IMAC: Does it use something to put more RAM?|Macgeneration

You are configuring a new Mac, and arriving at the "Memory" box.Should we add?That's a good question.The gain provided by a more powerful processor or a more efficient graphics card is easily quantifiable.But the RAM?The continuous effort to optimize operating systems is reinforced by functions such as compressed memory, and the use of virtual memory is no longer as sensitive now as the SSDs reach 3 GB/s flows.

But then, the endowment in RAM no longer counts?Let's say that things are a little more complicated than a simple "plus, it's better".Take the example of the IMAC Retina 5K "high-end", the same one that we recently tested, provided with 8 GB of DDR4 memory at 2,400 MHz in two 4 GB bars.Two locations are free: let's slide two 8 GB bars from the same DDRR memory at 2,400 MHz, for a total of 24 GB of RA.

The effect is absolutely imperceptible in most of the applications we use to carry out our tests.Safari is perhaps a little more comfortable when pushing him in his entrenchments, but this is a vague sensation rather than a directly quantifiable element.The tripling of the Endowment in RAM increases the geekbench score by 1.75 %... and this is almost what it should change in Microsoft Word.

The fact is that MacOS Sierra perfectly accommodates 8 GB of RAM, and that you probably have no interest in putting 64 GB of RAM in your iMac to surf the web.But you have every interest in doing so if you use certain professional applications like Final Cut or Logic.In Logic in particular, the transition to 24 GB of RAM made it possible to solve the small rising problems that we had identified in our test.

This conclusion is not a surprise, of course.What is more is that the system and integrated applications are much less sensitive to the endowment in RAM than at a time when they were undoubtedly less optimized.Therefore, we understand that Apple does not provide 16 or 32 GB of memory in series: this would not be used for much in the vast majority of cases.

One thing is certain: if you eye on an iMac Retina 5K, and even if allow you to use gourmet applications, do not inflate RAM to the purchase.Apple sells memory at an astronomical price: € 720 for 32 GB and € 1,680 (!) The 64 GB.However, it is supplied with Micron, which sells the same barrettes under the crucial brand… for € 280 for 32 GB and € 560 for 64 GB.As it is still possible to access the memory of the iMac Retina 5K and to install your own bars ...