Got some ancient hardware I’m trying to use:
- Resurrected iMac 24″ (early 2008). Not a bad 24″ display and it is decent for processing. Bummer that the mini-DVI port on the back (before displayport) won’t work in target mode so you can’t use the beautiful display for much. But otherwise decent even though it only has 2GB of memory. It is technically a iMac 8,1 running a Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.8″ with EMC 2211.
There are two RAM slots that are in a small access plan on the underside of the display. You need to get a 2GB and a 4GB preferable as a matched set which are DDR2 SODIMM PC2-6400 8Mhz (a mouthfull!). The need for a matched set has to do with interleaving of memory access, but performance-wise this is a not a big deal.
These things used to cost $300 for 6GB in 2008 but things have changed. Crucial seels the so called notebook 2GB module for $21
How to Upgrade iMac RAM (20″ and 24″ Aluminum) @ EveryMac.com
Specifically, the “Mid-2007” (iMac7,1) models use 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SO-DIMMs (200-pin), the “Early 2008” (iMac8,1) models use 800 MHz PC2-6400 DDR2 SO-DIMMs (200-pin), and the “Early 2009” and “Mid-2009” (both iMac9,1) models use 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs (204-pin).
Officially, the “Mid-2007” and “Early 2008” models support a maximum of 4 GB of RAM, but they actually can support 6 GB. The “Early 2009” and “Mid-2009” models, however, both officially and unofficially support a maximum of 8 GB of RAM.
To get this, I see that:
Amazon has for $21(?!!) Crucial 2GB Single DDR2 800MHz (PC2-6400) CL6 SODIMM 200-Pin Notebook Memory Module CT25664AC800
However for what ever reason the 4GB part is way more at $82 (?!) at Crucial 4GB Single DDR2 800MHz (PC2-6400) CL6 SODIMM 200-Pin Notebook Memory Module CT51264AC800
So need to think about whether the extra 2GB of memory is really worth it.
