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Guide to replacing RAM in a 2018 Mac Mini

Fishrrman

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,201
13,256
NYC wrote:
"Does anyone know which slot to put a 16gb module? Does it matter? I bought the single one"

I'd take the top 8gb out and put the 16gb in its place.
I'd leave the bottom 8gb where it is.

Now you have 24gb.
Might be all you ever need.
 
N

NYCVB

macrumors member
Nov 7, 2016
52
32
Fishrrman said:
NYC wrote:
"Does anyone know which slot to put a 16gb module? Does it matter? I bought the single one"

I'd take the top 8gb out and put the 16gb in its place.
I'd leave the bottom 8gb where it is.

Now you have 24gb.
Might be all you ever need.
Click to expand...

Is that an option? I thought that ram had to match?
 
Fishrrman

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,201
13,256
"Is that an option? I thought that ram had to match?"

No, I don't believe the RAM has to "match, size-wise".

However, having two "differently sized" RAM DIMMs -might- cause a small slowdown. However, the "slowdown" will probably be so small that it will be imperceptible to the user.

Personal experience:
I have a 2012 Mini that came with 4gb of RAM (2x2).
I bought ONE 8gb DIMM, took the topmost DIMM out and replaced it with the 8gb, for 10gb installed (2x8).
Runs great.
 
E

ElectronGuru

macrumors 68000
Sep 5, 2013
1,656
490
Oregon, USA
More ram = more speed, so slower than 2/16 but probably not slower than stock. ranked slow to fast probably looks like this:

Small matched
Big unmatched
Big matched

That said, the gpu also uses this ram, so there are 2 implication layers
 
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N

NYCVB

macrumors member
Nov 7, 2016
52
32
Something seems to have gone wrong...I installed it correctly as far as I could tell, my system report shoes Bank 0/ChannelA-Dimm0 as empty, and Bank 2/ChannelB-Dimmo as 4gb.

Could it be possible that I need to install the larger ram on bank 2? Or I am wondering if perhaps I somehow didn't line the ramp up correctly...though it did click into place.
 
Fishrrman

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,201
13,256
NYC wrote:
"Something seems to have gone wrong...I installed it correctly as far as I could tell, my system report shoes Bank 0/ChannelA-Dimm0 as empty, and Bank 2/ChannelB-Dimmo as 4gb.
Could it be possible that I need to install the larger ram on bank 2?"

You have the 2018 Mini, is this correct?

Since you're probably the first user who has tried to manually upgrade the RAM with different-sized DIMMs, perhaps your experience indicates that this doesn't work with the 2018 Minis. Perhaps they DO require 2 "matched DIMMs" to work at all.

There hasn't been enough "user experience input" yet to know.

You currently have in your possession 2 4gb DIMMs and 1 16gb DIMM, is this correct?

In that case, what I would try next:
a. Put the 16gb in top slot, leave bottom slot empty. Does it boot and run that way?
if no,
b. Put the 16gb in bottom slot, leave top slot empty. Does it boot and run that way?
if no,
c. Put the 2 4gb DIMMs back in, and either keep the 16gb DIMM "for future use", or return it.
 
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NYCVB

macrumors member
Nov 7, 2016
52
32
Fishrrman said:
NYC wrote:
"Something seems to have gone wrong...I installed it correctly as far as I could tell, my system report shoes Bank 0/ChannelA-Dimm0 as empty, and Bank 2/ChannelB-Dimmo as 4gb.
Could it be possible that I need to install the larger ram on bank 2?"

You have the 2018 Mini, is this correct?

Since you're probably the first user who has tried to manually upgrade the RAM with different-sized DIMMs, perhaps your experience indicates that this doesn't work with the 2018 Minis. Perhaps they DO require 2 "matched DIMMs" to work at all.

There hasn't been enough "user experience input" yet to know.

You currently have in your possession 2 4gb DIMMs and 1 16gb DIMM, is this correct?

In that case, what I would try next:
a. Put the 16gb in top slot, leave bottom slot empty. Does it boot and run that way?
if no,
b. Put the 16gb in bottom slot, leave top slot empty. Does it boot and run that way?
if no,
c. Put the 2 4gb DIMMs back in, and either keep the 16gb DIMM "for future use", or return it.
Click to expand...

I'll do that today, at least option A and B. I'll buy a 2nd 16gb before I try and use 8gb ram again...that's the main reason I upgraded to a Mac mini, I have a ton of apps open all the time for work purposes...
 
N

NYCVB

macrumors member
Nov 7, 2016
52
32
Update. I removed the existing 4GB ram and installed the 16GB ram in that slot. It worked. I have 16GB ram showing now. I did not test the other options, happy for now and will most likely upgrade to 32GB ram at some point if I notice any slowing down with multiple apps open.
 
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bugout

macrumors 6502a
May 11, 2008
721
40
is everything!

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Gherkin

macrumors 6502a
Apr 9, 2004
682
310
would everyone recommend I at least turn the Mini on once and set things up, THEN install my RAM?

I'm thinking that way if there's some issue I can still return it. If I upgrade the RAM before even turning it on, if there's a problem then Apple could refuse to service it under warranty.
 
