iMac: Memory specifications and upgrades

Summary

Learn about the types of random access memory (RAM) and video memory (VRAM) used in iMac computers. For specific instructions on installing memory, refer to the linked documents.

Learn how to identify which iMac model you have, then refer to this table.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) 32 GB PC3-12800
(1600) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM

512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM,
1 GB GDDR5 SDRAM and 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM 

4
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) 16 GB None PC3-12800
(1600) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		  512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM

3
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) 16 GB PC3-10600
(1333) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM

512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM and
1 GB GDDR5 SDRAM and 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM 

2
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) 16 GB PC3-10600
(1333) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		 512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM

2
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) 16 GB PC3-10600
(1333) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM

512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM and
1 GB GDDR5 SDRAM

2
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) 16 GB PC3-10600
(1333) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		 256 MB up to 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM

2
iMac (Late 2009) 16 GB PC3-8500
(1066) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		 256 up to 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM

2
iMac (Mid 2009) 4 GB PC3-8500
(1066) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		 256 up to 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
iMac (Early 2009) 8 GB PC3-8500
(1066) DDR3
204-pin
SO-DIMM		 256 up to 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
iMac (Early 2008) 4 GB PC2-6400
(800) DDR2
200-pin
SO-DIMM		 128 or 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
iMac (Mid 2007) 4 GB PC2-5300
(667) DDR2
200-pin
SO-DIMM		 128 or 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
iMac (Late 2006) 4 GB PC2-5300
(667) DDR2
200-pin
SO-DIMM		 128 MB GDDR3 SDRAM 1
iMac (Mid 2006) and iMac (17-inch Late 2006 CD) 2 GB PC2-5300
(667) DDR2
200-pin
SO-DIMM		 64 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
iMac (Early 2006) 2 GB PC2-5300
(667) DDR2
200-pin
SO-DIMM		 128 MB GDDR3 SDRAM  
         

Notes:

  • All iMac models have multiple memory slots. See articles for each individual iMac model to learn how much memory can be installed in each slot.
  1. Although the iMac (Late 2006) computers will accept up to a 2 GB SO-DIMM in each of the two memory slots, the iMac will only support 3 GB total memory.
  2. The iMac (Late 2009), iMac (Mid 2010) and iMac (Mid 2011) have four SDRAM slots, each of which can accept a 2 GB or 4 GB SO-DIMM.
  3. The iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) has no user installable SDRAM slots.
  4. The iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) has four SDRAM slots, each of which can accept a 4 GB, or 8 GB SO-DIMM.

Additional Information

Learn more about the memory specifications on iMac computers:

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