[Mac Mini late 2012][Issue] Memory frequency loaded at 1333MHz

[Andrea Filippini]

I have purchased from an US supplier a refurbished Apple Mac Mini late 2012 i7 2.3 GHz 4 GB RAM 1 TB HDD (Mojave fresh installation)
Everything is fine (also appearance is like new, no scratch) so I have decided to upgrade the memory and then the storage.
I have bought from Amazon the Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) PC3-12800 DDR3L-1600 SODIMM Memory for Mac CT2K8G3S160BM.
I have checked the compatibility from Crucial website for my Apple product and they confirm the 100% compatibility.
So well, I have removed the previous memory modules (2 x 2GB @1600MHz) and I have installed the new memory.
I have done the PRAM reset at the next restart and et voilà! 16 GB memory installed! But there was something wrong.
Machine runs more slowly through apps despite more memory and almost absent CPU load. So I have checked system information and here the issue. 16 GB memory loaded at 1333 MHz. How is it possible? Machine issue or Amazon has sent me a wrong item? The shipment from Amazon contains only two modules inside protection (no Crucial package).
I have attached some screenshot and some photos about new Crucial Memory and previous memory.

Thank you.

 

[opeter]

Your computer is slow because you are using an 5400 rpm standard hard drive (HDD). Replace it with an SATA SSD and you will see and feel the difference.

Oh, BTW: I used in the past an old 2011 Mac mini (that had standard 1333 MHz RAM) with 1066 MHz RAM and never had the feel it is slow. Of course as soon as I could, I replaced the HDD with an SSD. You wouldn't believe what difference it makes.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

Your computer is slow because you are using an 5400 rpm standard hard drive (HDD). Replace it with an SATA SSD and you will see and feel the difference.

Oh, BTW: I used in the past an old 2011 Mac mini (that had standard 1333 MHz RAM) with 1066 MHz RAM and never had the feel it is slow. Of course as soon as I could, I replaced the HDD with an SSD. You wouldn't believe what difference it makes.

Sure, I have to replace the storage with SSD but I don't know why the system recognizes 1333MHz instead 1600MHz for memory. Do you have any idea?

 

[opeter]

The XMP doesn't work normally on Mac computers and that means, that they can be very picky about RAMs.
The standard chips on RAM used in Macs are mostly from Hynix. But it doesn't really matter. What it does and I think this is the "problem" in your case is the RAM timings (not 100% sure, but it can be the case). Yes, Crucial writes it is CL11, but is seems, that your Mac is ignoring it.

For more information look at post 10 in this topic:

Why does my late 2012 27" iMac show 1333MHz ram when I've put in 1600MHz sticks?

The timings are different. You bought CL10 RAM, while the Apple installed RAM is CL11. The mobo will operate the RAM at the highest frequency that all RAM can use at the best latency of any RAM installed. So CL10 is selected, and Apple's RAM can support CL10 at 1333MHz but not 1600MHz, so down...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[opeter]

It can also happen, that whatever you do, this Crucial 16GB Kit CT2K8G3S160BM simply wont work @1600 MHz in you Mac mini.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

The XMP doesn't work normally on Mac computers and that means, that they can be very picky about RAMs.
The standard chips on RAM used in Macs are mostly from Hynix. But it doesn't really matter. What it does and I think this is the "problem" in your case is the RAM timings (not 100% sure, but it can be the case). Yes, Crucial writes it is CL11, but is seems, that your Mac is ignoring it.

For more information look at post 10 in this topic:

Why does my late 2012 27" iMac show 1333MHz ram when I've put in 1600MHz sticks?

The timings are different. You bought CL10 RAM, while the Apple installed RAM is CL11. The mobo will operate the RAM at the highest frequency that all RAM can use at the best latency of any RAM installed. So CL10 is selected, and Apple's RAM can support CL10 at 1333MHz but not 1600MHz, so down...

forums.macrumors.com

I will try to remove Crucial memory and to reinstall Elpida memory (in fact the 2x2 GB is recognized at 1600 MHz).
Maybe when I removed the memory the machine has set the frequency lower.

 

[uller6]

I have a late 2012 mini running 16 GB 1600 MHz RAM without issue. I suspect the RAM you purchased has sloppy timings so the mini can't run it at the full 1600 speed. Try another set of RAM.

 

[Boyd01]

FWIW, my 2012 Mini also shows 1600 Mhz. I bought it used from OWC about 6 years ago, don't know if it is the original RAM or an upgrade that they did. It has been a great machine, used it to edit audio/video for a number of years but now it's just a file server.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

I have a late 2012 mini running 16 GB 1600 MHz RAM without issue. I suspect the RAM you purchased has sloppy timings so the mini can't run it at the full 1600 speed. Try another set of RAM.

