 4GB), (2GB + 2GB) or (2GB + 4GB)?

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Thanks,

Mikkel

mipedersen -

The maximum memory for an iMac 20" - Early 2009 (ECM 2133) is 8Go (2*4Go) and not 6Go as said in the tutorial.

See Apple support page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191

Moi -

This tutorial is not for the 2009. Model A1224 / Mid 2007 and Early 2008 / 2, 2.4, or 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

Ricardo -

Hi there, Apple says maximum ram for 2210 model (20" Early 2008) is 4GB (2 modules x 2gb). This tutorial above says 6gb! Who is right? Anyone manage to install 6gb? Thanks

james -

Yes, search for the EMC number (2210) on everymac dot com, and you can see its site verifies that 6gb is compatible.

at0gjm -

With the screen facing up (iMac lying on its back), put the 4GB module in the leftmost slot and the 2GB slot in the rightmost slot. If you’re doing the memory upgrade with the screen facing down, then invert (4GB right, 2GB left).

You should actually push the old memory module in until you hear a click, then you can retrieve it by pulling the plastic tab. Otherwise you’ll have to pull hard to get the memory module out.

Olivier Biot -

Perhaps it doesn’t matter which RAM chip you put in which slot. Mine already had the 4GB chip in the left slot (with the screen facing down), so I put the new 2GB chip in the right slot. System Profiler is reading 6GB - 2GB in Bank 0 and 4GB in Bank 1.

Christo66 -

This was so easy! Got overly neverous about it, but it’s simple 2 steps! Now my Mac runs smoother with 2x 2Gb. May upgrade to 1x2gb & 1x4gb

Virgil Baeza -