Simple graphics questions......

[Lordendo]

So I've got a 2018 Mac mini i5 with 8Gb RAM and the Intel UHD 630 1536MB graphics card. Hardwired, 600Mb/s internet.

I'm using this as a media server to my 4K TV. So far so good. It streams movies and shows very well.

What I have noticed was watching NHL that it's got a bit of jumpy laggy visual. I haven't tried multiple streaming services yet, could just be the feed I guess.

I'm wondering if you guys could chime in on streaming though, particularly sports. I've struggled to find any info out there that isn't directly related to gaming.

I'm curious if it's advisable to upgrade RAM and / or add an external GPU.

 

[weaztek]

I'm curious if it's advisable to upgrade RAM and / or add an external GPU.

I'd start with upgrading RAM with 2x 16GB chips. Maybe a local repair store can install for you. Or you can do it yourself but it's somewhat risky.

If that doesn't clear up the glitching, an eGPU works great for many of us. I successfully run a Sonnet puck with an RX 570 card in it.

 

[Boyd01]

The 1.5 gb in the UHD 630 spec is allocated from your 8 gb total RAM which doesn't leave much room for anything else. Here's a long thread about people having problems with 4k monitors (although some of this is related to using scaled resolutions).

Officially giving up on the Mac Mini 2018 + 4K monitor dream

I'm getting the i5 Mac Mini and will probably stay at 8 gigs of RAM for a while. I buying this computer as a desktop replacement for media consumption and word processing for the next 6-8 years. I was dreaming of getting something like the LG 27UK850 4K monitor and scale it at 1440p so that...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Fishrrman]

RE Boyd's post above:
That's why with the 2018/20 Mini I recommend 16gb of RAM as "the minimum".
If you think 16 is "all you'll need", just get it pre-installed from the factory.

That's what I did and NO regrets about spending the extra $$$ to do so. I bought Apple-refurbished so the upcharge was about $160 instead of $200...

 

[CubeHacker]

So I've got a 2018 Mac mini i5 with 8Gb RAM and the Intel UHD 630 1536MB graphics card. Hardwired, 600Mb/s internet.

I'm using this as a media server to my 4K TV. So far so good. It streams movies and shows very well.

What I have noticed was watching NHL that it's got a bit of jumpy laggy visual. I haven't tried multiple streaming services yet, could just be the feed I guess.

I'm wondering if you guys could chime in on streaming though, particularly sports. I've struggled to find any info out there that isn't directly related to gaming.

I'm curious if it's advisable to upgrade RAM and / or add an external GPU.

Best to rule out if its your feed first before upgrading anything. Your mini should have enough CPU grunt to stream everything you've described. Check your CPU usage to see how much is used while watching your sports channels.

 

[Lordendo]

Lots of great advice here, thanks everyone. I've watched a few movies with no issue, only noticed while watching hockey. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and watch a game that doesn't included the Canucks now.....

 

[Boyd01]

The graphics issues with the 8gb model may be related to CPU throttling due to heat from the SSD if there's a lot of swapping. Have you noticed if the fan runs on high when you have these problems?