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Jorbanead

Jorbanead

macrumors 65816
Aug 31, 2018
1,209
1,438
Gherkin said:
would everyone recommend I at least turn the Mini on once and set things up, THEN install my RAM?

I'm thinking that way if there's some issue I can still return it. If I upgrade the RAM before even turning it on, if there's a problem then Apple could refuse to service it under warranty.
Click to expand...

Not a bad idea. It’s certainly another safety step to ensure your mini works properly right out of the box. This is my plan when my mini arrives next week - I bought the 8gb i7 and I’m upgrading to 32gb after I setup the machine.

Just give it a few seconds to discharge once it’s been powered down, and make sure to ground yourself before opening up the mini.
 
G

Gherkin

macrumors 6502a
Apr 9, 2004
682
310
Jorbanead said:
Not a bad idea. It’s certainly another safety step to ensure your mini works properly right out of the box. This is my plan when my mini arrives next week - I bought the 8gb i7 and I’m upgrading to 32gb after I setup the machine.

Just give it a few seconds to discharge once it’s been powered down, and make sure to ground yourself before opening up the mini.
Click to expand...

Same set-up here... i7 with 128 GB SSD. Adding 32 GB RAM plus bought a 1 TB external SSD.

also I don't have an anti-static wrist strap, but the room I'm doing this in is hardwood floor and on a wooden desk... so I'm thinking I'm good if I just touch the case of the Mini and then basically sitting still and working in the same spot during the duration of the RAM replacement.
 
G

Gherkin

macrumors 6502a
Apr 9, 2004
682
310
Got my new RAM in last night.

Everything was pretty straightforward and I'm up and running.

IMO the worst part by far as someone that doesn't really tinker inside computers was actually seating the new RAM sticks. Whenever I spread the plastic things apart to push the RAM sticks up, the one plastic cover popped off and I thought I broke the metal brackets. Then pushing the RAM back down to click in place was awkward as well. I eventually did it by removing the plastic covers from the brackets entirely, seating the RAM, pushing down and snapping into place, and then putting the plastic covers back on.

and of course my internet was flaky as hell last night so I was all paranoid that I didn't connect the Wifi cable correctly, but it seems it was just my internet in general as my phone and other laptop were slow as well.
 
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Gherkin

macrumors 6502a
Apr 9, 2004
682
310
so I'm not sure if I messed my Wifi up when installing the RAM or if my router/modem is flaky?

Wifi says I have full strength in my office. Modem is in the adjacent room. I'm getting at best 5 Mbps in the office. If I move the Mini right next to the router, it's fast... like 50 Mbps.

My phone in the office is kind of all over the place. One run will give me 25 Mbps... next one 10. It's kinda random. But never as slow as the Mini.

I just reopened the case and the wifi cable is snugly attached.

I'm thinking if it WASN'T snug or I strained the cable and pulled it out on the other end possibly, it wouldn't be showing me full Wifi strength in the office, right?

I guess I'm going to take my Mini into work tomorrow and see what happens when I connect to my work's Wifi.
[doublepost=1542778758][/doublepost]If I turn bluetooth off I'm getting slightly faster speeds. Not crazy faster but like 7 Mbps compared to 1 or less typically with it on...
 
Last edited:
M

MrSkoTA

macrumors regular
Mar 22, 2010
137
121
Charlesje said:
I took the same memory as I saw in the thread starter’s guide, so didn’t check further. Just thought crucial would be fine. oowever at 2400 mhz in geekbench it seems to perform fine (better latency and little lower bandwoth then other scores it seems). I wonder if other Ballistix sport upgraders have the same problem.
Click to expand...

I have this going on. Just upgraded and noticed it myself. 2400Mhz same exact model memory. I should have looked here first. I actually paid an AASP to do mine as that is the only way it will stay covered under warranty. They only charged $59US.
 
B

briantium

macrumors newbie
Feb 20, 2019
2
0
Question: I have a pair of 16GB 2400mhz SODIMM DDR4 ram (Crucial), and I want to double check that it will work on the 2018 Mac Mini; it'd be easier for me just to use those instead of buying a set of 2666MHz ram, but I want to make sure they will work. Thanks.


thoang77 said:
I posted this over in the big thread discussing whether or not the RAM in a 2018 Mac Mini is user replaceable, but since it might get lost over time, I thought I'd share it as it's own thread.

Here's a write up I did on how to replace/upgrade the memory inside a 2018 Mac Mini

http://trunghoangphotography.com/for-photographers/how-to-replace-the-ram-in-a-2018-mac-mini

Hope it's of some use, at least until the folks over at ifixit do a nice detailed guide on it.
Click to expand...
 
T

thoang77

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 6, 2010
66
118
SF Bay Area
briantium said:
Question: I have a pair of 16GB 2400mhz SODIMM DDR4 ram (Crucial), and I want to double check that it will work on the 2018 Mac Mini; it'd be easier for me just to use those instead of buying a set of 2666MHz ram, but I want to make sure they will work. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you haven't done it already, it'll work fine. I don't think anyone can really tell the difference between 2400 and 2666 ram.
 
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Oculus Mentis

Oculus Mentis

macrumors regular
Sep 26, 2018
144
163
UK
I have upgraded Ram from 8GB to 32GB and I can't believe how much faster the UI is on my Cinema 30" Display at 2560×1600.
 
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