Will more RAM help

[Cicnod]

I currently own a 3Ghz Mac mini 2018 with 16GB RAM.

Mostly open are Outlook, Mail, Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Calendar, Messages, and Safari at any given time. I have two 32" monitors that I use with this setup as well. When I work on large excel files (30MB with tens of thousands of lines) and go back and forth between lines and different tabs it is a little laggy. Would adding more RAM help with this? Powerpoint presentation is about 800MB in size

 

[Cookie18]

First, check how much RAM you are using and where. I'd recommend the Mac App Store app "Memory Diag" as it can be placed in the top right of your menu bar for live feedback. Check how much RAM it says you have free while running your regular workload, then check how much is in your "cache". This will give us an idea of whether or not the RAM is the issue.

 

[Cicnod]

As of right now doing these things 65-80MB Free, App Memory 5.75GB, Compressed 2.07GB, Wired Memory 3.74GB, Cache 4.07GB

 

[Cookie18]

As of right now doing these things 65-80MB Free, App Memory 5.75GB, Compressed 2.07GB, Wired Memory 3.74GB, Cache 4.07GB

I forgot to mention but I assume the "pressure" is "low" based on the numbers you provided, is that correct?

I'm going to assume yes for now, your RAM doesn't seem to be the issue. Although you don't have much "free" RAM that's because of how MAC OS utilises RAM. It's when there is little "free" RAM available and the "cache" is almost empty that you know it is a problem.

I had the i3 Mini but I switched it to the i5 because I had issues with the type of workloads you mentioned. I also wasn't sure if it was the processor or the RAM but it turned out to be the processor not being able to keep up. The i3 is a relatively lightweight processor.

 

[Cicnod]

Yeah mine is already the i5. It is not horrible but it is not smooth either

 

[Cookie18]

Yeah mine is already the i5. It is not horrible but it is not smooth either

Sorry, my mistake. I misread your original post. Mine is completely smooth with a similar workload. What resolution are your monitors?

 

[Cicnod]

They are in looks like 2560x1440 each. As I said not horrible, just a little laggy when clicking tabs and what not

 

[Cookie18]

But what is the original resolution of the monitors?

 

[Fishrrman]

Cookie has a point in reply 8 above.

If "2560x1440" is not the NATIVE resolution of the displays,
and
If you are running both of them in "scaled mode"
then
That could cause some lags, very much so.

We need to know:
a. Which displays you have (manufacturer & model)
b. What the native resolution is on each
c. What the resolution you are running is (on each).

 

[Cicnod]

I have 2 x Samsung U32J59X - Native resolution 3840x2160. but I run them in 2560 x1440 and would like to keep them running at this. Adding more RAM is an option if that would help with keeping them at that resolution

 

[Boyd01]

There's a long thread about similar problems, I haven't followed it too closely but you might want to have a look

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

 

[Cookie18]

I have 2 x Samsung U32J59X - Native resolution 3840x2160. but I run them in 2560 x1440 and would like to keep them running at this. Adding more RAM is an option if that would help with keeping them at that resolution

Ok, the difference between our set ups and why mine is ok seems apparent. Although I have pretty much the same workload as you I’m running one 4K monitor at looks like 1440p and one 1080p/144hz monitor which doesn’t require any scaling.

Check the thread posted above but I personally haven’t heard of people having issues if they have 16GB of RAM. It’s generally 8GB that is the issue. You could look into a cheap external GPU which would take the load of running the monitors off of your Mini. A person in another thread was able to get a Sonnet puck for about $200, which is about $50 more than what a 32GB upgrade would cost you. They did get it from a local Facebook sale though so you might have a different experience.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I have 2 x Samsung U32J59X - Native resolution 3840x2160. but I run them in 2560 x1440 and would like to keep them running at this. Adding more RAM is an option if that would help with keeping them at that resolution"

Well, I'm going to say "there's your problem".
Running those displays in "scaled mode" is probably weighing VERY heavily on the Mini's built-in graphics.
Thus, "the lags".

My prediction:
Adding RAM probably won't help.
Changing resolutions WILL.

Suggestion:
Try -- just TRY -- running both of them in 1080p for a day or two.
Then get back to us.
If you want displays in 2560x1440 that "snap", my recommendation is to buy NATIVE 1440p (QHD) 32" displays and use those...

 

[IngerMan]

I see OWC has a special going for Ram on the 2x16GB of ram for the 2018 MM for $119.76. I have Apple original 16GB and they give a $40 rebate for that. My net cost is $80 going from 16GB to 32GB, I could not resist.

Memory Upgrade for Apple Mac mini 2018

Upgrade the memory of the 2018 Mac mini up to 64GB through OWC, and save up to $800 vs upgrading through Apple. Includes step-by-step install videos.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Cicnod]

I see OWC has a special going for Ram on the 2x16GB of ram for the 2018 MM for $119.76. I have Apple original 16GB and they give a $40 rebate for that. My net cost is $80 going from 16GB to 32GB, I could not resist.

Memory Upgrade for Apple Mac mini 2018

Upgrade the memory of the 2018 Mac mini up to 64GB through OWC, and save up to $800 vs upgrading through Apple. Includes step-by-step install videos.

eshop.macsales.com

Just did the same