Any drawback of using 16 GB RAM vs 8 GB?

[davidg4781]

I have a 2011 mini, 2.5 Ghz, and I need to upgrade my RAM. Right now if I'm doing any multiple tasks I'm definitely in yellow and sometimes red memory pressure, along with a decrease in performance.

When I upgraded my MBP to 8 GB, I remember choosing that over 16 because 16 wasn't officially supported and would use more power, along with the increase in expense.

With the mini, I think I saw only a $30 difference of 16 over 8, which is very doable for me. Since I don't have to worry about battery life, would the 16 GB be best?

I'm going to be doing some video editing soon and 4 GB will not cut it.

 

[fhall1]

As long as the machine supports it, there's no machine degradation if you install 16GB vs. 8GB. The more RAM, the better.

 

[mlovergaard]

I agree, the more the better, and if you can add an SSD then I would do that too.

 

[MacVibe]

Only drawback I know of is it requires bigger hibernation space which can be a problem if you have a small SSD.

 

[davidg4781]

Ahh yes. I need to maybe look at SSD prices. I passed on them previously since I'd definitely need an external storage solution. But I guess I can use my internal drive since it obviously holds everything I need.

I'll have to do some research on TRIM and all that. I read a bit about SSDs need garbage collectors to clean them up. MacSale's do this but are more expensive than standard bare SSDs. I think this is all correct.

 

[jbarley]

Only drawback I know of is it requires bigger hibernation space which can be a problem if you have a small SSD.

The "SleepImage" file is easily removed and prevented.

 

[Weaselboy]

I'll have to do some research on TRIM and all that. I read a bit about SSDs need garbage collectors to clean them up. MacSale's do this but are more expensive than standard bare SSDs. I think this is all correct.

There is no need to pay extra for OWC's drives. Just grab whatever brand drive you like and install the El Capitan the enable TRIM with the Terminal command "sudo trimforce enable" and you are done.

OWC has people convinced their drives are better because they use Sandforce controllers with their own garbage collection. The truth is any SSD you buy has garbage collection and OS X now natively supports TRIM with that command so there is zero reason to pay more for a OWC drive.

Right now the Samsung EVO 850 and Crucial MX200 drives are pretty good bang for the buck and can be widely found.