How to increase the performance of my late 2012 Mac Mini?

[iMas70]

My late 2012 Mac Mini needs a performance boost. It has a 2.3 GHz i7 processor, 16 GB RAM and 1TB hard drive. The drive has 227 GB left on it. I see the wheel spinning a lot more than I want to. Actually, I never want to see it spinning! I've set it up for my kids to use as their first Apple computer so it's no longer my primary. Even sitting here typing this message. I'm not that fast but I had to wait for a few words to finish being spelled after I typed them. What do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Thessman]

My late 2012 Mac Mini needs a performance boost. It has a 2.3 GHz i7 processor, 16 GB RAM and 1TB hard drive. The drive has 227 GB left on it. I see the wheel spinning a lot more than I want to. Actually, I never want to see it spinning! I've set it up for my kids to use as their first Apple computer so it's no longer my primary. Even sitting here typing this message. I'm not that fast but I had to wait for a few words to finish being spelled after I typed them. What do you recommend?

Thanks!

One thing: SSD.
The mechanical disk drive is terribly slow, so you should change it, get an SSD.

 

[kohlson]

I suspect it's a 5400 rpm drive, which has terribly slow access times. Switching to a 500GB SSD will make a huge difference. You can pop the 1TB drive into an inexpensive external enclosure.

One thing to check: this drive is old (5 years). Have you run something like Disk Utility or a SMART utility on it? That could explain the increasing beachball activity.

 

[Boyd01]

That should be a very fast system, it has a quad core CPU - I have the next model up with the 2.6ghz i use it exclusively for video editing. The easiest way to speed it up is to move the system to an external USB 3.0 SSD. I'm using a 1TB Samsung T3 but there are many other choices. Just use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a clone of your internal drive to the external SSD, then select it under startup disk in System Preferences and reboot.

Quick and no need to open up your Mini. Your hard drive would have had a write speed of about 100MB/sec when it was new. A good external SSD will be about 400MB/sec - four times faster. It is just a bit slower than an internal SSD (I get 450MB/sec with my original Apple internal SSD).

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

The internal platter-based hard drive is what's slowing you down.

If you follow Boyd's advice in the post above this one, you'll be golden.
The SSD will SOLVE "the speed problems".

I've been booting and running my own 2012 i7 Mini since January of 2013 using an SSD in an external USB3 dock. Runs as good today as the first day I switched it on!

 

[fricotin]

OP:

The internal platter-based hard drive is what's slowing you down.

If you follow Boyd's advice in the post above this one, you'll be golden.
The SSD will SOLVE "the speed problems".

I've been booting and running my own 2012 i7 Mini since January of 2013 using an SSD in an external USB3 dock. Runs as good today as the first day I switched it on!

Mine has a 1T fusion drive and is plenty fast as well.

 

[techwarrior]

Good advice above. SSD is the key to improving your performance.

A few approaches:

1. Tear the Mini apart and replace the HDD with a 1 TB SSD (costly, doesn't solve the capacity issue you are nearing).
2. Same, but put a 128\256\512 GB SSD in and get a data doubler kit to keep your 1TB HDD and create a Fusion Drive of 1TB +128\256\512GB.
3. SSHD. Seagate Firecuda for instance is a 2.5" 2TB hybrid drive, not as fast as SSD, but considerably faster than HDD.
4. External boot drive on USB3. Here too, SSD will be fastest, SSHD is also going to be better than current HDD. If RAID is desired, OWC has USB3 Drive Enclosures with slots for 2-4 HDD\SSD\SSHD drives that can mirror (RAID1), or RAID5 (3+ drives).

If replacing internal drive, choices are to clone the current drive to the new drive before replacing (use Carbon Copy Cloner or similar), or install fresh OS to the new drive(s) and restore from Time Machine (effective but slower). In both cases, prepare the new drive while externally connected (USB adapter comes with many kits), then do the physical replacement. If you go route 1 or 3, you can keep the 1TB drive in a USB adapter for additional external storage.

If you go the Fusion route, it will destroy all data on the existing disk, so make sure you have a good TM backup.

Same for external drive, clone to the new drive, or install fresh and restore TM to the new drive. In this case, after preparing the external SSD\SSHD, reformat the internal drive and use it for extra storage.

 

[iMas70]

Thanks for the replies. I've done extensive work to cars but haven't taken computers apart. I just checked out a video on how to replace the hard drive in one of these. A lot of small parts. Seems like you have to take it slow and have patience so nothing ends up broken.

