64gb of RAM registering in my 2010 iMac 27" core i3

[avner]

Hey everyone, something unusual happened today,

I ordered 32gb of Corsair 10600 for my 27" iMac 2010 and its registering as 64gb in all areas of the computer, even GeekBench 3 and memory clean see it as 64gb.

 

[avner]

Picture

 

[pigoo3]

I ordered 32gb of Corsair 10600 for my 27" iMac 2010 and its registering as 64gb in all areas of the computer, even GeekBench 3 and memory clean see it as 64gb.

WOW...yes this does seem VERY unusual. Max ram for this computer is only supposed to be 16gig. So even the 32gig that was ordered should not be registering as 32 gig (let alone 64gig).

Even brand new 2015 27" 5K retina iMacs only have a max. ram of 32gig.

Just for the heck of it...what does Activity Monitor say?

- Nick

 

[avner]

activity monitor

Hey Nick!

I agree, I have never seen anything like this before.

It appears under activity monitor that 32gb is already spoken for and the remaining 32gb is more or less available.

So strange.

 

[pigoo3]

I agree, I have never seen anything like this before.

It appears under activity monitor that 32gb is already spoken for and the remaining 32gb is more or less available.

So strange.

This is very very unusual...I'm not sure what to think or say. Sometimes after a new model computer is released...sometimes the max ram is found to be higher than what Apple states.

But since this is a 2010 model iMac...this sort of thing should have been tested & discovered long ago.

And even stranger (since max ram is supposed to be 16gig). Usually if a computer exceeds what Apple states...it's only by "one-step". In the normal sequence of steps or levels of ram is...4gig, 8gig, 16gig, 32gig, 64gig.

In this case. This 2010 iMac is exceeding the max by 2 steps (64gig instead of 16gig).

- Nick

 

[chscag]

Are there 24 GB modules being sold or in production? OWC sells 8, 16, and 32 GB modules but not 24 GB.

 

[harryb2448]

Corsair only state 6x4GB packages in their 24GB memory. Wonder if it is being confused by double sided or something similar?

 

[lclev]

That is really strange. I am curious - Is the system stable and running well? Have you run any memory checking or testing apps on it?

Obviously for some reason it is reading the modules incorrectly. Hey, maybe you got some prototype by mistake.

Lisa

 

[stoefy]

Hi did u manage to find out why this is happening and if it might cause any issues?

As i am having the same strange thing and it seems to be running fine for the past few dys

 

[Rod]

I have to say my first guess would be a compatibility problem. Still it is odd especially if everything is running well. It would be interesting to see what you would register if you remove say the two 8 Gb chips. If you then have 24 Gb then you probably can assume they are all working as intended. It's Activity Monitor that has me really puzzled. It says it's using 34 Gb but the numbers don't add up even if there are more off the screen.

 

[stoefy]

Can someone please advise if this configuration is ok or should i change the RAM. I am wondering if i instill 16gb if the performance will be better or if i leave it as 32gb installed which is showing up as 64gb is giving me the better performance ????

Please suggest what i should do thanks

 

[chscag]

Tell us which memory modules you installed; the make and how much? It appears that certain modules are incompatible and will read out giving the appearance of having more memory.

 

[lclev]

Yes, what chscag said. And also - how is the computer behaving? Are there any issues?

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

My bet would be double sided PC memory, not Mac compatible memory, being misread.

 

[chscag]

You could be right Harry. Not many folks realize that the iMac is actually a large notebook computer built vertically. The iMac uses the same memory modules that notebooks do and also uses a mobile graphics chipset.

 

[dtravis7]

You could be right Harry. Not many folks realize that the iMac is actually a large notebook computer built vertically. The iMac uses the same memory modules that notebooks do and also uses a mobile graphics chipset.

VERY true. Another note is I once bought some Cosair Ram for my G5 iMac and it failed. Seen a lot of issues with Cosair in some Macs.

 

[stoefy]

I am using SK Hynix memory modules and it's 4 x 8gb and they 1600

 

[lclev]

SK Hynix supplies Apple with memory. If you got the correct modules and not ones made for a Windows PC it does not make sense to me.

If it is running well with no issues I would leave it and see what happens. But that it me. I would also keep my backups current!

Lisa

 

[stoefy]

Hi so should i remove the 4 x 8gb sticks and put in 4 x 4gb sticks? I slotted 2 x 8gb sticks in my old 2011 macbook pro and it shows up as the 16gb so it does seems that apple is able to read the modules. So not sure if i should leave it as it is showing as 64gb or change it to 16gb. For performance and it to run stable

 

[lclev]

Only you can determine if it is stable and running well. If it is, leave it alone. If not, change it out. I am willing to bet there will be issues but only you can know for sure.

Lisa