AppleInsider Staff
Aftermarket Mac solutions specialist Other World Computing on Tuesday confirmed the recently released 27-inch iMac models support a maximum 64GB of RAM, double that of previous generation models, while the new 21.5-inch 4K iMac comes with soldered-on RAM.
According to a post on OWC's blog, Apple's new 5K iMac update with Intel Skylake processors is capable of addressing up to 64GB of RAM split between four memory slots. By comparison, the first-generation iMac with 5K Retina display introduced last year maxed out at 32GB of addressable RAM.
OWC's in-house testing lab confirmed Apple's latest 27-inch all-in-one supports a maximum of four 16GB DIMMs, pointing out these allotments are only available to late-2015 iMacs carrying the new 17,1 designation. As such, the company will tomorrow offer 48GB (two 16GB DIMMS plus two 8GB DIMMs) and 64GB memory kits as aftermarket upgrade paths priced at $729 and $1195, respectively. Also going up for sale are 16GB module and a new 32GB kit using a pair of those new modules for a respective $329 and $599.
Currently, OWC offers memory kits compatible with Apple's new 5K iMac starting at 8GB for $68.00, 16GB for $134.00 and 32GB for $264.00.
On a related note, OWC tore down Apple's new 21.5-inch iMac with 4K Retina display to find the computer comes with soldered RAM, meaning after purchase memory upgrades are impossible. The company suggests customers get as much RAM as possible from the factory.
Apple today introduced a refreshed 27-inch 5K iMac with Intel Skylake CPUs for $1,799 alongside an all-new 21.5-inch iMac with 4K Retina display starting at $1,499.
Malcolm Owen
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Chip Loder
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102 Comments
Sweet now it can run twice as many virtual servers for me.
I'm in.
I wonder if OWC will offer SSDs for the new iMac 27"? They don't currently offer one for the previous 5k retina model.
[quote name="pmz" url="/t/189139/report-confirms-new-27-5k-imac-supports-up-to-64gb-of-ram-21-5-4k-imac-limited-to-soldered-on-ram#post_2790461"]Sweet now it can run twice as many virtual servers for me.[/quote] Have to ask, are you running OSX Server? What are you doing with each server? I've seen the new Mac Pro used as a server but never an iMac.
I don't get the rationale behind soldered RAM on a full desktop computer. Sure I get it on a portable, with all the space constraints and such, but on a 20+'' iMac? That's just poor judgment. If by some unhappy chance someone get a faulty RAM, that quits on you just after AppleCare expires, that on itself will require full logic board replacement.