Will this Lexar RAM work in 2018 Mac mini?

[smoothbit]

This RAM should work correctly in a 2018 Mac mini, right?

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0D25CRRPW

MacTracker lists the specifications as "260-pin PC4-21300 (2666 MHz) DDR4 SO-DIMM", and as I understand it the 3200 MHz RAM should simply downclock to 2666 MHz.

34€ is considerably cheaper than other 16GB kits I found, so I just want to check I'm not missing something.

 

[kodabear]

I don't have any experience with Lexar Ram. I do with some of their other products like memory cards. Never had any problems until Lexar sold and under new ownership the quality went down. Memory cards and their card readers would get extremely hot when used in the newer mirrorless cameras. Bottom line, this is just my experience and other people may have similar experience or have nothing but good to say about Lexar but thought I should let you know my experiences. It's your decision but personally I would consider other brands like Samsung which I believe is one brand that Apple uses in their computers.

 

[smoothbit]

Ah likewise, I've used Lexar SD cards long ago but didn't even know they made RAM until seeing this kit on Amazon. And so, I could get these Crucial ones used for 32€, I've used Crucial RAM many times in previous computers:

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08C4WV6FT

But so, I was asking about the Lexar RAM more to confirm it had the correct specifications, I didn't want to buy incompatible RAM.

 

[gilby101]

Suggest:
1) Get the supplier to guarantee it works in your Mini and that you will return it for refund if it doesn't work.
2) Minimise your risk by getting RAM matched to your Mini. Get 2666MHz from vendor known to work with Macs - e.g. Crucial (but match carefully) or OWC.
3) Minimise risk by using a matched pair - same manufacturer, same size and spec (I think this what you are intending).

My preference would be https://www.amazon.de/-/en/OWC-Upgr...cial+mac+minin+2018,computers,399&sr=1-7&th=1

 

[smoothbit]

Suggest:
1) Get the supplier to guarantee it works in your Mini and that you will return it for refund if it doesn't work.
2) Minimise your risk by getting RAM matched to your Mini. Get 2666MHz from vendor known to work with Macs - e.g. Crucial (but match carefully) or OWC.
3) Minimise risk by using a matched pair - same manufacturer, same size and spec (I think this what you are intending).

My preference would be https://www.amazon.de/-/en/OWC-Upgrade-SO-DIMMs-2017-2020-Compatible/dp/B07PRJGW53?crid=1WNIIM34NJI0Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zJ2tahJgzmJ9SASCJJX03bI3CrpCANsQGRXdRdV0KzKe6lA6o6OeXQNla2V5rdC_frrI6YigwIEMDWM2mbLDFzHe_LIuW4jdcNiQvo9O4Up9FNWitbtJ2hFeoPBp7FslBLxiRjZ4mMl5Y7L_dZbXTLLu4UnpshG-1wEI9dd--IijrUuHu7JeQoa87g8qLa_M0Zm0n66Up_menvaoPsck5_8vpjNA9CZVxULpt6HCf4piOj1BKJ-8y3Tf2tlknzu_wAv9jC3X1XcSpJbDwGoB8MDkvsJKXlkeBbNCyfXVoNs.RUNyCb-TpTG5vBP7PodIxwqi7smnoOKmgMD5GBmAkWQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=crucial+mac+mini+2018&s=computers&sprefix=crucial+mac+minin+2018,computers,399&sr=1-7&th=1

Since I'll probably buy the RAM from Amazon, returning it won't be an issue if it's incompatible, it's just that swapping RAM in the 2018 Mac mini isn't as easy as on older MacBooks, so I'd like to avoid needing to do that more than once if possible. And as you say, a matched pair of 8GB sticks is what I intend to get, Crucial have treated me right in the past so I may as well buy the used sticks from them 👍

 

[frou]

No matter what brand RAM you get, make a USB bootable for Memtest86 and run that overnight after installing the RAM, to validate that it isn't defective.

I've had defective memory in Mini 2018's more than once, and you really want to know about it sooner rather than later!

 

[smoothbit]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've downloaded it and will do so 👍 Back on my iBook G3 I remember running the Apple Hardware Test to check out new RAM, but I don't think I've done that since then 😮 Do you know if the 2018 Mac mini be booted while all the bits are outside the case? Or are there sensors that prevent that from happening?

 

[gilby101]

Back on my iBook G3 I remember running the Apple Hardware Test to check out new RAM, but I don't think I've done that since then

That test does little more than checking that the RAM is as expected. You really do need memtest if there is any doubt. For me it was the only way to sort out an issue with a pair of RAM sticks I got for my 2019 iMac.