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2012 Mac Mini RAM Compatability

S

Silky Smoove

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2012
3
0
With all of the RAM options available (OWC, Crucial, Newegg, etc.), are there guidelines for what is compatible?

I assume getting as close to the Apple spec is the safest bet, but what spec should get priority? Voltage? Latency?
 
OWC is my usual go-to online store for RAM. But I purchased 16GB from Crucial because it is $82 vs. $115 at OWC. Both stores are highly rated by consumers.

Both OWC and Crucial make it very easy to find the correct RAM for your Mac. You just need to know which Mac you own; no fussing around with arcane RAM technical specifications. Newegg and similar retailers? Not so easy... And there seem to be more problems associated with buying RAM intended for Macs.

I realize that it is possible to locate compatible RAM for less money but I am going to stick with RAM suppliers that make it easier to purchase RAM that is guaranteed to work with my Macs.
 
I've got a mid tier standard model (2.3 i7 quad) arriving on Monday. I'll likely just go with the Crucial 16gb and call it good. The deals on Newegg are what made post this thread. The savings isn't huge, and if Crucial is known to be fully compatible, I'll stick with that.
 
RAM with min latency?

What is the fastest, i.e. providing min latency, RAM (2x8GB) compatible with Mac mini 2012, please? :confused:

So far I found the following offerings from three reputable manufacturers: :)

Kingston ;)
System Specific Memory: Apple Mac mini (DDR3) Core i5/i7 (Late 2012)
8GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz
Part Number: KTA-MB1600/8G
HTS: 8473.30.1140, ECCN: EAR99
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?DeviceType=2&Mfr=APP&Line=Mac mini (DDR3)&Model=80279

Mushkin ;)
977038A - 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 SODIMM PC3L-12800 11-11-11-28 Apple
Type: DDR3 SODIMM
Voltage: 1.35V
Speed Spec: PC3L-12800
Frequency: 1600 MHz

Capacity
Kit Type: Dual Kit
Module Size: 8GB

Timings
tCL: 11
tRCD: 11
tRP: 11
tRAS: 28
http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Apple/977038A.aspx

Crucial ;)
DDR3 Upgrade for the Apple Mac mini (Late 2012) Desktop/PC
16GB kit (8GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM, DDR3 PC3-12800 memory module
Part Number: CT3650286
Module Size: 16GB kit (8GBx2)
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 •
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=357C4175A5CA7304

Any help would be appreciated greatly! :D
 
dogmusic said:
Apple ram requirements state 1.35v for the 2012 Mac Mini memory.

Will it harm this computer to use 1.5v RAM in it?

I bought this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231580

Will it be okay?
Click to expand...
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/15136220/
I've run several ivy bridge PC builds that all use 1.5V and they've worked with no problems thus far. I dont know if Mac is that different, since it is using Intel's chipset anyways.

If anything, going from the link above.
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=357C4175A5CA7304
Crucial states the ram to be 1.35V and it is guaranteed to work with the late 2012 mac mini.
If you're worried, just get those :\
 
Last edited:
dogmusic said:
Apple ram requirements state 1.35v for the 2012 Mac Mini memory.

Will it harm this computer to use 1.5v RAM in it?

I bought this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231580

Will it be okay?
Click to expand...

that gskill scared me off.

as for 1.5 volt ram vs 1.35 volt don't worry both are good.

1.65 volts is more of an issue.


I will open my mini in an hour (running a clone) to see the stock ram. most likely it will be 1.5 volts
 
dogmusic said:
Apple ram requirements state 1.35v for the 2012 Mac Mini memory.

Will it harm this computer to use 1.5v RAM in it?

I bought this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231580

Will it be okay?
Click to expand...
1.5v is perfectly OK and is what the new Mac Minis have been shipping with. I posted a link earlier this week with a picture of a memory stick that ifixit had removed. It was Crucial and according to their data sheet it is 1.5v.
The link is here and towards the bottom:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1476526/
 
Ice Dragon said:
Where does Apple state this?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I was mistaken about that.

