Dumb RAM question

[famous600]

I know currently my mini is using 4gb 12600 1600 MHz ddr3. If I found a deal on 8gb 10600 1333mhz would I notice any difference in speed? Will it function properly? Thanks!

 

[paulrbeers]

I know currently my mini is using 4gb 12600 1600 MHz ddr3. If I found a deal on 8gb 10600 1333mhz would I notice any difference in speed? Will it function properly? Thanks!

Probably not and yes.

The speed difference is negligible in day to day operations. You might notice a few percentage point drop in speed when doing intense things (ie transcoding video), but even that may not be true. Fact is memory speeds affect the system very little. And ivy bridge processors can use either 1600 or 1333mhz memory so you are fine.

Edit: I ran 1333mhz ram for quite some time before upgrading (only because I moved my 1333mhz to my wife's 2011 MBP).

 

[famous600]

Probably not and yes.

The speed difference is negligible in day to day operations. You might notice a few percentage point drop in speed when doing intense things (ie transcoding video), but even that may not be true. Fact is memory speeds affect the system very little. And ivy bridge processors can use either 1600 or 1333mhz memory so you are fine.

Edit: I ran 1333mhz ram for quite some time before upgrading (only because I moved my 1333mhz to my wife's 2011 MBP).

Next question. Could I put the 1600 MHz or 1333 MHz in a 2013 27" imac? I see that is running 12800. Would it be ok to keep the 8gb of 12800 and fill the other two slots with 8gb 10600 1333 MHz or the 4gb 12600 1600mhz from the mini?

 

[paulrbeers]

Next question. Could I put the 1600 MHz or 1333 MHz in a 2013 27" imac? I see that is running 12800. Would it be ok to keep the 8gb of 12800 and fill the other two slots with 8gb 10600 1333 MHz or the 4gb 12600 1600mhz from the mini?

You can do either. If you put 1333 in with 1600 the system will slow all RAM down to 1333. If you don't need 16, is just reuse the 4 from the mini and go to 12. My .02 worth.

 

[drsox]

Probably not and yes.

The speed difference is negligible in day to day operations. You might notice a few percentage point drop in speed when doing intense things (ie transcoding video), but even that may not be true. Fact is memory speeds affect the system very little. And ivy bridge processors can use either 1600 or 1333mhz memory so you are fine.

Edit: I ran 1333mhz ram for quite some time before upgrading (only because I moved my 1333mhz to my wife's 2011 MBP).

Different question, what in your view is the better upgrade to make - faster RAM or increase the RAM from 4GB to 8/16GB ? Or neither ? This Mini already has a 256GB Evo installed.

 

[paulrbeers]

Different question, what in your view is the better upgrade to make - faster RAM or increase the RAM from 4GB to 8/16GB ? Or neither ? This Mini already has a 256GB Evo installed.

I believe that OSX runs best on 8GB even with an SSD installed. I got rid of my 2011 MBA for a 2013 MBA mostly because of the lack of RAM. An SSD will reduce the impact of a lack of RAM, but in my opinion it doesn't replace the need for adequate RAM. I'd recommend 8GB of either 1333mhz or 1600mhz (neither is going to be noticable, but if you can get 1600mhz for only a little more you might as well) or if you can swing it go for 16GB (although probably overkill to be honest for most).

 

[famous600]

Ya 16 in my first mini was overkill. I'm gonna bump that to 8 and the 2013 27" imac to 16gb

 

[drsox]

I believe that OSX runs best on 8GB even with an SSD installed. I got rid of my 2011 MBA for a 2013 MBA mostly because of the lack of RAM. An SSD will reduce the impact of a lack of RAM, but in my opinion it doesn't replace the need for adequate RAM. I'd recommend 8GB of either 1333mhz or 1600mhz (neither is going to be noticable, but if you can get 1600mhz for only a little more you might as well) or if you can swing it go for 16GB (although probably overkill to be honest for most).

Cheers. I'll hit the Computer Store For Sale listings.