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Is RAM upgradeable in the Mac Mini?
- Thread starter bumfluff
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Thanks.
I actually have a 16gb 2400mhz kit from another laptop so was hoping to save some bucks.
While true in theory, this is not always true in practice. This is a common concern among car enthusiasts who tune their cars. While it is true that the manufacturer cannot void the warranty (and they never do), they almost always deny the claim on the basis that the user caused the issue. What happens next is that the owner is forced to jump through several hoops to appeal the decision, which usually takes a long period of time and is not guaranteed to overturn the manufacturer's decision.
Now with Apple and a computer, it is unlikely that you would run into an issue. I doubt you will have an issue with the computer failing, and Apple probably wouldn't know that the case was opened. However, I would wonder what Apple would say if they knew that the case has been opened. I suspect they would deny the claim. And then it would be up to the user to go through the headache of getting that taken care of, and while they may ultimately prevail, they would spend a lot of time and energy to make it happen.
Best rule of thumb: If you modify something, assume that the warranty is gone. In other words, I wouldn't modify something that I wasn't confident would not fail on me, and if it did, I wouldn't be able to easily replace myself.
All this to say, I wouldn't advise someone to not install the RAM in a Mac mini, but I would make sure they knew that there was a chance that future warranty claims could be in jeopardy.
Since the RAM is replaceable, the solution is simple: Don't throw the original away. If a warranty issue is suspected, reinstall the original RAM.
The i3 config uses 2400mhz ram so you might be ok. Would not hurt to try if you already have it.
No, Apple specced DDR4-2666 as the minimum and you can go faster, but the EFI will be locked against using slower DRAM and should fault on POST (black screen and/or a tone, IIRC).
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The Core i3 uses DDR4-2666, just like the i5 and i7, at least here in the USA. Are you seeing this in a different country than the United States?
[doublepost=1541726185][/doublepost]
I always kept the factory DRAM until AppleCare ran out, just in case...besides you cannot get much in trade-in value anyways, so why consummate one’s self by getting rid of it...but you would be surprised.
Was referencing geekbench scores for the i3 that reported 2400mhz Ram but it seems that it is now reporting 2667mhz. Glitch in geekbench reporting?
https://ark.intel.com/products/126688/Intel-Core-i3-8100-Processor-6M-Cache-3-60-GHz-
Apparently this i3 can use DDR4 2400.
Apparently this i3 can use DDR4 2400.
Processor can support no doubt but its possible mac mini bios will not accept. Again does not hurt to try if someone has 2400mhz in hand.
Personally I’d just buy the proper RAM instead of trying to cheap out.
Hmm...possibility, I guess, unless someone moved and older version over with Migration Assistant and didn’t update GB before they ran it. Who knows. I doublechecked just to make sure because I did not think Apple would spec different DRAM for the Core i3.
Not disagreeing but 2400mhz is not that much different then 2666mhz (with intel that is, AMD Ryzen would be a different story). Sodimm 2400mhz seems to be a bit more prevalent then 2666mhz (at least on amazon) and again, one poster stated they already had a 2400mhz ram kit from a previous machine so it would very much make sense in that case to try.
It's not at all clear that the processor used in the i3 base version is indeed this i3-8100; it may be a "i3-8100B" variant not listed at ark.intel.com. It's easy to check the memory speed if you have the computer in front of you in the "About This Mac" popup from the Apple menu.
Also, it seems that the i3-8x00 quad processors all support ECC memory. It would be interesting to know if the i3 in the new Mac mini also supports ECC SO-DIMMs.
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Damn for 64 GB apple charges 1 680 euro, amazon 499
Is this the correct ram?
https://www.amazon.de/Corsair-CMSX6...d=1541731283&sr=8-1&keywords=sodimm+ddr4+64gb
Is this the correct ram?
https://www.amazon.de/Corsair-CMSX6...d=1541731283&sr=8-1&keywords=sodimm+ddr4+64gb
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As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
That's why I went with Crucial 32GB (16GBx2) for about $276. Not as much memory as I wanted, but better value than the 32GBx2 that apparently next to nobody even has in stock yet. I decided I'm not paying over a thousand smackaroos for 64GB RAM. Hopefully the price will drop next year.