It is Crucial that only lists the 1.3v ram as compatible for this Apple model.

----------
philipma1957 said:
that gskill scared me off.
Click to expand...

Why did the G.Skill scare you off?

Do you mean that the G.Skill is not good RAM?

----------
kdoug said:
1.5v is perfectly OK and is what the new Mac Minis have been shipping with. I posted a link earlier this week with a picture of a memory stick that ifixit had removed. It was Crucial and according to their data sheet it is 1.5v.
The link is here and towards the bottom:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1476526/
Click to expand...

Many thanks for this and all your replies.
 
If you are upgrading memory in the new Mac Mini with memory from Crucial (say the 16GB option), does that mean you are simply throwing away the 4GB (2x2GB) of memory that came pre-installed? What other use might there be for the stock memory that will get pulled out?
 
jmcrutch said:
If you are upgrading memory in the new Mac Mini with memory from Crucial (say the 16GB option), does that mean you are simply throwing away the 4GB (2x2GB) of memory that came pre-installed? What other use might there be for the stock memory that will get pulled out?
Click to expand...

eBay? Sell here? That's what my plan is.
 
jmcrutch said:
If you are upgrading memory in the new Mac Mini with memory from Crucial (say the 16GB option), does that mean you are simply throwing away the 4GB (2x2GB) of memory that came pre-installed? What other use might there be for the stock memory that will get pulled out?
Click to expand...

I have the stock memory of my MacBook Pro (2x2 GB) lying around here for two years, and now the 4GB from the Mini will join. Really, there's nothing you can do nowadays with 2GB RAM sticks ...
 
jmcrutch said:
If you are upgrading memory in the new Mac Mini with memory from Crucial (say the 16GB option), does that mean you are simply throwing away the 4GB (2x2GB) of memory that came pre-installed? What other use might there be for the stock memory that will get pulled out?
Click to expand...

eBay or Craigslist are your best options. RAM prices have come down so much over the years that they aren't worth much. If you bought your RAM upgrade from OWC, they'd buy back the factory stuff back at one point but you don't get much for it. Only like $15 for the 2x 2GB.
 
Anyone know if the 2012 mac mini will run the 1.35v RAM at 1.35 volts?

I've seen plenty of ivy bridge mini-itx boards (intel included) running the memory at 1.5v even though it's specced for 1.35v. Needless heat and power consumption.
 
From another thread:


Westyfield2 said:
I just had a quick look online, and I reckon these are the fastest decent sized DDR3 SO-DIMMS:

1600MHz – 9-9-9-24 latency – Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9
1600MHz – 9-9-9 latency – Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) KHX1600C9S3P1K2/8G
1600MHz – 9-9-9 latency – Kingston 16GB (2x8GB) KHX16S9P1K2/16
1600MHz – 10-10-10-27 latency – Corsair 16GB (2x8GB) CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10
1866MHz – 10-10-10-27 latency – Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) CMSX8GX3M2A1866C10
1866MHz – 11-11-11 latency – Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) KHX1866C11S3P1K2/8G


However, one thing that could be a problem is if Apple’s designed the logic board to have the low voltage DDR3/L/-RS 1.35V RAM, rather than the standard 1.5V RAM. In 1.35V, I can only see the standard Crucial 1600MHz CL11 stuff.
Click to expand...
 
Am I able to run the previous gens ram, 1333mhz?

Bought an 8gb stick of ram for an old mini that ended up getting sold. Never got to test if it works and lost the receipt. Just needed to test it before putting it on eBay.
 
propower said:
A second person wants to know why the fright???

I bought the one just like it but CL=10 instead of 11
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231582
Click to expand...

I use gskill in mac minis time and time again. there were 2 gskills listed one for 69.99 and one for 79.99 the reviews for the 69.99 ram were bad the reviews for the 79.99 ram were good.

I also know that i will have all my 2012 minis with ssds this makes 16gb ram far less important. I am going with 2 sticks of 4gb ram that has faster latency and that I have used well at other times.
 
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