2012 Mac Mini Stock RAM vs 16GB 1333mhz

[paulrbeers]

Very interesting benchmarks. I have screen prints, but I don't have time to upload them tonight so you'll just have to take my word for it...

Geekbench 32bit (I don't own a license):
Stock 4GB @ 1600mhz - 10734
16GB @ 1333mhz - 10958 (tried it again and got 10997 )

Xbench (first number is stock 4GB, second is 16GB @ 1333mhz):
Overall Score: 334.66 / 329.49
CPU: 266.70 / 271.39
Memory Test: 633.23 / 625.53
Quarts Graphics Test: 526.67 / 505.27
OpenGL: 251.87 / 244.61
User Interface: 267.17 / 261.48


Handbrake encoding*:
Stock 4GB @ 1600mhz - 6:42
16GB @ 1333mhz - 6:43

* I ripped a copy of 10 Things I Hate About You in VOB format and converted it to h.264 at Handbrake's "Normal" Setting

One of two conclusions can be made of the above results:
1. In none of the tests was there a statistical significant difference in the results (meaning that the results were all to close to say either was "faster" than the other by any major margin).
2. If upgrading from the Stock amount of RAM, then going with "slower" RAM will not significantly impact performance. This can be because of one of the following:

A. The Mini is starved for RAM at 4GB and any loss in performance by using slower RAM is made up for by having more.
B. Or in the end the bandwidth loss by going with slower 1333mhz (but lower latency) isn't enough of a performance loss to make a significant difference in the over all performance of our Mini's.

So my point? Buy whatever is a good deal because in the end it probably isn't going to make a significant difference unless money is no object (of course).

[foofan]

can you describe a newbie like me about slower ram? if i upgrade a 2012 mini what is the fastest ram?

[G-Mo]

Why not put in 16GB 1600??

[53x12]

Originally Posted by G-Mo

Why not put in 16GB 1600??

Because some people are looking to save money or come across good desks for 1333 RAM. I went with 1600 myself.

[G-Mo]

Originally Posted by 53x12

Because some people are looking to save money or come across good desks for 1333 RAM. I went with 1600 myself.

What's the savings? Both are about $85.

What are your benchmarks for 16GB 1600?

[paulrbeers]

Originally Posted by G-Mo

What's the savings? Both are about $85.

What are your benchmarks for 16GB 1600?

Actually I picked up the 1333mhz ram for only $48! So for that price it was a no brainer, especially since the benchmarks show no loss in speed compared to stock 1600mhz @ 4gb

[53x12]

Originally Posted by G-Mo

What's the savings? Both are about $85.

What are your benchmarks for 16GB 1600?

Guys were buying 1333 RAM for $48: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1530291

I think my 2.3 i7 with 16GB is scoring just under 12000. Something like 11980 or so (64 bit).

[philipma1957]

Originally Posted by foofan

can you describe a newbie like me about slower ram? if i upgrade a 2012 mini what is the fastest ram?

the fastest ram is this;

made an error here is correction

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104317

paul used this price was 48 bucks

[G-Mo]

Originally Posted by 53x12

Guys were buying 1333 RAM for $48: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1530291

I think my 2.3 i7 with 16GB is scoring just under 12000. Something like 11980 or so (64 bit).

Both links in that thread are for 1600 RAM, and both are Corsair Value Select... That RAM is not Apple qualified/certified and is notorious for causing unstable behaviour with Macs.

[philipma1957]

Originally Posted by philipma1957

the fastest ram is this;

correction below
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104317
price 125


paul used this

Originally Posted by G-Mo

Both links in that thread are for 1600 RAM, and both are Corsair Value Select... That RAM is not Apple qualified/certified and is notorious for causing unstable behaviour with Macs.

the 1333 ram I have in the post above you is patriot it is good stable ram for 2011 mac minis and 2012 mac minis. it was on sale for 48 bucks.

[G-Mo]

Originally Posted by philipma1957

the fastest ram is this;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104316

This RAM is not SODIMM and won't work in a 2012 Mac mini.

[philipma1957]

Originally Posted by G-Mo

This RAM is not SODIMM and won't work in a 2012 Mac mini.

good spot


here is the correct link


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104317

[chrfr]

Originally Posted by philipma1957

good spot


here is the correct link


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104317

That's way overpriced at $130. There's no advantages to CAS9 in these computers. RAM running at 1333 isn't perceptibly faster; this would make less difference than that.

[53x12]

Originally Posted by G-Mo

Both links in that thread are for 1600 RAM, and both are Corsair Value Select... That RAM is not Apple qualified/certified and is notorious for causing unstable behaviour with Macs.

You obviously didn't read the thread:

Originally Posted by TWO2SEVEN

I ordered from this link yesterday. I should have it today, but I may not be able to install it until tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1529841

[philipma1957]

Originally Posted by chrfr

That's way overpriced at $130. There's no advantages to CAS9 in these computers. RAM running at 1333 isn't perceptibly faster; this would make less difference than that.

I never told any one to use it . I answered the simple question what is the fastest ram available for the 2012 mac mini . I don't use it as only a handful of people would be able to get any real world benefit from it.

A) you need to use more then 13gb ram often
B) you need to be doing ram intensive tasks


Basically any ram that works with a good price is what I use.

[Che Castro]

So what is the best cheapest ram 16gb for the 2012 base mini ?

Can you post a link

[fhqwhgads]

I guess maybe I'm confused, but doesn't having 4 times the RAM @ 1333 and getting almost no benefit vs 1600 show that the bus speed makes a big difference? Wouldn't the helpful test be to compare equal amounts of RAM at the two bus speeds? I look at your results and make the exact opposite conclusion: that having the decrease in bus speed means you need 4 times as much RAM to get basically the same performance.

Help me understand what I'm missing here as I'm definitely not super savvy about this sort of thing.

[costabunny]

www.crucial.com - select your mac and it will give you the available options for your specific mac (usually shows sets of two and single dimms)

[G-Mo]

Originally Posted by Che Castro

So what is the best cheapest ram 16gb for the 2012 base mini ?

Can you post a link

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148609

[paulrbeers]

Originally Posted by fhqwhgads

I guess maybe I'm confused, but doesn't having 4 times the RAM @ 1333 and getting almost no benefit vs 1600 show that the bus speed makes a big difference? Wouldn't the helpful test be to compare equal amounts of RAM at the two bus speeds? I look at your results and make the exact opposite conclusion: that having the decrease in bus speed means you need 4 times as much RAM to get basically the same performance.

Help me understand what I'm missing here as I'm definitely not super savvy about this sort of thing.

More RAM rarely means better benchmarks unless your computer is starved for RAM. More RAM is needed so you can run more stuff at any given time. So basically unless 4gb is too little to handle the OS + benchmarks, 16 vs 4 matters none. More RAM does not equal faster, it just means you can have more applications open before your system slows...

----------

Originally Posted by Che Castro

So what is the best cheapest ram 16gb for the 2012 base mini ?

Can you post a link

You can use any sodimm 1333mhz or better DDR3. It doesn't have to be "Mac RAM". However, if you do buy "pc" RAM be sure to check the reviews for how it works in Macs. There is no difference between Mac and PC ram other than occasionally some of the PC RAM is out of spec for a Mac. With that said as of the Core i series, the memory controller is on the CPU now so there is very little RAM that won't work in a MAC that works in a PC. You can usually save yourself $10-20 by going PC ram