iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display 2019 RAM Replacement

Written By: Adam O'Camb
  • Comments: 23
iMac Intel 27" Retina 5K Display 2019 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.

Before beginning any work on your iMac: Unplug the computer and press and hold the power button for ten seconds to discharge the power supply's capacitors.

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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.

    • 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

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 11/04/15

178619 Reputation

4 comments

Saludos, alguien me pudiera decir cuanto soporta de máximo de memoria RAM que soporta?, en Crucial dice que 64Gb de RAM, pero en Apple dice que el procesador 3.0Ghz (que es el que tiene el equipo que se quiere aumentar la memoria) solo 32Gb, por experiencia en otros equipos creo si soporta los 64Gb pero si me gustaría tener la seguridad para hacer la compra, gracias.

Juan Pablo Chávez Flores -

Hi. I ordered 2x32GB Crucial mac memories for my iMac 27, 2019 3,1GHz.
It starts with these Crucial memories, but very very slowly. The startup takes 10 minutes with a dual channel mode.
Has somebody had the same problem?

Zoltán Papp -

Yes! I bought 4 x 8GB and found out that I had to change two and two of the RAM cards. I had to go through a long list of variables ways to put the cards back in. (Ex. only change spot no 1 and 3, only change spot 2 and 3, etc....) After a while I hit it, and the iMac started if I pressed R+P+control+command while starting up. I got to know that the iMac needed to get to know the new cards..... (sounds really weird). After using only 2 of the new cards for several months (4-5) I tried to change the 2 next. So now I have all the 4 new RAM cards in, and the iMac WONT START. I have tried all kinds of variants of starting it, and moved around the cards. Still black. I ended up buying a Mac Book Pro, as a result of frustration. I still would like to be able to start my iMac 2019. Anyone?

Aagotart -

Have the same problem for the past two days.

Having four identical apple OEM rams but the system won't turn on with all four slots installed. It will with 3, with 2 but not with 4. Also, it doesn't matter which order you put or which ram of the four one you installed. All of them are working in pair of 3s or 2s but not all together.

I am really bamboozled.

Greg Pap -