I think the external SSD would be the easiest way to go (less stress). I just looked up the 1TB Samsung T3. It's been replaced by the T5. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217670-REG/samsung_mu_pt1t0b_am_1tb_t3_portable_solid.html). Everyone is suggesting an SSD so it seems like it's worth the $400.00 to do it.

 

[bingeciren]

Thanks for the replies. I've done extensive work to cars but haven't taken computers apart. I just checked out a video on how to replace the hard drive in one of these. A lot of small parts. Seems like you have to take it slow and have patience so nothing ends up broken.

I think the external SSD would be the easiest way to go (less stress). I just looked up the 1TB Samsung T3. It's been replaced by the T5. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217670-REG/samsung_mu_pt1t0b_am_1tb_t3_portable_solid.html). Everyone is suggesting an SSD so it seems like it's worth the $400.00 to do it.

I have a couple of 2012 Minis. I’ve been in and out of them so many times that now I can change a hard drive blindfolded in 5 minutes. Both of my Minis are Server models that came with two drives. So, I simply replaced my system drive with SSD and used the other spinning drive for storing documents, pictures, downloads and music.

Changing your existing drive with SSD is a simple task. Just remove the bottom cover, unscrew three screws and remove the fan. You can gently pull and detach the fan wires from the board. Remove the two screws on the perforated metal cover of the WiFi, wiggle and lift it and place it towards the side but do not detach the WiFi cable attached. Remove the triangular plastic fan shroud (only a single screw holding it in place). Gently pry the ribbon cable of the drive away from the main board. The drive is ready to come out. Gently wiggle and pull the hard drive towards the center. It should come out easily.

After the drive is out, remove the drive cable and the two mounting screws from the drive and attach it to the SSD. Re-assembly is in reverse order.

Google for iFixit and OWC for excellent pictures and videos for replacing a drive. Most of these instructions tell you to remove the memory to replace a drive but it is totally unnecessary. Leave the memory in place. Also take pictures while removing things. It helps a lot for putting things back correctly when you do it for the first time.

Once you gain confidence and feel a bit adventurous, you may consider buying a data doubler from OWC and add your HDD as a second drive for media storage.

 

[ziggy29]

Quick and no need to open up your Mini. Your hard drive would have had a write speed of about 100MB/sec when it was new. A good external SSD will be about 400MB/sec - four times faster. It is just a bit slower than an internal SSD (I get 450MB/sec with my original Apple internal SSD).

Exactly this. This is what I am doing, and pretty nearly my experience. The spinners in these machines are really slow. And with USB 3.0 there is very little throughput lost in using an external SSD as a boot disk. My experience with an external SSD is in the 420-430 MB/s range, which is fast enough to not be worth the hassle or risk of performing surgery on these things. When you see the difference you will never want to boot up a relatively modern OS with a spinner again.

Get an SSD large enough to host the OS and maybe a few other apps for which it might make a difference. The internal spinner can be used for data and other apps. If you really want it to "not spin", you can get a 1 TB SSD but that might be overkill. Most likely, 250 GB would be enough for the most critical things (OS for sure and maybe some apps) but you can go with 500 as well as a compromise between price and capacity (and for a little more breathing room for the future).

And in reality, given the specs you quoted an SSD is probably the only upgrade which will really make any difference.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Everyone is suggesting an SSD so it seems like it's worth the $400.00 to do it."

No.
You -don't- have to spend $400.

You could probably do just as well to get either a 512gb or even a 256gb USB3 SSD.

DON'T try to "put everything on it".
That's THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO.

Instead, put on it:
- The OS (of course)
- Your apps
- Your accounts, LESS the "large libraries" (such as "movies", "music", and "pictures".
- Leave a reasonably good amount of "unused space" (at least 10-15%) for the OS to work with "in the background".

Leave the big libraries on the internal platter-based HDD. The files there aren't accessed often (or all at once), and when they are, "speed" isn't the deciding factor.

The idea is to set up the "external boot SSD" to be "lean, clean, and mean".

 

[ziggy29]

TI think the external SSD would be the easiest way to go (less stress). I just looked up the 1TB Samsung T3. It's been replaced by the T5. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1217670-REG/samsung_mu_pt1t0b_am_1tb_t3_portable_solid.html). Everyone is suggesting an SSD so it seems like it's worth the $400.00 to do it.

