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Uplift

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
465
187
UK
Does memory in a mac work better in dual channel mode similar to a windows setup?

I'm upgrading my mac mini from 4gb to 8gb.. crucial offer single 8gb stick or 2x4gb sticks.

Would it be a bad idea to get the 8gb stick and leave 2gb in there totalling 10gb? or would i get better performance from 2x4gb?
 

Micky Do

macrumors 68020
Aug 31, 2012
2,204
3,146
a South Pacific island
Should be fine

Does memory in a mac work better in dual channel mode similar to a windows setup?

I'm upgrading my mac mini from 4gb to 8gb.. crucial offer single 8gb stick or 2x4gb sticks.

Would it be a bad idea to get the 8gb stick and leave 2gb in there totalling 10gb? or would i get better performance from 2x4gb?

I have the original 1 GB and an added 4 GB alongside for a total of 5 GB in my early 2009 Mini. It works just fine. I know others with odd RAM pairings in various Macs, with no problems.
 

Schnort

macrumors regular
Oct 24, 2013
193
50
If you're not ram limited, 2x4GB is slightly faster than 8GB+2GB. It's an architectural thing that has nothing to do with the OS.

If you're ram limited, having more ram is better if you can avoid paging.
 

BigRed1

macrumors 6502
Dec 13, 2011
291
63
Do the 1x8. It may be a tad slower at some stuff, but then to go up to 16 if you want to in the future you will save yourself money and make it easier to do.
 

blanka

macrumors 68000
Jul 30, 2012
1,551
4
If you do 2+8, 2+2 of that runs in dual channel mode, the other 6 in single channel. But you do have 2GB extra, so less page outs. In a speed measuring program only running on a little RAM 2x4 will probably win (if it fits in the 2+2 of the 10 GB setup you won't even notice), in RL 2+8 will definitely win.
 

Uplift

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 1, 2011
465
187
UK
Thanks for the suggestions i will go with the 8GB stick and leave the 2 in there :)
 
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