I didn't realise the basic problem, if one is doing orchestral work, or something else that can easily use 64GB of RAM, until your post yesterday; namely, that the Mac mini has only two slots, and the cost of 32GB RAM modules is crazy.
That was really interesting, not that having an interesting problem helps fix it
For people who need 64GB of RAM, or indeed 128GB, I can see that the fact that the mini has only two slots may in fact be a factor when deciding what computer to purchase. For the people using Logic for orchestral work, which as I'm sure you know is a lot of people, including in the professional world, this is surely a real issue.
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Having just 2 slots is more or less a traditionally accepted config for the mini, or PCs with this form factor as it is expected to use laptop components and space saving to achieve the compactness. This time though since the chipset Apple has chosen to put in is semi-desktop class, so they figured enabling the supposed 32+32GB option does offer flexibility for users, thus the decision to use SO-DIMMs. The fact that right at this moment, 32GB modules are so pricy to the point of having extremely low cost-effectiveness is only going to be temporary. Memory these days don't drop price as they used to but I am sure with the lifespan that mini buyers are expecting their purchase will last, at some point the 32 modules will drop to 16GB price or less.I didn't realise the basic problem, if one is doing orchestral work, or something else that can easily use 64GB of RAM, until your post yesterday; namely, that the Mac mini has only two slots, and the cost of 32GB RAM modules is crazy.
That was really interesting, not that having an interesting problem helps fix it
For people who need 64GB of RAM, or indeed 128GB, I can see that the fact that the mini has only two slots may in fact be a factor in what computer to purchase. For all the people using Logic for orchestral work, this is surely a real issue.
Practically speaking, if someone really need 64GB of RAM and is budget aware, perhaps a better choice is to get a 27" iMac now.
Four slots would have been nice, but two slots is more in keeping with the laptop-derived history of Mini parts. That RAM is pretty fast too. I waited for this Mini in order to to avoid having to get an iMac. Suddenly I'm seeing the iMacs as more of the "value-oriented" product that I originally thought the Mini to be. I have a keyboard, trackpad, and display so I thought that getting the Mini would spare me from buying something unnecessary. Now I see that Mini buyers are still paying as much, but just getting something else instead: form factor and flexibility. But we are paying for it.I didn't realise the basic problem, if one is doing orchestral work, or something else that can easily use 64GB of RAM, until your post yesterday; namely, that the Mac mini has only two slots, and the cost of 32GB RAM modules is crazy.
That was really interesting, not that having an interesting problem helps fix it
For people who need 64GB of RAM, or indeed 128GB, I can see that the fact that the mini has only two slots may in fact be a factor in what computer to purchase. For the people using Logic for orchestral work, which as I'm sure you know is a lot of people, this is surely a real issue.
I purchased the i7 6 core variant with 8GB ram and 1TB SSD then I ordered
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H9K5L5L/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
After watching the videos on YouTube, it took me 15 minutes and the ram works perfectly no issues
Oh yeah I had to use a T4 to remove the memory cage also
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H9K5L5L/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
After watching the videos on YouTube, it took me 15 minutes and the ram works perfectly no issues
Oh yeah I had to use a T4 to remove the memory cage also
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Dammit. You're making me lean more toward the 1TB SSD. Stop it!
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The 1TB is definitely priced only for those who need it. Unlike a laptop, on a desktop especially one with 4 TB3 ports, the options of adding storage are just so wide and accessible, including very fast ones. I would only consider 1TB or even 2TB if there is an absolute need of having a single logical volume of fast storage for the boot partition.
This really comes down to what you decide your computer is for.
I decided some years ago that it is a workspace for current work and that everything else should be on external drives. One result is that I deliberately limit the size of my flash drive, because I think that there is a real tendency, a least for me, to use whatever is there. I call it "flash drive creep"
Other people decide that their computer is for everything except data that they want to archive. I think that this is a more common, and indeed more natural, approach, and that if you want to deviate from it, it takes discipline.
Either way, there's no right or wrong.