iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display RAM Replacement

Written By: Sam Goldheart
  • Comments: 41
iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display RAM Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

4

Time Required

1 - 5 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to remove, replace or upgrade the RAM in your iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display.

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    • While holding the display steady, use the flat end of a spudger to press in on the RAM door release button, located just above the power port.

    • You may have to press fairly hard—keep at it until the bottom of the door pops out about 0.25" from the rear of the iMac.

    Buenos días!!!

    Cómo le hago si mi iMac no tiene puertita!!! Se tiene que despegar la Pantalla???

    alterego69 -

    Hello! The procedure depends on the iMac's model. Find the exact iMac for the proper guide.

    ¡Hola! El procedimiento depende del modelo de iMac. Encuentra el iMac exacto para la guía adecuada.

    Arthur Shi -

    No hay que despegar la pantalla para este tipo de reparación. Si no encuentras el compartimento entonces puede que estes mirando al imac equivocado o quizas un monitor.

    overdas -

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    • Pull the RAM access door off the back of the iMac.

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    • The RAM tray is locked into its upright position with two grey tabs.

    • Use your thumbs or index fingers to unlock the tray by pushing the tabs outward, away from the RAM.

    • Pull the tabs out and down, swinging the RAM tray down to a near-horizontal position.

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    • Remove a stick of RAM by grabbing it with two hands and pulling straight out of the RAM tray.

    • RAM modules are keyed so that they can only be installed in the proper orientation. Note where the shorter section of contacts is when removing, and reinstalling, your RAM.

    • To install a new module, insert the module into the desired slot in the tray and press it firmly in place. Push the tray back up until it locks in place.

    • The RAM access door is not symmetrical. If it is not flush on both ends, try putting it in the other way.

    • Re-insert the RAM access door back into its place.

    "Note that the shorter section of contacts should be on the left when installing new modules."

    Mine is flipped so the shorter section of the RAM module is on the right.

    calebx -

    Mine is flipped too… not a mistake, is it?

    Kristi Mathias -

    To add:

    The RAM door is not symmetrical. When putting back the RAM door, it should flush with the back. In STEP 1 photo of the RAM door it seems the RAM door is not fully flushed and aligned.

    Chi -

    Does replacement RAM have to made in “matched pairs”? For example, if I add an additional 32G (2x16G) to the base 8G (2x4G) can the new 16G DIMMS go in any slots or do they need to be placed into specific “matched” slots - (slots 1 & 3 and slots 2 &4)?

    Can I “mix and match” different capacity and manufacturer RAM DIMMS or do they all need to be the same ?.

    richardkpallo -

    From the Apple website for replacing ram in an iMac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191...

    For iMac’s released 2012 onwards there is no note about the position of ram or matching pairs.

    For iMac’s released 2009-2011 there is this note:

    i5 and i7 Quad Core iMac computers come with both top memory slots populated. These computers will not start up if only a single DIMM is installed in any bottom slot; these computers should operate normally with a single DIMM installed in any top slot.

    Core Duo iMac computers should operate normally with a single DIMM installed in any slot, top or bottom. ("Top" and "bottom" slots refer to the orientation of the slots in the pictures below. "Top" refers to the slots closest to the display; "bottom" refers to the slots closest to the stand.)

    There is a number of comments to say you should stagger the ram and make sure i=identical ram modules share the same DIMM number, not the same BANK number. How to couple RAM Modules in iMac 27?

    Adam Dunn -

    Does ram from iMac 27 late 2013 suit these imac or do i need to buy others?

    Bertil Woltynski -

    Do you know what voltage the OEM ram that comes with the late 2014 iMac is? I just bought some Crucial RAM and was worried about not having the correct voltage and that messing up my iMac…..

    burdell1 -

    My computer is a iMac 27" 2017 RAM Retina 5k- I want to upgrade my Ram, put 1 -8gig in each free slot, talked with Apple service centre and they want $400.+ for this etc. There must be a comparable Ram on the market I could use that would be compatible to use at normal prices etc. Any recommendations. A computer tech from Apple centre recommended I try you folks.

    Thanks Len

    walser1 -

    Hi Len,

    It so happens that we sell the exact RAM you’re looking for at a much lower cost than Apple! Before you purchase the RAM, look over this guide to get an idea on how to replace the modules.

    Arthur Shi -

    Arthur I will contact you for purchase etc.

    walser1 -

    Arthur Shi- my ram is a 260 pin, not 204pin, it is a 27” iMac 2017 Retina 5k

    walser1 -

    Arthur this is what I require, 2X8gb

    Thanks Len

    iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)

    Get memory specifications for iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017), then learn how to install memory in this model.

