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AT0MAC
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Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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 Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:11 am Post subject: 2011 Mac Mini 8GB or 16GB RAM? |
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Im close to upgrading from a 2010 Mac Mini Server to the i7 dual core Mac Mini 2011.
Been watching many videos on YouTube of people upgrading these machines with SSDs and more RAM, but the thing is - how much RAM can it actually benefit from?
My first Mac Mini was the 2007 2.1 model wich had a limited 3GB beneficial size, when you put in 4GB. But because you did so with two identical 2GB modules it ran in DualChannel mode and not single channel as a 1+2GB module would.
For short, the question is:
The 2011 Mac Mini, is there any difference in putting in 8 GB RAM or 16 GB RAM?
Can it see and use all 16 GB or is there any other benefits from doing that even if it only uses the 8 GB?
On Apples own support site it writes that only 8GB is supported in the machine...
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:apple: Mac Mini DualCore i7 :: 2.7GHz :: 2x4GB DDR1867 :: 2x Intel520 240GB SSD for total 480GB :: Radeon HD 6630m :: Dell 2209WA :: Razer Mamba 2012 :: Apple Alu wired US keyboard w/ iSkin ProTouch black :: |
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mdgm
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Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 319
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| Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:25 am Post subject: Re: 2011 Mac Mini 8GB or 16GB RAM? |
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Apple has a long history of advertising maximum memory that machines can take as half or less of the true maximum on many machines. A good list of such cases is at http://macsales.com/maxram
16GB (2x8GB modules) will work in the 2011 Mini and you can use all that RAM (though some will be used for graphics, I think). If 8GB RAM isn't enough for you it's well worth it. No more RAM is used for graphics when you have 16GB RAM than with 8GB RAM, so you can use the full extra 8GB RAM for running your apps etc. The prices are starting to get to the point where 16GB RAM is quite affordable.
philiparcario has tested a lot of 8GB modules and hasn't found an incompatible one yet I think.
_________________
Laptop - 2012 15" base rMBP with 16GB RAM
HTPC - 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (Early 09), 120GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
Another Mini - 2.53Ghz Mac Mini (Late 09), 320GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
2011 Mini Server
NAS - 10 x ReadyNAS units |
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AT0MAC
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Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: 2011 Mac Mini 8GB or 16GB RAM? |
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| mdgm wrote: | Apple has a long history of advertising maximum memory that machines can take as half or less of the true maximum on many machines. A good list of such cases is at http://macsales.com/maxram
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Nice, didn't know there was such a list 
...funny to see they used the good old Mac Mini icon for the iBooks too heheh
...and by the way, what happened to the Mac Mini mid-2010 in their list?
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:apple: Mac Mini DualCore i7 :: 2.7GHz :: 2x4GB DDR1867 :: 2x Intel520 240GB SSD for total 480GB :: Radeon HD 6630m :: Dell 2209WA :: Razer Mamba 2012 :: Apple Alu wired US keyboard w/ iSkin ProTouch black :: |
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mdgm
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Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 319
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:00 am Post subject: Re: 2011 Mac Mini 8GB or 16GB RAM? |
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The Mac Mini 2010 was sold with 8GB RAM (2x4GB) from the factory. This is the limit for this model.
The MaxRAM list only includes models that shipped from the factory with less that the maximum RAM the model truly can handle.
_________________
Laptop - 2012 15" base rMBP with 16GB RAM
HTPC - 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (Early 09), 120GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
Another Mini - 2.53Ghz Mac Mini (Late 09), 320GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
2011 Mini Server
NAS - 10 x ReadyNAS units |
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AT0MAC
Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:58 am Post subject: Re: 2011 Mac Mini 8GB or 16GB RAM? |
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| mdgm wrote: | The Mac Mini 2010 was sold with 8GB RAM (2x4GB) from the factory. This is the limit for this model.
