Does RAM need to be upgraded in pairs?

[Macclone]

Been a while since I have had to do a RAM upgrade. Does the mini require paired RAM? I would like to just get an 8G stick for now and take it to 10 total.

 

[xlii]

Been a while since I have had to do a RAM upgrade. Does the mini require paired RAM? I would like to just get an 8G stick for now and take it to 10 total.

It doesn't need to be but your performance will be better if you use matching pairs. At the price of 8 GB ($45) or 16 GB ($80) it is very affordable and the very best upgrade for the price you can do to your machine.

 

[philipma1957]

Been a while since I have had to do a RAM upgrade. Does the mini require paired RAM? I would like to just get an 8G stick for now and take it to 10 total.

this will work

It doesn't need to be but your performance will be better if you use matching pairs. At the price of 8 GB ($45) or 16 GB ($80) it is very affordable and the very best upgrade for the price you can do to your machine.

this is less true then it appears. (but more true then not)

if the op uses 8.5gb ram to 9.5gb a lot his idea of 2 = 8 = 10 is better then 4 + 4 = 8 .

of course if the op use 4gb tp 7.5gb a lot 4 + 4 = 8 is better. and if the op uses more then 10 bg ram 8 + 8 is better.

myself I have 4 + 4 and an ssd in a t-bolt which is fine.

there is a down side to 2 + 8 if ram goes up in price and more ram is needed in the future, op may regret buying only 1 8gb stick

 

[Micky Do]

I asked the local Apple shop to upgrade my early 2009 Mini from 1 GB of RAM to 4GB. They simply installed 4 GB alongside the original 1 GB, so now it has 1GB + 4 GB = 5 GB, and works just fine.