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changing RAM on the new Mac Mini: have you done it ?

smbu2000 said:
My BTO mini finally arrived and after unboxing it I went right in and took it apart to install the Corsair Vengeance 32GB kit (16GB x 2) that I bought for the mini.

Taking it apart wasn't too difficult. The part that took me the longest was putting those rubber covers back on the memory clips, heh. Pretty simple to do after watching a sample video on how to go about it.

Not sure why my pics didn't come out that great, maybe because of my ROG mousepad/mat?

All spread out (case/bottom plate was off to the side):
lO1DPkZ.jpg

Up close with the new RAM installed:
b5p34Bw.jpg


After I booted up and went into macOS, the 32GB was properly showing at 2667Mhz. No problems so far. I went for the i7/8GB/512GB/10 gigabit ethernet mini (now at 32GB).
Click to expand...

Nice pics, I'm still thinking to get the same ram (Corsair Vengeance 32GB) as yours! do you have any issue till now? - I wish to get now 32GB and add next time another 32GB to make it total 64GB ram.

The apple/corsair's ram they look quite similar apart from the large stickers - are they under the same manufacturing?
 
MacWorld78 said:
Nice pics, I'm still thinking to get the same ram (Corsair Vengeance 32GB) as yours! do you have any issue till now? - I wish to get now 32GB and add next time another 32GB to make it total 64GB ram.

The apple/corsair's ram they look quite similar apart from the large stickers - are they under the same manufacturing?
Click to expand...
The kit that I'm using is a 32GB kit as in 16GB x 2 sticks. If you were to purchase it and then later wanted to upgrade to 64GB, then you would have to purchase a whole new kit 32GB x 2 as there are only 2 RAM slots on the Mac Mini.

As for how it's working, well I've had no problems so far. I pretty much have had it on since I made it my main system. Runs great and only restart when I want to use Win10 for something.
 
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MacWorld78 said:
Nice pics, I'm still thinking to get the same ram (Corsair Vengeance 32GB) as yours! do you have any issue till now? - I wish to get now 32GB and add next time another 32GB to make it total 64GB ram.

The apple/corsair's ram they look quite similar apart from the large stickers - are they under the same manufacturing?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how much time you expect to let pass between both RAM upgrades, but you probably want to make sure to use 2 DIMMs in order to benefit from dual channel bandwidth. Here's a short discussion dealing with the topic: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-3310477/ddr4-single-channel-dual-channel.html

And here's an in-depth report with benchmarks: https://beebom.com/single-channel-vs-dual-channel-memory/

It's furthermore recommended to use two identical DIMMs aka a single Kit to make sure that they use the same timing.

It'll probably work regardless, but I'd recommend to do the upgrade once and do it right. Alternatively you could get a 32 GB (2x 16 GB) Kit now and if you really need 64 GB later get another kit and sell the old one. But don't mix and match.
 
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smbu2000 said:
The kit that I'm using is a 32GB kit as in 16GB x 2 sticks. If you were to purchase it and then later wanted to upgrade to 64GB, then you would have to purchase a whole new kit 32GB x 2 as there are only 2 RAM slots on the Mac Mini.

As for how it's working, well I've had no problems so far. I pretty much have had it on since I made it my main system. Runs great and only restart when I want to use Win10 for something.
Click to expand...

That's great to know.
[doublepost=1543862088][/doublepost]
thirdsun said:
I'm not sure how much time you expect to let pass between both RAM upgrades, but you probably want to make sure to use 2 DIMMs in order to benefit from dual channel bandwidth. Here's a short discussion dealing with the topic: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-3310477/ddr4-single-channel-dual-channel.html

And here's an in-depth report with benchmarks: https://beebom.com/single-channel-vs-dual-channel-memory/

It's furthermore recommended to use two identical DIMMs aka a single Kit to make sure that they use the same timing.

It'll probably work regardless, but I'd recommend to do the upgrade once and do it right. Alternatively you could get a 32 GB (2x 16 GB) Kit now and if you really need 64 GB later get another kit and sell the old one. But don't mix and match.
Click to expand...

Thank you for a good advice - that's something I didn't know. Will get 2x16GB for now (32GB).
 
I've already seen 2 reports here from folks who thought they could do the job, and then opened it up, and.... broke something during the upgrade.

For 16gb, I think I'll just order it from Apple... ;)
 
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Fishrrman said:
I've already seen 2 reports here from folks who thought they could do the job, and then opened it up, and.... broke something during the upgrade.

For 16gb, I think I'll just order it from Apple... ;)
Click to expand...

I wonder what did they break? got any links or pics?
 
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Upgraded mine with 2x 16GB Crucial RAM.

The trickiest part in the opening phase was disconnecting the small LED indicator connector. Mostly because the tutorials are too vague. You must lift up the connector vertically, not pull out horizontally, use flat tweezers, and do it gently.

The trickiest part in the closing phase was plugging the fan connector back in because I had forgotten how I had removed it. Took me 15 minutes to figure out that it just had to be clipped in vertically instead of pushing in horizontally.

Second time it's much easier to do. I know this, because just when almost finished and congratulating myself for a job well done that bloody tiny antenna screw slipped from the TR6 Torx driver, rolled somewhere under the motherboard and got stuck...
 
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I did upgrade straight away when received my mini and I happened to be the first one on these forums to do so without any guide etc. It was super easy and lots of fun :)
 
Fishrrman said:
I've already seen 2 reports here from folks who thought they could do the job, and then opened it up, and.... broke something during the upgrade.

For 16gb, I think I'll just order it from Apple... ;)
Click to expand...

You're either capable or you're not. Its really not that hard, especially if you have the right tools. If you've never done something like this, you probably shouldn't start on an $800+ mac.