The MaxRAM list only includes models that shipped from the factory with less that the maximum RAM the model truly can handle. |
Makes more sense now, still I like their iBook error 
Thank you for the answers, this topic is already over replied :p
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:apple: Mac Mini DualCore i7 :: 2.7GHz :: 2x4GB DDR1867 :: 2x Intel520 240GB SSD for total 480GB :: Radeon HD 6630m :: Dell 2209WA :: Razer Mamba 2012 :: Apple Alu wired US keyboard w/ iSkin ProTouch black :: |
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macmanmacman
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Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 1691
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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Did anyone miss the first post...
He wasn't asking about a 2010 mini he was going to a 2011 mini nd wanted to know if upgrading to 16 gig's of ram would be better because that model supports it. |
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Smithcraft
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Joined: 09 Nov 2008
Posts: 3031
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| macmanmacman wrote: | | Did anyone miss the first post.... |
Did you miss the second post?
SC
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Grumpy old man of computing.
[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8
[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)
Make sure it has pins! |
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philiparcario
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Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 4570
Location: Howell NJ USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:28 am Post subject: |
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here is a deal for 16gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144555
69 bucks a stick 138 total and 2 free camera cards
I have had 6 of these sticks 5 passed rember test 1 stick was bad. newegg sent me a replacement stick.
if you buy the 16gb ram test it with this
http://kelleycomputing.net/rember/
These sticks came out at 1300 for a pair last year. owc had them at that price
now on sale for 139 a pair. so far I have used 30 sticks from different companies
the geil did have a bad stick but the price is good. you can pay more if you want buy these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148469
I was 4 for 4 with these.
just remember to use rember with any one you buy.
newegg will replace if your return them quickly so install and test.
_________________
2010 Mm 2.4 C2D oem 320gb hdd 8gb ram
2012Mm base 2.5 with 16gb ram diy fusion drive
2012Mm quad with 8gb ram oem 1tb hdd
promise pegasus r6 3x 3tb + 3x 4tb =21tb hdds
lacie little big disk 2x 512gb ssds
synology 2tb disk station |
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mdgm
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Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 319
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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The RAM for the 2011 Mac Mini is the same as for the 2011 MBP
Was $1599.99 USD shortly after release of early 2011 MBPs: http://blog.macsales.com/9283-owc-announces-industry’s-first-16gb-ram-upgrade-for-latest-apple-macbook-pro-models
The deal Philip mentions is very good. 16GB RAM is very affordable now.
Edit: fixed mistake.
_________________
Laptop - 2012 15" base rMBP with 16GB RAM
HTPC - 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (Early 09), 120GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
Another Mini - 2.53Ghz Mac Mini (Late 09), 320GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
2011 Mini Server
NAS - 10 x ReadyNAS units
Last edited by mdgm on Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5805
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| mdgm wrote: | | The RAM for the 2011 Mac Mini is the same as for the 2010 Mac Mini. |
No it isn't.
2010 1066MHz
2011 1333MHz
I didn't read the entire thread, but I noticed this comment. |
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mdgm
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Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 319
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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Whoops I meant to say 2011 MBP (hopefully clear from the link I gave). Thanks for picking this up.
_________________
Laptop - 2012 15" base rMBP with 16GB RAM
HTPC - 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (Early 09), 120GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
Another Mini - 2.53Ghz Mac Mini (Late 09), 320GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
2011 Mini Server
NAS - 10 x ReadyNAS units |
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philiparcario
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Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 4570
Location: Howell NJ USA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Bandit Bill wrote: | | mdgm wrote: | | The RAM for the 2011 Mac Mini is the same as for the 2010 Mac Mini. |
No it isn't.
2010 1066MHz
2011 1333MHz
I didn't read the entire thread, but I noticed this comment. |
the new mini uses up to 16 gb ram but it is very tolerant of the speed. I have used 1066 1333 and 1600
in 2gb to 16 gb for the 1333
in 8gb(2x4) for the 1066
and in 8gb(2x4) for the 1600
The sandy bridge cpu is a really good cpu.
the i5 or the quad core are good.
personally I don't like the graphics of any of the 4 minis.
I would just love to say apple is to efffing stubborn about graphics.
I finally broke down and built a 1k pc basically because the only legal way to have a good gpu along with blu ray and my 46 inch tv is use a mac pro with a 5870 gpu cost of 2.5k.