IMO there's no doubt that on your system any money spent on performance needs to go to an SSD. You probably don't need to spend $400. Not all of your content needs to be on the SSD. The OS needs to be there. Some of your apps will need to be there, depending on their load time and how critical it is to their performance. But much of your other data and files will be fine on a spinner.

A 250 GB SSD can be had for $100 or less; a 500 GB model for maybe $175; a premium model may cost 10-20% more. You probably don't *need* all the content on an SSD.

 

[iMas70]

So, if I go with an external SSD, I just have to do a Time Machine backup, use Carbon Copy to clone my current HD then install it on the new drive after I plug it in? Are there any settings that I have to change after I do this?

I'm looking at the 250GB Samsung T5 external SSD for $127 or the 500GB version for $199. I think the 250GB will be enough.

• Superfast Read-Write speeds of up to 540 MB/s
• Top to bottom metal design that fits in the palm of your hand
• Optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption
• Includes USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables
• 3-year warranty

kohlson - Yes, I ran the Disk Utility tonight.

 

[bingeciren]

So, if I go with an external SSD, I just have to do a Time Machine backup, use Carbon Copy to clone my current HD then install it on the new drive after I plug it in? Are there any settings that I have to change after I do this?

I'm looking at the 250GB Samsung T5 external SSD for $127 or the 500GB version for $199. I think the 250GB will be enough.

• Superfast Read-Write speeds of up to 540 MB/s
• Top to bottom metal design that fits in the palm of your hand
• Optional password protection and AES 256-bit hardware encryption
• Includes USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables
• 3-year warranty

kohlson - Yes, I ran the Disk Utility tonight.

If you want to go with the external SSD route, I can recommend the Oyen Digital Shadow Mini 512 Gb USB3 drive for about $140 from Amazon. I have two of these drives for Carbon Copy Clone backups and I also use them to boot externally for testing purposes. While it is true that I see speeds like 350 - 400 MB/s over the USB3 interface, the internal SSD is still at least 50% faster.

 

[Boyd01]

So, if I go with an external SSD, I just have to do a Time Machine backup, use Carbon Copy to clone my current HD then install it on the new drive after I plug it in?

You can use Carbon Copy for everything, time machine is not required (although you may want to have a separate time machine backup for safety). The point here is that Carbon Copy will make a clone that is exactly like the original and can be booted. Time Machine cannot do that, you must go through a (painfully slow) restore process with it.

 

[iMas70]

There have been a couple of brands recommended here. Is there anything to look for when it comes to choosing a SSD?

 

[sublunar]

I am actually booting off an eSATA connected Samsung SSD from my 2012 which is connected to the Caldigit TS2 Thunderbolt 2 Dock which is plenty fast enough. I fitted a small 256Gb SSD internally to the Mini in the past but didn't bother to swap it out this time and it's no longer in use. It's there as a backup with an older OS if I need anything off it. For anyone who doesn't want to take their Mini apart this is a great solution although a USB booting drive could also work.

The Caldigit offers extra USB ports, an extra HDMI, extra ethernet, and effectively an external sound solution too. It's obviously more useful with a Macbook Pro but still good paired with a Mini.

It's almost ironic but could be an interesting solution to have a Caldigit TS3 USB-C dock provide the connectivity to add SATA3 devices using a suitable eSATA caddy hanging off a miniaturised 2017/2018 mini that exclusively went flash only for the boot drive leaving users to add external storage for themselves. I've already speculated that such a Mini would use 15w parts to segregate them away from the touch bar Macbook Pros so having an external solution to add more storage would be good.
[doublepost=1507640997][/doublepost]

There have been a couple of brands recommended here. Is there anything to look for when it comes to choosing a SSD?

Samsung EVO 850 is ageing but still good. There's deals around if you keep eyes open on other brands such as Sandisk.

 

[Fishrrman]

bing wrote:
"While it is true that I see speeds like 350 - 400 MB/s over the USB3 interface, the internal SSD is still at least 50% faster."

No, it's not.
Post speed tests to prove otherwise.

A USB3 SSD (in an enclosure that supports UASP) should yield at least 80-85% of the speed of a SATA SSD internally mounted.

"The max" that one will see from an external SSD is about 433mbps reads.

 

[Boyd01]

FWIW, this is the original internal Apple SM256e SSD on my 2012 i7 2.6ghz/16gb/256gb Mini.

and this is my Samsung T3 1tb USB3 SSD on the same machine.

