I'm going to replace my iMac C02*******GG with a new one. Can I put the 4 x 16 GB from this one into a new iMac? 2400MHz DDr4 SO-DIMM I think they're called? I think I bought them around 2020?
[Edited by Moderator]
Original Title: move16GB from old to new iMac?
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.7
No. No Apple Silicon Mac accepts any sort of RAM module. On all of them, the RAM is non-expandable and located right next to the main System on Chip.
No. No Apple Silicon Mac accepts any sort of RAM module. On all of them, the RAM is non-expandable and located right next to the main System on Chip.
macs are pretty picky when it comes to memory modules
and if you are going for a m1/2/3/4 cpu mac then the system memory is build into the cpu case so old type modules is not a thing anymore
Additionally, the Intel iMacs, 2020 and earlier, typically had dedicated graphics video card memory VRAM for the GPU separate from the motherboard RAM for the CPU.
The new Apple Silicon iMacs use unified (i.e. - integrated or shared) memory that is used for both CPU and GPU in a totally different architecture that is soldered directly on the board at time of manufacture.
When buying a new Mac of any sort, understand from the others' responses that RAM cannot by increased after the computer goes on the assembly line. What you order is your "forever RAM," at least until you get a new computer.
Current iMacs start with 16GB RAM, which is good most users. However, if you are using pro apps or doing video editing, code compiling, or other intense tasks, you can have the computer built-to-order with more, up to 32GB.
Glen Doggett wrote:
Additionally, the Intel iMacs, 2020 and earlier, typically had dedicated graphics video card memory VRAM for the GPU separate from the motherboard RAM for the CPU.
The new Apple Silicon iMacs use unified (i.e. - integrated or shared) memory that is used for both CPU and GPU in a totally different architecture that is soldered directly on the board at time of manufacture.
For the benefit of the OP: Note that many Windows users, and many Intel-based Mac users, associate the words "integrated GPU" with "low-end GPU."
All of the Apple Silicon Macs have integrated GPUs, in the sense that the CPU and GPU share a common pool of RAM. However, the higher-level chips have more GPU cores, and are connected to RAM in a way that allows delivering a lot of data very quickly to the GPU. A Max chip can deliver GPU performance that, in the Intel world, might require a discrete GPU. This seems to be especially true for productivity applications, as opposed to gaming.
DigitalTrends – The M4 Max somehow holds its own against the RTX 4080 Super
AnandTech – Apple's M1 Pro, M1 Max SoCs Investigated: New Performance and Efficiency Heights
Can I use/move my old 16GB RAM in a new iMac?