The 1k pc and a 600 dollar base mini together save me about a thousand. I run the mini with fusion windows and lion in unity mode. this allows the pc to talk to the mini no problem.. I save about a grand and the 1k pc is better then my 2.5k mac pro was at running windows.
_________________
2010 Mm 2.4 C2D oem 320gb hdd 8gb ram
2012Mm base 2.5 with 16gb ram diy fusion drive
2012Mm quad with 8gb ram oem 1tb hdd
promise pegasus r6 3x 3tb + 3x 4tb =21tb hdds
lacie little big disk 2x 512gb ssds
synology 2tb disk station |
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AT0MAC
Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:20 pm Post subject: a new question |
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Is it better to have more RAM (16gb) than faster RAM (8gb DDR3 1600)??
Also, what happens if I buy two sepperate 8gb sticks of same brand and type, will there be any difference compared to true dual channel RAM??
_________________
:apple: Mac Mini DualCore i7 :: 2.7GHz :: 2x4GB DDR1867 :: 2x Intel520 240GB SSD for total 480GB :: Radeon HD 6630m :: Dell 2209WA :: Razer Mamba 2012 :: Apple Alu wired US keyboard w/ iSkin ProTouch black :: |
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philiparcario
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Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 4570
Location: Howell NJ USA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: Re: a new question |
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| AT0MAC wrote: | Is it better to have more RAM (16gb) than faster RAM (8gb DDR3 1600)??
Also, what happens if I buy two sepperate 8gb sticks of same brand and type, will there be any difference compared to true dual channel RAM?? |
faster ram
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-Notebook-KHX1600C9S3P1K2-8G/dp/B004Y4XAAK/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1330862124&sr=8-12
I use this in one mini the base model. I get a slightly higher graphics result. a plus but work that will use more the 8gb ram causes page outs and swaps.
BTW this is the only ram that will work at the 1600 mhz as it is plug and play.= (not sure this is true)
you can mix the 8gb sticks I have used them with 1gb 2gb 4gb and 8gb sticks of the same and of different brands. All had 1333mhz in common. once again all combos worked. these sandy bridge minis are not fussy or picky with ram. now asking if there will be a difference as compared to true dual channel is hard to answer. not much if any. the 8gb sticks are more about how much data before a pageout.
BTW putting in an ssd make pageouts and swaps less painful. Because an ssd is really fast on small random files as compared to the stock hdd.
since I have both 1600 ram with an 8gb total and i have 1333 ram with a 16gb total . I can see very little difference . one more thing on my base mini with the 8gb 1600 total ram I use an intel ssd so if a get a page out or a swap no big loss of speed.
my page ins on the base mini are 2.57gb
page outs are 600kb
swap is 1.1 mb
both page out and swap are under .1 percent of page in this means no real loss of speed. plus the shortage goes over to an ssd not a hdd.
_________________
2010 Mm 2.4 C2D oem 320gb hdd 8gb ram
2012Mm base 2.5 with 16gb ram diy fusion drive
2012Mm quad with 8gb ram oem 1tb hdd
promise pegasus r6 3x 3tb + 3x 4tb =21tb hdds
lacie little big disk 2x 512gb ssds
synology 2tb disk station |
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AT0MAC
Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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| Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 10:48 am Post subject: |
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I found this on Crucial's website:
Module Size: 16GB kit (8GBx2)
Package: 204-pin SODIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 •
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=FC180A2CA5CA7304
They sound perfect for my new setup, but there is not many retailers of this set... Specially here in europe (I'm from Denmark) were I so far only have found it in Crucials own french webstore.
Would that set work nicely in a Mac Mini 2011 i7??
As I can see the speed a higher but the voltage lower than stock memory.
_________________
:apple: Mac Mini DualCore i7 :: 2.7GHz :: 2x4GB DDR1867 :: 2x Intel520 240GB SSD for total 480GB :: Radeon HD 6630m :: Dell 2209WA :: Razer Mamba 2012 :: Apple Alu wired US keyboard w/ iSkin ProTouch black :: |
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