The iFixit guide really is stellar though, perfectly easy to follow.
 
Juggar said:
You're either capable or you're not. Its really not that hard, especially if you have the right tools. If you've never done something like this, you probably shouldn't start on an $800+ mac.

The iFixit guide really is stellar though, perfectly easy to follow.
Click to expand...

I've changed the hard drives in a 2012 model before, so I'm no stranger of completely taking apart a mac mini, but for the $50 premium, saved me the hassle at 16gb. I have applecare+, so I don't want the hassle of swapping the OEM ram yet again any time there is an issue with the computer. I don't fully trust this model yet with the thermals long term.

Now, if I was going for 32gb or 64gb, I probably would have done it myself...
 
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Just out of curiosity, once you have upgraded the RAM from 8GB to 16/64GB. Do I have to put it back original 8GB ram if I need to take a Mac Mini to the Apple store for repair or another issue?

I heard that upgrading the ram will not avoid your warranty as long you didn't damage any of the components?
 
It won't void warranty, but they won't service your machine while the third party ram is in there. So you have to keep your original OEM RAM somewhere safe just in case you need to send the mini for servicing.
 
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Cheapassmac said:
It won't void warranty, but they won't service your machine while the third party ram is in there. So you have to keep your original OEM RAM somewhere safe just in case you need to send the mini for servicing.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
Definitely change your own ram because it was pretty easy..... people shouldn't be afraid to touch their computer. The fixit guide is great. I upgraded with generic 32GB upgrade and I also attached an EGPU with Razer Core X + Vega 64. Now the computer flies
 

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Jorbanead said:
Just got my mini today! I upgraded to 32gb using crucial 2x16 ram and system is reporting: 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4.

As others have said, the process is fairly straightforward. It took longer to migrate my apps over from my MBP than to switch the ram. For the record, I did setup my Mac first before swapping the ram out. Just wanted to double check it worked before I messed with it.

Two things to note about my experience: The two T10 screws that hold the motherboard down were extremely tight. I thought I was going to break it. I also had a really tough time getting the motherboard out after everything was unscrewed. I actually cut my finger a tiny bit! However, everything worked out and other than those two things, it was pretty easy and quick!

Edit: Man this thing is beautiful! First space grey Apple product.
Click to expand...


Hi I have the similar problem as you described. It's quit difficult to unscrew two T10 from the motherboard, but after I replaced the memory and put all others back, I cannot screw these two t10 back on motherboard tightly again.

These two t10 are extremely loose, no matter how many times I screwed it....Am I broken that holes....?
 
Reading this in anticipation.

Just ordered an i7 Mac Mini that is on its way early next week. Got 64GB Crucial kit on my desk here waiting along with the iFixit toolkit.

The RAM & iFixit kit came in at £350 v Apple upgrade at purchase of £1000, so definitely worth trying myself!

Looking forward to the Mini coming to upgrade my 2014 15" MacBook Pro.
 
I've upgraded the RAM and hard drives in previous Mac minis (2011, 2012 and installed an SSD in a 2014) so had no real worries doing this. Hell, I've even completely disassembled a 2013 trashcan Mac Pro in order to upgrade the processor.

For the first time, however, I broke something almost immediately on the 2018 Mac mini. At the very beginning, where you have to disconnect the Airport antenna, I was as gentle as possible lifting up the connector but the whole thing broke straight off the main board – socket and all! The thing is only held on by the tiniest little adhesive pad. To say I was agitated was an understatement.

The rest of it went relatively smoothly (upgraded from 8 GB to 32 GB). When I reassembled everything, I placed the antenna socket back on the minuscule little pin sticking up from the main board, screwed it down and hoped for the best. Luckily, it all still works but for a while there I thought I was going to have to use Ethernet or an external adapter.

Maybe it's just me, but these current minis seem to be a little more delicate than previous models (and they weren't exactly full of robust cables, either). A warning – you absolutely MUST use magnetic tools for this as some of the screws are tiny and prone to falling into the mini's innards, especially during reassembly. You also need to make sure you have all of the required Torx heads etc. If you don't have magnetised tools, use a tiny piece of Blu-Tack/Plasti-Tac on the end of the head when lowering screws into the mini.
 
I did about 500 mini upgrades 2006 to 2012models. The 2010 first aluminum model was filled with some very delicate wires. It was the last mini to have the dvd slot.


So the crucial ram has a cl of 19 and corsair ram has a cl of 18

Amazon.com: B01BGZEVHU

Amazon.com: B01BGZEVHU
www.amazon.com


So the crucial ram is the same as apples? I see the vengeance ram was used by a few.



it rates at cl18 vs cl19 for the crucial

So does it work well or should I get the crucial ram
 
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philipma1957 said:
I did about 500 mini upgrades 2006 to 2012models. The 2010 first aluminum model was filled with some very delicate wires. It was the last mini to have the dvd slot.


So the crucial ram has a cl of 19 and corsair ram has a cl of 18

Amazon.com: B01BGZEVHU

Amazon.com: B01BGZEVHU
www.amazon.com


So the crucial ram is the same as apples? I see the vengeance ram was used by a few.



it rates at cl18 vs cl19 for the crucial

So does it work well or should I get the crucial ram
Click to expand...

OWC is having a sale on ($20 off - $120 32gb) on the Mac Mini 2018 memory kit directly from their website.
eshop.macsales.com

32GB Memory Upgrade for 2019-2020 iMac and 2018 Mac mini

Upgrade your 2019-2020 iMac or 2018 Mac mini to 32GB of RAM and save money by trading in the original memory. Backed by a lifetime OWC limited warranty.
eshop.macsales.com eshop.macsales.com

I’m not seeing any specs about the CL though.
 
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