8500 vs 10600 RAM

[slash.dot.dash]

Hello I have seen some discussion regarding RAM but nothing really addresses specific performance.
I have a Mid 2011 Mac Mini Server that currently has 4GB of 10600 RAM. I use this as a media server. Play music and videos etc.
I recently found some old 2 x 8GB 8500 RAM. I think I kept this from a 2009 iMac I used to have.
Some posts have said runing the lower frequency will really only make 1-3% differnce in terms of performance but it depended on the apps. If I am running music & videos would I be better replacing the existing 4GB 10600 with 16GB 8500?
Cheers in advance.

 

[opeter]

8500 -> 1066 Mhz
10600 -> 1333 Mhz

In theory you wont see much difference in speed degradation, however you will see big improvement in opening apps.

The only thing, that can be affected is the weak Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, but it your case I think that won't matter.

Anyway... Try it out, what can happen? If the RAM speed will not be "good enough" for the Mac mini it will simply not boot. That is.

 

[ReanimationLP]

The bandwidth difference and loss of performance percentage is absolutely miniscule for most tasks you'll use the computer for; however the fact you're quadrupling the RAM and giving the OS lots of room to breathe will significantly improve the performance. Also recommend throwing in an SSD if it doesn't have one already.

 

[slash.dot.dash]

Great thanks. Also I did upgrade the boot disk to an SSD. The second bay (data) is still a HDD. I did notice a big difference with this. Mainly due to not crashing as much as it used to. The RAM is just something I came across in a clean up and I thought maybe I could use this in the Mac Mini...

 

[playtech1]

I think with RAM speed is you either find its sufficient to your task and essentially irrelevant, or it's the bottleneck and speed takes a noticeable hit. I don't think increased RAM speed makes the marginal difference in day to day speed and responsiveness in the same way that, say, a CPU or GPU upgrade might. Basically, give it a go!

 

[California]

Hello I have seen some discussion regarding RAM but nothing really addresses specific performance.
I have a Mid 2011 Mac Mini Server that currently has 4GB of 10600 RAM. I use this as a media server. Play music and videos etc.
I recently found some old 2 x 8GB 8500 RAM. I think I kept this from a 2009 iMac I used to have.
Some posts have said runing the lower frequency will really only make 1-3% differnce in terms of performance but it depended on the apps. If I am running music & videos would I be better replacing the existing 4GB 10600 with 16GB 8500?
Cheers in advance.

Wait, you put 8500 ram (or 1067 ram) in a 2011 Mac Mini that requires 10600 ram?

And it worked?

Wow.

Good to know.

 

[opeter]

Wait, you put 8500 ram (or 1067 ram) in a 2011 Mac Mini that requires 10600 ram?

It is the same as in case with Mac mini 2018, where Apple uses 2666 MHzh RAM, but you can/could put in 2133 or 2400 MHz RAM and it will still work without problems. The integrated graphics will have a bit less speed, but that is.

 

[California]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.