I have reinstalled the Crucial memory but even now the machine set at 1333MHz.
Before I have reinstalled the Elpida memory and the machine set at 1600MHz.
I will ask for a refund from Amazon.
Strange because I have bought from Amazon another type of Crucial memory for my iMac late 2009 and it works fine.
What brand do you recommend?

FWIW, my 2012 Mini also show 1600 Mhz. I bought it used from OWC about 6 years ago, don't know if it is the original RAM or an upgrade that they did. It has been a great machine, used it to edit audio/video for a number of years but now it's just a file server.

View attachment 1809900

Yeah it's a great machine. I don't know why OS set the Crucial memory at 1333MHz. Maybe is it a scam/refurbished memory?
What brand do you recommend?

 

[opeter]

The brand doesn't really matter. Just watch that the RAM has Hynix, Elpida or Samsung chips. Even Micron should work. I also have good experience with Timetec chips.

Other "exotics" can work, but at the same time these can be a lottery.

 

[for this]

My modules are standard DDR3L Kingston's Value RAM (KVR16LS11/8), work fine.
I think brand does not matter. Just make sure they're legit, not counterfeit or QC rejected sticks, by buying from the source you trust.

From the pics, your RAM modules don't show serial numbers. They should.

That said, one of my RAM sticks in my PPC Mac is counterfeit. It has been working fine for nearly twenty years now. But the bad thing is I got scammed by paying full price for it.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

The brand doesn't really matter. Just watch that the RAM has Hynix, Elpida or Samsung chips. Even Micron should work. I also have good experience with Timetec chips.

Other "exotics" can work, but at the same time these can be a lottery.

My modules are standard DDR3L Kingston's Value RAM (KVR16LS11/8), work fine.
I think brand does not matter. Just make sure they're legit, not counterfeit or QC rejected sticks, by buying from the source you trust.

From the pics, your RAM modules don't show serial numbers. They should.

That said, one of my RAM sticks in my PPC Mac is counterfeit. It has been working fine for nearly twenty years now. But the bad thing is I got scammed by paying full price for it.

I have found this https://www.amazon.it/Corsair-CMSA16GX3M2A1600C11-Memoria-Certified-SODIMM/dp/B009EH010E
Sold and sent by Amazon. (Crucial memory sold by third party supplier and sent by Amazon)
Is it reliable?

 

[for this]

I have found this https://www.amazon.it/Corsair-CMSA16GX3M2A1600C11-Memoria-Certified-SODIMM/dp/B009EH010E
Sold and sent by Amazon. (Crucial memory sold by third party supplier and sent by Amazon)
Is it reliable?

That looks like Corsair's official store, so should be OK. To be sure I would start from the manufacturer's web site. It will lead you to the exact item in a place you can buy in your country ( I assume you're in Italy).

For example: https://it.crucial.com/catalog/memory/ddr3. It seems some items here can be bought directly from Crucial. Some items are sold through Amazon and other places but they're authorized sellers, not generic links.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

That looks like Corsair's official store, so should be OK. To be sure I would start from the manufacturer's web site. It will lead you to the exact item in a place you can buy in your country ( I assume you're in Italy).

For example: https://it.crucial.com/catalog/memory/ddr3. It seems some items here can be bought directly from Crucial. Some items are sold through Amazon and other places but they're authorized sellers, not generic links.

Thank you.
I have noticed that Crucial via its website sells the same memory but the Mac version with the same specs is dramatically more expensive. Speculation or is there a legit reason?

 

[uller6]

I have reinstalled the Crucial memory but even now the machine set at 1333MHz.
Before I have reinstalled the Elpida memory and the machine set at 1600MHz.
I will ask for a refund from Amazon.
Strange because I have bought from Amazon another type of Crucial memory for my iMac late 2009 and it works fine.
What brand do you recommend?

Yeah it's a great machine. I don't know why OS set the Crucial memory at 1333MHz. Maybe is it a scam/refurbished memory?
What brand do you recommend?

I'm using Elpida memory, but I don't remember the timings and I'm not sure how to find these without opening up the machine and looking at the print on the side of the RAM sticks.

 

[for this]

Thank you.
I have noticed that Crucial via its website sells the same memory but the Mac version with the same specs is dramatically more expensive. Speculation or is there a legit reason?

You ask about CT102464BF160B vs CT8G3S160BM? Almost every RAM manufacturer have Mac specific modules sold at higher price. There have been debates about a brand's Mac specific module vs a generic module of the same brand for ages. I'm in the camp of using generic modules.

But Crucial clearly states that CT102464BF160B is not compatible with late 2012 Mini when I check compatibility at https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr3/ct102464bf160b.

So if the CT8G3S160BM is too expensive, I would buy other brands, from a legit seller. Corsair sells Mac memory and generic ones (ValueSelect) at the same price which is a good thing. Corsair's website leads me to https://www.amazon.it/dp/B009EH010E?tag=corsairde00-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1, probably the same seller as in your comment.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

You ask about CT102464BF160B vs CT8G3S160BM? Almost every RAM manufacturer have Mac specific modules sold at higher price. There have been debates about a brand's Mac specific module vs a generic module of the same brand for ages. I'm in the camp of using generic modules.