    Memory specifications

    This iMac model features Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM) slots on the rear of the computer near the vents with these memory specifications:

    Number of memory slots4Base memory8GB (2 x 4GB DIMMs)Maximum memory64GB (4 x 16GB DIMMs)

    Use Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules (SO-DIMM) that meet all of these criteria:

    PC4-2400 (19200)

    Unbuffered

    Nonparity

    260-pin

    2400MHz DDR4 SDRAM

    walser1 -

    Sorry! This should be the right model. Unfortunately, it looks like we have low stock on the RAM.

    Arthur Shi -

    The good news is that the memory model is common and brand-agnostic, so you can find it online. Search for 8GB DDR4 2400 PC4-19244 260 pin SODIMM memory, and any results should work.

    Arthur Shi -

    What if the ran door isn't back there but everything else is

    Pamela Smalls -

    Is it missing or just no door cutout? If it's missing it's probably not a huge deal, maybe cover it with some packing tape to keep dust out. If it doesn't have the cutout at all, it's probably a 24" or 21" model, much more difficult to upgrade the RAM on those.

    maccentric -

Conclusion

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Sam Goldheart

Member since: 19/10/12

465332 Reputation

22 comments

At the end: "To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse and use our adhesive strip replacement guide to reattach the display glass."

This does not make sense for a memory replacement guide.

xiepengpeng -

I made a few changes to the guide to make it more readable. Thanks for the tip!

Miroslav Djuric -

I am thinking about getting me an iMac 5K but not really interested in overpaying for my RAM - can I access all 4 slots in the newest iMac 5K so I could buy the entry level with 8GB and then upgrade it to 32GB myself?

sdjensen -

Yes, but make sure they are the same frequency so there won't be any issues. (1867)

vsomme -

Is it possible for 4GB x 2 model to add 8GB x 2 and having 24GB RAM

christmas -

yes, just make sure they are the higher 1867 frequency ram and you will have the original 4x2 plus your new 8x2 for total of 24gb.

vsomme -

Hey.... when i add new Ram... does it matter go it goes in? what i mean is I have 4 slots.

2gb, 2gb, 2gb, 2gb

Can i put in

2gb, 8gb, 8gb, 4bg ?

thomas -

Mixing and matching is usually not recommended ... even if the clock speed and voltage are the same, it's best if the timings are also the same, and even then, it's not guaranteed that two different sticks will work together. Most of the time they will, but you don't want to be one of the 20% or so where it doesn't.

patrickdhart -

Kindly advise if this model of RAM will fit in the iMac 5k Retina?

Kingston HyperX FURY 8GB 1866MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM - Blue (HX318C10F/8)

yahyujee -

no, yahujee, that particular RAM is for desktops (DIMM). iMacs use RAM that is the same size as laptop RAM (SODIMM)

David Farwell -

Hi, How can I tell the frequency of the RAM? The label says OWC1600DDR3S8GB and a serial #. Bill

Bill Tivol -

Hi is - HyperX 32GB (4x8gb) 1866MHz DDR3L CL11 SODIMM - supported by iMac 5k retina 27" i7 4Ghz? thnx

tommy -

did u test it?

Jordano Moscoso -

Hi the latest imac 5k retina does it use the same method to upgrade ram?

Dinesh Chandrathasan -

Same followup… does this guide apply to the recently released iMac update?

Lee Fuhr -

I see that replacement Ram for 2017 27' iMac from Crucial & OWC are CL17. The iMac comes with CL11. Where can I find the faster CL11 Ram To upgrade?

ron123 -

Please Tell Me:

Can I install only ONE (1) 8GB stick, besides to the original two (2) 4 RAM sticks that came with my iMac 5K Retina 27”? That will turn the RAM to 16GB; the other slot will remain empty for future expansion; is that OK??

Andrés Anzola -

Excellent, man!

eLDeus -

I have IMAC 27in 5k 2020 Model, and I have just bought 64GB Kit DDR4-2666 SODIUMM and I have tried putting the ram in multiple slots and various ways, yet its still not starting back up, So I keep having to remove my new ram and just use the 8GB I bought the mac with, Any Suggestions?

Rebellious Motion -

I've installed a 64GB kit in my iMac 27", in addition to the default 8GB. Although the Kit says they're DDR4-2666, in About This Mac it's showing as DDR4-2133. Is it because I've not paired the slots correctly?

davidxcrowe -

Very very disappointing for an iFixit guide. It's extremely scant on necessary detail. Can SODIMMs be added individually or must they be in pairs? Which slot is which? Which bank is which? Which slots do I use for matched banks? What are the minimum and maximum capacity?

This is nothing more than the beginning of a guide. It's an introduction, not a guide.

Liam Proven -

On the late 2015 iMac 27 inch is the max ram 32 gb or 64 gb

AG AG -