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What Ram to order with the new 2019 IMac?
- Thread starter Potts17
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Yep, that’s the one I got and installed it last night. All good so far on my i9
Really appreciate it - I just ordered it for delivery tomorrow.
SO much cheaper than Apple's options at checkout!
According to the manufacturer, that RAM will not work in a 2018 Mac mini (which seems to use the same RAM as the 2019 iMac):
We do not show any of our Ballistix series of memory as being compatible with your Mac Mini. Ballistix branded memory is our faster gaming series of memory and has timings that the Mac will not work with. We do offer a 32GB kit of Crucial branded memory that will work with your 2018 Mac Mini. The part number that you will want to search on Amazon is CT2K16G4SFD8266.
I've been using the PC4-19200 version of this Ballistix in my 2017 iMac for almost two years with no problems whatsoever in spite of the fact that on Crucial's website it says "not compatible with iMac" in giant red lettering.
Despite the faster CAS latency than the stock Apple RAM I have been using 32GB of it together with the Apple RAM for 40GB and it performs excellently. All the modules will run at CL19, the slowest common denominator. In the future I'll swap out the Apple RAM for another 32GB of Ballistix and then all will run at CL17.
As for the Ballistix and the 2019 iMac, there is a review from a customer who has installed it successfully on that (Amazon) page.
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Interesting. (Here’s the review.)
However, there is another review right below it reporting that:
…after installing the RAM into my iMac 27' 2019, my RAM speeds are lowered to 2400Mhz, across the board (meaning: the already installed 8GB are now downclocked).
Interesting indeed. I can't speak to this because my 2017 iMac is meant to run at 2400 but if I were that user I'd try removing the Apple RAM to see if it runs at 2666.
Also, I'd want to confirm he has the modules installed in proper channels.
Benchmarks improved marginally for me with the addition of the Ballistix and even more when I tested it with the faster Ballistix alone.
The only downclocking I experienced was to the slower CAS latency of the Apple RAM.
I've found another review which states that RAM defaults to 2400 MHz unless the computer makes use of an XMP profile. Maybe this is also the case when installed on the new iMac 2019.
"...It does not, however, work at the advertized 2666 Mhz transfer speed unless you are able to enable the XMP profile..."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H38422/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
On this RAM, I have all 4 sticks showing 2666Mhz on my 2019 Core i9 iMac. the two 4GB Sticks from Apple + the two 16GB Sticks from Crucial. No down-clocking here.
In a few months, I'll probably grab another set of these so the iMac will have 64GB but 40 is enough for now.
![GcALmqV.jpeg]()
On this RAM, I have all 4 sticks showing 2666Mhz on my 2019 Core i9 iMac. the two 4GB Sticks from Apple + the two 16GB Sticks from Crucial. No down-clocking here.
In a few months, I'll probably grab another set of these so the iMac will have 64GB but 40 is enough for now.
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i bought 4 times "Kingston HyperX Impact 16GB DDR4 2666MHz 16GB DDR4 2666MHz"
iMac is in order since last sunday...
i do not worry much about the compatibility of the ram...
will be fine.
410 dollar for 64GB of ram, pretty oke.
I need as much is i an afford, so i will watch the price of those 32GB modules closely
iMac is in order since last sunday...
i do not worry much about the compatibility of the ram...
will be fine.
410 dollar for 64GB of ram, pretty oke.
I need as much is i an afford, so i will watch the price of those 32GB modules closely
Thank you. Yes, I noticed this review as well, although it is not for an iMac. I do think it might be best stick with the regular Crucial 2666MHz for the 2019 iMac and not the Ballistix if this is the case.
There was a similar situation with Kingston HyperX RAM some users bought for the 2017 iMac that was labeled as PC4-19200 but actually overclocked to 2400MHz and caused all sorts of compatibility issues.
Maybe I'm missing something but I can't find anything on the Crucial site that specifically says this RAM is compatible with the 2019 iMac?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H38422/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
On this RAM, I have all 4 sticks showing 2666Mhz on my 2019 Core i9 iMac. the two 4GB Sticks from Apple + the two 16GB Sticks from Crucial. No down-clocking here.
