Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

RAM update experience

B

Bartjes

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 28, 2018
28
13
Paris France
Updating the RAM of the 2018 Mac Mini may not be that easy. I succeeded only after a third try.
First try : only 16 GB frome the 32 were recognized. I also lost a screw from the fan. I searched my room just to find out that it got stuck somewhere in the Mini enclosure.
Second try : One of the screws from the RAM enclosure felt into the Mini, from my screwdriver (i had a good night rest and took no alcool or any other drugs though). After resetting cautionally the RAM modules, the Mac Mini wouldn't boot up.
Third try : lost the screw fixing the wifi cable. They're so small. It got stuck in the Mac Mini also. I found that the fan pin wasn't properly connected. One has to be very very carefull. I reinstalled the RAM modules and i was already thinking about making an appointment with the local Apple Store.

The story ends well : 32 RAM were recognized and still are. You may think i'm a awfully clumpsy. In fact I studied the whole procedure carefully, i bought the right tools and i took my time. I'm quite used to reparing electronical devices. But i saw that in the mac Mini things can go wrong easily. Happy New Year to all of you.
 
Bartjes said:
Updating the RAM of the 2018 Mac Mini may not be that easy. I succeeded only after a third try.
First try : only 16 GB frome the 32 were recognized. I also lost a screw from the fan. I searched my room just to find out that it got stuck somewhere in the Mini enclosure.
Second try : One of the screws from the RAM enclosure felt into the Mini, from my screwdriver (i had a good night rest and took no alcool or any other drugs though). After resetting cautionally the RAM modules, the Mac Mini wouldn't boot up.
Third try : lost the screw fixing the wifi cable. They're so small. It got stuck in the Mac Mini also. I found that the fan pin wasn't properly connected. One has to be very very carefull. I reinstalled the RAM modules and i was already thinking about making an appointment with the local Apple Store.

The story ends well : 32 RAM were recognized and still are. You may think i'm a awfully clumpsy. In fact I studied the whole procedure carefully, i bought the right tools and i took my time. I'm quite used to reparing electronical devices. But i saw that in the mac Mini things can go wrong easily. Happy New Year to all of you.
Click to expand...

It sounds like magnetic screwdrivers would solve all of your issues (minus the ram not being seated properly). For anyone reading who may be discouraged after reading this, yes there are a lot of screws and they can get lost inside the mini, but it’s super important that you use magnetic screwdrivers and you set aside containers for all of your screws. If you keep track of them, go slow, and make sure your new ram is fully seated (push down until it’s snug and tight) you’ll be golden!

Sorry to hear you had such a rough time! But glad you got it all working :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ElectronGuru and Originalbitman
I bought a screwdriver set from iFixit, magnetic tips help massively. I installed my RAM first try, no issues whatsoever, took me about 10 minutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Originalbitman
I just upgraded my 2018 I7 Mac Mini using (2x8GB) Crucial memory and OWC tools. I watched the OWC installation video a couple of times to familiarize myself with the procedure then did the job in about a half hour. I have fat fingers but managed not to lose any screws. I did find that sliding the motherboard out of the case took a little more effort than I was expecting. It also took me multiple tries to get the the Airport cable reconnected but I managed. Everything booted up and worked fine on the first attemp. Job done at 60% of the price Apple wanted to charge.
 
I just swapped the sticks today and everything worked after 1st try. I used the plastic iPhone SCREEN pry tool to pull the LED and fan clips out. took me maybe 30-40 min to do this carefully. Definitely need magnetic bits to make this easy.
 
Jamers99 said:
What memory brand and models did you guys install?
Click to expand...


I just got my Mac mini 2018 i5 and updated with 2x 8Gb Crucial memory and noticed ( i did not firmly locked the second memory bank) that it also worked with one bank filled. I now have got 16Gb working over two banks.just wodering, if I want to upgrad3 in near future could I just change one bank from 8 to 16Gb so that total willbe 24Gb ram or does this have disadvantages ?


Ps I got: Crucial CT2K8G4SFS8266 2x8GB, SODIMM, 2666Mhz, CL19


Stefan
 
svkaster said:
I just got my Mac mini 2018 i5 and updated with 2x 8Gb Crucial memory and noticed ( i did not firmly locked the second memory bank) that it also worked with one bank filled. I now have got 16Gb working over two banks.just wodering, if I want to upgrad3 in near future could I just change one bank from 8 to 16Gb so that total willbe 24Gb ram or does this have disadvantages ?


Ps I got: Crucial CT2K8G4SFS8266 2x8GB, SODIMM, 2666Mhz, CL19


Stefan
Click to expand...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2018-mini-8gb-vs-20gb-benchmark.2156474/
 
I screwed up the 2nd memory slot too and had to reopen it and reseat it... :D
running 32GB now.

first run 40min from assembled to disassembled.
2nd run to reseat the second ram 20min. It's not really that bad...

do use magnetic screwdriver, have a smallish spudger and a pair of tweezers ready.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Originalbitman and ElectronGuru
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back