Using a combination of memory in a Mac Mini

[Abdulhaq]

I have a mid 2011 Mac Mini with a graphic card which was always breaking down and now I have bought a 2011 2.3 GHz Mac Mini with 2 GB ram which seems to be working fine. In my older Mac Mini I have 16GB Ram and I have connected it to my 65" 4K TV Monitor. I suspect the movies and videos played back by my mac mini through its 2GB resolution display gives a better picture quality on the 4K monitor than watching YouTube etc. directly on the Monitor. I may be wrong and I am not sure. In any case I want to give my new mac mini more memory. Let me know which of the following combination is best:

1) 8GB Dimm in each of mac mini (in this case only one memory slot will be populated)
2) 2 GB + 8 GB = 10 GB combination on each mac mini (in this case both the memory slots will be populated)

The ram memory is of the same specifications in either machine but from different manufacturers. I do not want to harm my mac mini by using an incorrect combnation. Any suggestion will be helpful.

 

[Abdulhaq]

Sorry it should be 8gb +1 Gb and not 8gb+2gb

 

[InuNacho]

I've run mix matched combos for years in both MacOS and Windows. For a while I had 24GB of ram in my old Mac Pro, 2x 8GB and 2x 4GB.
It'll work.

 

[mdgm]

The discrete graphics card is known to have high failure rates. Unfortunately it is soldered on in the Mini.

 

[Abdulhaq]

I've run mix matched combos for years in both MacOS and Windows. For a while I had 24GB of ram in my old Mac Pro, 2x 8GB and 2x 4GB.
It'll work.

The discrete graphics card is known to have high failure rates. Unfortunately it is soldered on in the Mini.

I have got it repaired for the last time. I am now using a temperature monitor which gives an alarm if the the temp. is above 95 degrees centigrade. So far it is working fine when using the mac mini connected to my 65 inches TV for checking emails, playing videos and playing TV shows.If temperature is controlled it may last forever.

 

[mdgm]

You can use software such as Macs Fan Control to get the fans to go full speed if the GPU goes above a temperature that you feel is safe.

 

[Abdulhaq]

Thanks.