In a few months, I'll probably grab another set of these so the iMac will have 64GB but 40 is enough for now.
![GcALmqV.jpeg]()
What utility are you using to get this display?
Thanks
If you go to Crucial’s web page for their CT2K16G4SFD8266 RAM and check compatibility with “iMac 2019” or “iMac19,1”, you will see that Crucial state that it is not compatible.
In answers to customer questions on the Amazon web page for the same product, Micron CPG Customer Service have given conflicting answers:
March 19: “I have looked up your system and found that part number CT2K8G4SFS8266 does show as compatible with the 2019 iMac.”
March 21: “I have looked up your system and found that part number CT2K8G4SFS8266 does show as compatible with the 2019 iMac.”
April 1: “At this time we do not have any compatibility recommendations for memory and this system. The part number that you provided does appear to be compatible but we cannot 100% guarantee this at this time.”
April 3: “At this time we have not validated any memory for the unreleased 2019 iMac.”
March 21: “I have looked up your system and found that part number CT2K8G4SFS8266 does show as compatible with the 2019 iMac.”
April 1: “At this time we do not have any compatibility recommendations for memory and this system. The part number that you provided does appear to be compatible but we cannot 100% guarantee this at this time.”
April 3: “At this time we have not validated any memory for the unreleased 2019 iMac.”
We know that several readers here have already reported this RAM working in their 2019 iMacs.
Crucial really need to get their act together.
I have Crucial in my 2017 5k iMac and haven't had one issue at all. Im still debating on whether to upgrade to the 2019 i9 with Vega 48 though.
About this Mac -> System Report
aka System Information in the Utilities folder inside Applications
As I've mentioned in other threads, the "compatible for iMac" may be solely related to conformity with Apple's environmental standards of lead-free and halogen-free.
Thanks. It's been such a long time since I've looked at that. It has really changed.
Finally got my iMac today and installed 64GB of Crucial CT2K16G4SFD8266, recognized with no problems. Running at 2666.
Or better yet, add 16GB in addition to the stock RAM for 24GB (or add 32GB as I did for 40GB). No need for replacement.
Thats true. However when picking what ram to get when its new, unless you are unable or unwilling for whatever reason to upgrade it yourself its cheaper to just get 8gb and replace it if you need too. Having Apple add ram is more expensive in any configuration.
I could have worded that better initially.
I am hoping to get some confirmation...
Based on what I read on this, it appears that CT2K16G4SFD8266 (Cruical 2x16GB Ram) works for 2019 iMac. Great!
When I spoke to Apple and Crucial Customer Service, it appears that the 2019 iMac Model (27" 3.0ghz [cheapest model]) can only be updated to 32GB of ram. I am PRETTY sure that they are wrong since the Apple website states that the 2019 iMac 27" (no differential on the 3 imacs) can have a max ram of 64GB; while, OWC claims that the 2019 iMac can go up to 128GB.
For my purposes, 40GB is enough; but with all of the information on the internet, I am hoping someone can give me some assurance that the 32GB will work for my iMac. Based on my research, it appears that I will have no problem with the 32GB ram but I would love a second opinion.
Also, is there any issue with dual channel if theres 2x4GB and 2x16GB ram? I am not familiar with this concept...sorry
Based on what I read on this, it appears that CT2K16G4SFD8266 (Cruical 2x16GB Ram) works for 2019 iMac. Great!
When I spoke to Apple and Crucial Customer Service, it appears that the 2019 iMac Model (27" 3.0ghz [cheapest model]) can only be updated to 32GB of ram. I am PRETTY sure that they are wrong since the Apple website states that the 2019 iMac 27" (no differential on the 3 imacs) can have a max ram of 64GB; while, OWC claims that the 2019 iMac can go up to 128GB.
For my purposes, 40GB is enough; but with all of the information on the internet, I am hoping someone can give me some assurance that the 32GB will work for my iMac. Based on my research, it appears that I will have no problem with the 32GB ram but I would love a second opinion.
Also, is there any issue with dual channel if theres 2x4GB and 2x16GB ram? I am not familiar with this concept...sorry