So in my case, the internal drive has about 15% faster write speed and 19% faster read. Maybe this is a reason to spend the extra money on the Samsung? All I know is that it works very well for me. However I will say that it takes a bit longer (10 sec?) to do a cold boot from the external drive. And duplicating a large file (like I sometimes do with video) will definitely be faster on the internal SSD too.

I think there is little doubt that internal is better and faster, but I got this machine used and hope to keep it for a few years. Messing around inside just seems like an invitation to disaster.

 

[techwarrior]

Internal is faster and more reliable. If the external drive unmount for any reason (power glitch, cable disconnect) the OS crashes. With internal, less chances of a crash.

That said, it is far easier to add an external boot drive than to tear the mini apart and replace the drive. Not that it is too difficult, but you are right in that it does take some care to make sure you do it right and don't break something in the process. I have don't this successfully several times on various Mini and MBP models, but don't push yourself if not comfortable with it.

Splitting files between drives can create some issues down the road. It adds complexity to Time Machine backups, restores, etc. But, it is a useful way to get by in the interim with a smaller SSD.

 

[MAlexB]

FWIW, this is the original internal Apple SM256e SSD on my 2012 i7 2.6ghz/16gb/256gb Mini.

and this is my Samsung T3 1tb USB3 SSD on the same machine.

I've the very same Mac Mini, except its a 2.6 MHz i7, and the internal 1TB Samsung SSD 850 EVO is @ 484 (w) and 500 (r) MB/s on unencrypted APFS with Trim activated running 10.13.

 

[sublunar]

I think the SM256e was a rebadged Samsung 830 Pro if i recall. I would have been running on SATA 3 interface and obviously various generations of PCIe SSD exceed the speed limits of the SATA 3 interface. My 850EVO is on an eSATA enclosure which uses additional power taken from one of the USB ports plugged into a Caldigit TS2 dock. Yes it's powered separately from the Mac Mini it's plugged into and there's nominally an additional risk but it's not a bad fit - plus it's not affected by any additional heat from the Mini itself if it's exporting video from FCPX so I call that an advantage.

 

[bingeciren]

bing wrote:
"While it is true that I see speeds like 350 - 400 MB/s over the USB3 interface, the internal SSD is still at least 50% faster."

No, it's not.
Post speed tests to prove otherwise.

A USB3 SSD (in an enclosure that supports UASP) should yield at least 80-85% of the speed of a SATA SSD internally mounted.

"The max" that one will see from an external SSD is about 433mbps reads.

What do you mean No it’s not? Aren’t we saying the same thing? Internal is faster, usb is slower. Your mileage may vary.

 

[ziggy29]

While it is true that I see speeds like 350 - 400 MB/s over the USB3 interface, the internal SSD is still at least 50% faster.

Well, if you compare your low end (350 MB/s) to the theoretical rated max of most of these internal SSDs (around 520 MB/s), it *is* true that the latter is about 50% faster than the former. But these are not real-world.

My USB 3.0-mounted SSD (Samsung 850 EVO, 500 GB) gets 420-430 MB/s regularly. And in the real world you probably won't see even 500 MB/s with the same drive mounted internally despite being rated for 520-540, or something like that. My own anecdotal evidence suggests *maybe* a 10-15% penalty for booting externally through USB 3.0, and that might be a bit on the high side. And it's good enough that it's not worth tearing this thing down to replace the internal drive. If you need to squeeze every last megabyte of potential throughput out of these drives, you probably need a new machine anyway. And in reality, the difference between 400+ MB/s and around 100 MB/s is huge.

I'm no virgin to internal HDD-to-SSD swaps. I've done at least a half dozen of them without a hitch. But I've seen what is involved in this model, and I'm leaving well enough alone.

(For full disclosure, if it matters, my SSD is an internal model which is using a SATA to USB adapter to connect externally. If anything I think that would slow it down but I see no evidence of it.)

Now if you are looking at external drives that do not exploit UASP, you may be closer. But there is no excuse for buying one of those if you are on the market today.

 

[Bart Kela]

I have a 2010 Mac mini server (the one with two internal drive bays) and had the original drives swapped out by an Apple Certified service center because I didn't want to fiddle with the mini myself.

I used to build my own PCs twenty years ago, but these days, I'm happy to pay someone to do that type of work and remove the stress/pressure of me possibly breaking some (especially with the Mac mini).

There's a 128MB SSD boot drive plus a 1 TB spinner. Works great and both drives have the advantage of being connected internally to take advantage of the fastest interface connection, rather than relying on USB (which is relatively pokey USB 2.0 on my system) or FireWire 800.