But Crucial clearly states that CT102464BF160B is not compatible with late 2012 Mini when I check compatibility at https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr3/ct102464bf160b.

So if the CT8G3S160BM is too expensive, I would buy other brands, from a legit seller. Corsair sells Mac memory and generic ones (ValueSelect) at the same price which is a good thing. Corsair's website leads me to https://www.amazon.it/dp/B009EH010E?tag=corsairde00-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1, probably the same seller as in your comment.

Yeah different Crucial serial number but basically the same specs so theoretically same compatibility.
About Corsair, yes it's the exact memory I have linked before.

 

[Kamolas]

I have that RAM from Crucial on my mini 2012 and it's working at 1600 Mhz.
Can you try to boot the mini with just one module to see how it works? And then power it off and switch to the other module?

You said the modules came with no package from Crucial. Does the other module have the exact same reference numbers on the label?

 

[Andrea Filippini]

I have that RAM from Crucial on my mini 2012 and it's working at 1600 Mhz.
Can you try to boot the mini with just one module to see how it works? And then power it off and switch to the other module?

You said the modules came with no package from Crucial. Does the other module have the exact same reference numbers on the label?

Yeah I have tried to boot the mini with just one module and the frequency is always 1333MHz. Same for power off and switch, also tried PRAM reset every time. Every Crucial module has the same reference number.
Sincerely I don't know how this is possible. I have read that sometimes users who ask refund switch the label on the memory and send back their old memory instead the new. Basically a scam.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

I have that RAM from Crucial on my mini 2012 and it's working at 1600 Mhz.
Can you try to boot the mini with just one module to see how it works? And then power it off and switch to the other module?

You said the modules came with no package from Crucial. Does the other module have the exact same reference numbers on the label?

I have sent back the product and I have already received the refund from Amazon. I have noticed different reference numbers (model number is fine) on the labels. I have attached the photo and underlined with orange the different reference numbers. I don't know if it can be significant.

 

[Kamolas]

Yeah I have tried to boot the mini with just one module and the frequency is always 1333MHz. Same for power off and switch, also tried PRAM reset every time. Every Crucial module has the same reference number.
Sincerely I don't know how this is possible. I have read that sometimes users who ask refund switch the label on the memory and send back their old memory instead the new. Basically a scam.

That's weird. I bought mine on Amazon France, but they were new.

I have sent back the product and I have already received the refund from Amazon. I have noticed different reference numbers (model number is fine) on the labels. I have attached the photo and underlined with orange the different reference numbers. I don't know if it can be significant.

It's the material number.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

That's weird. I bought mine on Amazon France, but they were new.


It's the material number.

At this point I will buy this memory https://www.amazon.it/Corsair-CMSA16GX3M2A1600C11-Memoria-Certified-SODIMM/dp/B009EH010E
Hope everything will be ok.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

Here we are.
I have bought the Corsair memory for Mac.
Here the link https://www.amazon.it/Corsair-CMSA16GX3M2A1600C11-Memoria-Certified-SODIMM/dp/B009EH010E
The packaging is perfect and the specs are the same required for Mac Mini late 2012 (the same of previous Crucial memory).
I have installed the memory but even this time Mac has started with the three beeps.
I have tried PRAM reset. Nothing. The three beeps remained.
I have tried two different brands (Crucial and Corsair) and Mac Mini doesn't recognize them. The memory specs are correct.
Is it possible that issue can be the Mac?
@opeter @uller6 @Boyd01 @for this @Kamolas

 

[opeter]

Yes, it can happen, that the problem related to your computer. Maybe the memory slot is dusty or in the worst case: damaged?

Do you still have the original RAM (2x2 GB)? Does it work with that?
Try to remove the new memory and install the old modules. Check if these work at 1600 MHz.

Also you can try to use a single module, just for testing purpose. Insert one single original 2 GB module or one (new) 8 GB module in the lower slot and try to turn on your computer to check, what it says. If it will start, of course.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

Yes, it can happen, that the problem related to your computer. Maybe the memory slot is dusty or in the worst case: damaged?

Do you still have the original RAM (2x2 GB)? Does it work with that?
Try to remove the new memory and install the old modules. Check if these work at 1600 MHz.

Also you can try to use a single module, just for testing purpose. Insert one single original 2 GB module or one (new) 8 GB module in the lower slot and try to turn on your computer to check, what it says. If it will start, of course.

I have reinstalled the original 2x2 GB memory and it works.
Corsair single module doesn't work (three beeps).
I have noticed a particular, maybe irrelevant: memory schedules (Crucial, Corsair) work at 1.35 V, Mac Mini slots work at 1.5 V (see the attachment).
Can be this the issue?